Sunday, August 28th, was the 38th VMAs, and as impressive as the musical performances were, the outfits were what stood out the most on the black carpet. With the carpet in mind, we see many outfits in darker hues, such as Bella Poarch’s black lace jumpsuit by Candice Cuoco and Lil Nas X wearing Harris Reed’s latest feather-trimmed and layered crown/skirt look. We also see music groups such as BLACKPINK in several different designs but together in a collection of black dresses. Even the night’s co-host and award winner Jack Harlow wore an all-black leather look on the carpet with lug-soled leather boots. He later accepted multiple awards onstage, dressed in a black suit with standout metal-trimmed cutouts throughout the bodice.
While walking into the awards ceremony, we saw Doja Cat in burgundy thigh-high red boots and a corseted dress by Vivienne Westwood and Olivia Rodrigo in a sunset-inspired gown covered in hues of pinks to oranges with a contouring shape. Madison Beer was in a shoe string-tied cream gown, Camila Cabello in a pink and red ball gown by Alexis Mabille, and Bretman Rock wore a yellow zebra printed dress, accompanied by knee-high boots designed by Roberto Cavalli.
From the men, we saw Dylan O’Brien wear a head-to-toe festival-like patterned fit by Bode, and J Balvin arrived in a Louis Vuitton white suit. JID arrived in baggy black velvet pants and a striped shirt designed by Saint Laurent, and Ryan Castros was in red cinched parachute pants and a white puffer jacket. DJ Khaled came in a grey button-down shirt from Prada and some lime green Nike basketball shoes.
“Taylor Swift’s costume was by far my favorite one to see on the red carpet,” said junior Rodrigo Gonzalez, “the draping beads were legendary.”
After the ceremony, the VIP attendees headed to Manhattan for the afterparty at the Fleur Room in Chelsea. We saw Conan Gray in a pinstriped suit paired with platform boots and Sabrina Carpenter in a cream and black trimmed dress, paired with a headband, mesh gloves, and heels. Nicki Minaj came in a satin floor gown, Lili Reinhart wore Kat Maconie heels and a little black dress with a deep V-shaped neckline.
Music, like fashion, is a form of expression, and this year we saw both in a profounding light. Award shows such as the VMAs show us what is going on in the music industry but also provide an update on the fashion one. Overall, the award ceremony gave us a fun outlook on what is yet to come.
