From Lil Nas X and Olivia Rodrigo to Kacey Musgraves and Kim Petras, we round-up our fave looks from the night
Good evening, I’m Dominic Cadogan, reporting live from my bedroom on the 2021 VMAs so you don’t have to.
After Madame Rona scuppered last year’s event, the real deal is back this year, with live performances from Justin Bieber, Lil Nas X, Normani, Olivia Rodrigo, and more who are all set to take to the stage tonight.
Before I get into it (yuh) with Miss Doja Cat – who is hosting the night’s festivities – it’s time to pass judgement on the lewks of the night, live from the red carpet. Did everybody understand the assignment? No. But that’s not important, what we’re all here for is the people who did, wearing lewks set to join the hall of fame with fellow iconic VMAs outfits.
So, without further ado, here is the rundown of lewks worth paying attention to, courtesy of Lil Nas X, Kim Petras, Billie Eilish, and more. Special shout out to Bretman Rock, who would have made the list if his vintage Roberto Cavalli number – first worn by Aaliyah at the 2000 VMAs – hadn’t been dusted off by Paloma Elsesser earlier this year. Sorry, I don’t make the rules!
Click through the gallery below, before taking a look at BTS Polaroids by Dazed photographer Andrew Tess.
LIL NAS X WAS PROM-READY
Setting the bar high for the night, Lil Nas X stepped out in a lilac off-the-shoulder tux-cum-gown rhinestoned within an inch of its life – designed by Atelier Versace, naturally. Appearing to cosplay as Coming To America’s Randy Watson, the look has already caused controversy – not just with the rapper’s army of snooze-inducing haters – but with a red carpet interviewer, who threw unnecessary shade about it. Remember children, if you point the finger, there’s three pointing back at you.
KIM PETRAS CAME AS A FASHION-FORWARD GIMP
Arriving looking totally hot with Paris Hilton in a pink convertible, Kim Petras selected a spangled floral number from Richard Quinn’s AW21 collection for tonight’s red carpet. Just like the models in the London designer’s film, Petras donned a latex gimp mask. Perfect for when you’ve got the VMAs red carpet at 10pm, and an orgy at 11pm. Who’s bringing the poppers?
KACEY MUSGRAVES SERVED HOT COUTURE
Is it an ostrich? Is it a jellyfish? Only Philip Treacy has the answer, the mastermind behind Kacey Musgraves’ heavenly headpiece, commissioned for Valentino’s AW21 Couture collection back in July. To accompany the hat, the singer – who recently dropped her latest album star-crossed – chose a minimal dress in matching purple and red leather gloves. Classy!
AVRIL! WAS! THERE!
Question: Has Avril Lavigne aged a day since “Girlfriend”? It doesn’t look like it... Going for punk glam, everybody’s fave clone (just kidding!), chose a hot pink tartan number from Area’s Pre-Fall 2021 collection with a sexy cutout to reveal a bedazzled bra to match her purse. We’re guessing she reunited with her boo from “Sk8r Boi”, kissing boyfriend Mod Sun on the red carpet.
DOJA CAT COSPLAYED AS A VAMPY WENCH
After last year’s futuristic look, Doja Cat took us back in time for this year’s look. Before fulfilling her duties as host for the night, she donned an Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood number from the label’s AW19 collection. Paired with smoky purple eyes, and witchy jewellery, the singer looked like she scalped Dirrty-era Xtina before hitting the red carpet and I’m not mad about it.
OLIVIA RODRIGO FUELED OUR 00S OBSESSION
Keeping in line with the obsession with everything Y2K, Olivia Rodrigo opted for yet another fabulous vintage find for the red carpet. This time around, she selected a tulle-covered slinky satin number from Versace’s SS01 Couture collection accessorised with cutesy butterfly-shaped earrings that could be from Claire’s in the best way possible. The dress itself is in fact older than Miss Rodrigo, who was born in 2003. We’ll just let that sink in...
CHARLI XCX UNDERSTOOD THE ASSIGNMENT
Giving the gays exactly what they want, Charli XCX continued her journey into her hot(ter than ever) era in a barely there lacy number by Shawna Wu – serving more leg than the KFC bucket I plan to devour once this is over.
BILLIE EILISH WAS... COMFORTABLE
Nobody @ me, but I refuse to say a bad word about anything Billie does. So, here goes. This looks cozy and not too dissimilar to how I’m dressed 90 per cent of the time. Maybe it’s a ploy to get everybody to dress cozily on the red carpet from now on – you saw it here first. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Eilish’s brother Finneas opted for a sharp velvet suit, making up for the glamour that Billie chose not to serve. The best of both worlds.
TINASHE THE LOOK SLAYER
The VMAs was really the VestiareMAs, am I right? Stepping out in another look from runways past was Tinashe, who this year wore a low-slung pair of leather lace ups from Dolce and Gabbana’s SS03 collection. With buckles festooned across her midriff and straps flailing from her hips, the singer took the look into a vampiric direction with a corrugated bralette and glistening cross pendant.
IT'S MISTRESS POOSH TO YOU!
Giving it Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton (albeit slightly sanitised) was Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker, who hit the red carpet in black leather, lace, and studs. With needles jutting out of the knees and shoulder pads, Barker looked like a Transformer in mid-flight – wearing Thom Browne. And while Kourtney, dressed in Olivier Theyskens, broke from her recent Hot Topic-indebted looks, a corset-style lace-up was just enough to suggest that she has at least heard of Cannibal Corpse.
More pics of @SZA & @DojaCat at the 2021 #VMAS. pic.twitter.com/z7e57Ls6Up
— SZA CRAVE (@SZACRAVE) September 13, 2021
DOJA CAT AND SZA TOOK US TO PLANET HUH
Beamed in from outer somewhere were Doja Cat and SZA, who scooped the evening’s award for Best Collaboration. Doja, dressed in – what looks like – one of those ergonomic nap pods that tech startups force onto their employees, was in fact styled in Thom Browne SS18. SZA, on the other hand, opted for a custom, 3D-printed bodice made by LA designer Nusi Quero.
NORMANI DELIVERED A BELTER
London’s Patrycja Pagas got her major red carpet moment thanks to Normani, who wore a leather two piece by the vegan-only designer before her heading on-stage to deliver an homage to Janet Jackson. The overblown, cropped blazer cut a graphic silhouette, while distended straps and tactical cut-outs looked as though they could have been pilfered from the VMAs ten years prior.
BRETMAN ROCKED THE BOAT
A standout look of the night, Bretman Rock stepped onto the carpet in a bestial, fringed, AW00 Roberto Cavalli number – canonised thanks to its originator, Aaliyah, who wore the dress at the 2000 VMAs. Since reincarnated on the backs of Paloma Elsesser and Kim Kardashian alike, when it comes to hardworking, this gown is second only to the Jungle Dress. “When they said I could wear it I literally cried of disbelief…,” Bretman wrote on Instagram.
THE LEMONY ENCHANTRESS
Joined by fellow drag racer, Kandy Muse, Symone tapped NYC couture house, Area, for baby’s debut VMA look – a diamante-encrusted, high fashion puffer jacket and a slashed, knitted dress. Styled by House of Avalon’s Marko Monroe, the duo continue to finesse their inspired collaborations, which have so far produced Mowalola gowns, durag capes, and hair-braided slips.