The only VMAs looks you need to see this morning

Last night saw a host of the music industry’s biggest stars descend on New Jersey for the 2019 MTV VMAs and a night of wild performances (Missy: we’re looking at you), meme-worthy moments, and, of course, some serious lewks.

But then, given the VMA red carpet was the place that blessed us with Rose McGowan’s scandalous 1998 dress, Lil’ Kim’s unforgettable 1999 asymmetric look, Gaga’s meat gown, and that iconic denim moment courtesy of Britney and Justin, you already knew that. 

While 2018 won’t be going down in the pop culture history books (unless they decide to dedicate an entire chapter to Cardi B and Cardi B alone), this year the event was back on track as the likes of Lil Nas X, Lizzo, and Queen FKA twigs showed all the way up when it came to their sartorial choices. 

Here’s our pick of those doing it best.

LIL NAS X

When you’ve got the rodeo at six, but you’ve got to be at Studio 54 for nine… Dazed’s current cover boy and all-round Wild West wunderkind turned up to the VMAs in a custom look by New York designer Christian Cowan, channelling some heavy Prince vibes in a glittering silver suit and a romantic ruffled lace shirt. Later, the singer scooped the ‘Best Song’ award for “Old Town Road” (duh!) in a red embellished Western suit and Stetson, before performing “Panini” in a futuristic, space cowboy-esque look. Yee (and I cannot stress this enough) HAW.

LIZZO

I mean come on, you didn’t think Lizzo wasn’t going to make it on to the list, did you? The singer made her entrance wearing a red, floor-length sequined gown emblazoned with the word ‘Siren’ (accurate) and a matching feather boa, as designed by Jeremy Scott for Moschino, before changing into a yellow bodysuit for her performance of “Truth Hurts” and “Good As Hell” in front of a massive butt-shaped balloon. This is Lizzo's world: we're all just living in it.

BELLA HADID

We cannot help but stan a queen who supports and spotlights young, emerging talent on the red carpet, so you can imagine our excitement when we saw Bella had opted for an uber-sexy, lingerie-inspired look by rising London designer and former Fashion East family member Charlotte Knowles. 

FKA TWIGS

Just a week after we outlined her as a pioneer of a new era of pirate-y dressing (otherwise known as the Ahoy Agenda), FKA twigs landed on the red carpet in yet another iconic look. As styled by longtime collaborator Matthew Josephs, the asymmetric dress and accompanying tapestry jacket were the work of designer Ed Marler. In case you’re wondering, ‘The Lady and the Unicorn’ tapestry, on which the jacket was based, is a series of six pieces considered one of the greatest works of art of the Middle Ages: apt given twigs proves time and time again that she’s actually living, breathing art. 

MISSY ELLIOTT

Having served us countless looks across the years – from her red carpet appearances to her incredible, trailblazing music videos – Missy Misdemeanour Elliott was finally paid her dues last night, as she took home the Video Vanguard VMA. After a performance that saw her mix legendary tracks “Get Your Freak On” and “Lose Control” with new bop “Throw It Back” – as dancers were beamed up into a UFO, and an all-grown up Alyson Stoner, who starred in the video for “Work It” as a kid, was brought out on stage – Missy changed into a black and gold tracksuit, custom Jennifer Fisher hoops, and a necklace saying ‘iconic’ to collect her award, because why wouldn’t she?

MARC JACOBS

Winning the Fashion Trailblazer award, Marc Jacobs showed up to the VMAs wearing a specially designed Savile Row suit. With huge shoulders and wide-legged trousers, and a pair of ruby sparkling Prada pumps to finish it all off, the designer was as avant-garde as he ever has been when it comes to red carpet dressing. Congratulations, King Marc!

JONATHAN VAN NESS 

No list of ours would be complete without mention of Jonathan Van Ness, who has spent much of the last two years obliterating gender lines on the red carpet (with a little help from the likes of Billy Porter and Cody Fern). This time around, the Queer Eye-con went for a delicate by Fang cape and Prada shoes, and we are living for it.

HONOURABLE MENTION: H.E.R. 

Paying homage to those that came before her (s/o Britney Spears), singer H.E.R. accessorised her floral jacket and wide-legged trousers look with a pretty unique finishing touch: an IRL, living, breathing, slithering snake – or, as she put it on her IG, one of her five ‘noodles’. While the move sparked some ‘animals are not accessories’ backlash, H.E.R. assured fans that the snake was a) hers, and b) chill being in such a hectic environment. Apparently said noodle wasn’t up for performing though, given it was nowhere to be seen when she took to the stage to perform new track “Anti” back to back with Normani.