Photos: Red carpet fashion at the 2022 MTV VMAs


Characteristic · fashion

2022 MTV Video Music Awards: Best Red Carpet Fashion

Lizzo, Taylor Swift and Lil Nas X were among the stars to impress on a red carpet dominated by dark hues, exposed bellies and flowing menswear.

The 2022 MTV Video Music Awards kicked off Sunday night, with stars including Lizzo and Blackpink walking the red carpet for the big night.

Compared to Hollywood awards shows, the VMAs often see attendees go wild and show their personalities, usually choosing fun, sultry or experimental outfits over formal costumes and ballgowns. Fashion history has also been written here, like Lil’ Kim’s purple one-sleeved jumpsuit and seashell nipple pasty in 1999 or Lady Gaga’s infamous meat dress in 2010.

This year’s event, held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, saw performances from Bad Bunny and Nicki Minaj, along with Jack Harlow and LL Cool J. Celebrity fashion watchers also had plenty to celebrate as style darlings including Taylor Swift, Lil Nas X and Becky G arrived in jaw-dropping ensembles.

Many stars dressed in dark hues to match this year’s ‘black carpet’ – although they brought outfits to life with fetish-inspired accessories, such as the singer’s thick leather choker Dove Cameron, or flashes of color, like Sabrina Carpenter’s rainbow embellishments.

Stars also dared to go bareback, with celebs like Ashley Graham, Tate McRae and Blackpink’s Jennie all showing off their bellies. Maneskin’s Anitta and Victoria de Angelis, meanwhile, paid apparent homage to Lil’ Kim’s famous 1999 VMAs outfit with fashionable nipple covers.

Some of the men at the party also bared their chests. And fluid fashion brought a certain softness to menswear ensembles, with Maneskin’s Ethan Torchio donning a sheer corset, Conan Gray slipping into a Harris Reed lace train outfit and Bob the Drag Queen twirling in a white skirt, which he matched with a blazer and a plaid cardigan.

Lizzo arrived early on the red carpet and raised the bar, stepping out in a new Jean Paul Gaultier couture creation off the runway. Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Becky G wore a colorful form-fitting Zuhair Murad ensemble, decorated with stained glass-inspired tarot card artwork and lots of side cutouts.

Becky G wore a colorful form-fitting Zuhair Murad ensemble, decorated with stained glass-inspired tarot card artwork and lots of side cutouts. Credit: Catherine Powell/Getty Images

Model Ashley Graham was the picture of confidence in a Houghton NYC dress that cinched at points across her torso to reveal glimpses of her midriff.

Model Ashley Graham was the picture of confidence in a Houghton NYC dress that cinched at points across her torso to reveal glimpses of her midriff. Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Singer Conan Gray was a vision in white, dressed in a whimsical Harris Reed ensemble with a lace-trimmed train and blazer.

Singer Conan Gray was a vision in white, dressed in a whimsical Harris Reed ensemble with a lace-trimmed train and blazer. Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

Sofia Carson was the picture of elegance in a black hooded column dress with off-the-shoulder puff sleeves.

Sofia Carson was the picture of elegance in a black hooded column dress with off-the-shoulder puff sleeves. Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Nominee and host Jack Harlow skipped the standard black suit and chose a chocolate leather ensemble, complete with an unusual high-necked shirt in a similar hue.

Nominee and host Jack Harlow skipped the standard black suit and chose a chocolate leather ensemble, complete with an unusual high-necked shirt in a similar hue. Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Wearing a custom silver Zigman dress, Chloe Bailey dazzled as she walked - with her intricate bustier and leg slit bringing the drama.

Wearing a custom silver Zigman dress, Chloe Bailey dazzled as she walked – with her intricate bustier and leg slit bringing the drama. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Tate McRae brought '90s vibes in a teal two-piece, which she accessorized with jewelry from David Yurman.

Tate McRae brought ’90s vibes in a teal two-piece, which she accessorized with jewelry from David Yurman. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Bob the Drag Queen wore a gray plaid blazer, matching waistcoat and voluminous white skirt.

Bob the Drag Queen wore a gray plaid blazer, matching waistcoat and voluminous white skirt. Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Maneskin's Ethan Torchio, Victoria De Angelis, Damiano David and Thomas Raggi brought their fluid style to the black carpet, complete with heart-shaped nipple covers, sparkly capes and sheer corsets by Gucci.

Maneskin’s Ethan Torchio, Victoria De Angelis, Damiano David and Thomas Raggi brought their fluid style to the black carpet, complete with heart-shaped nipple covers, sparkly capes and sheer corsets by Gucci. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Sabrina Carpenter chose a sparkling black Moschino dress that was adorned with rainbow flowers and cutouts at the hips.

Sabrina Carpenter chose a sparkling black Moschino dress that was adorned with rainbow flowers and cutouts at the hips. Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Singer Dove Cameron was a study in contrast with her strapless Paco Rabanne gown, which combined floral and leather fetish elements – and a black choker to top it all off.

Singer Dove Cameron was a study in contrast with her strapless Paco Rabanne gown, which combined floral and leather fetish elements – and a black choker to top it all off. Credit: Andrés Kudacki/AFP/Getty Images

All eyes were on singer Samy Hawk in his graffiti-inspired leather jacket and bright green hat.

All eyes were on singer Samy Hawk in his graffiti-inspired leather jacket and bright green hat. Credit: Catherine Powell/Getty Images

Blackpink members Lisa, Jisoo, Jennie and Rosé arrived in complementary all-black outfits

Blackpink members Lisa, Jisoo, Jennie and Rosé arrived in complementary all-black outfits Credit: Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Bright greens are popular on the VMAs carpet, with rapper Latto sporting a lace-up mini dress in a neon hue.

Bright greens are popular on the VMAs carpet, with rapper Latto sporting a lace-up mini dress in a neon hue. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Host LL Cool J went for a tried-and-true look, opting for an all-black ensemble, beanie, sunglasses and custom 'Cool J' dusters.

Host LL Cool J went for a tried-and-true look, opting for an all-black ensemble, beanie, sunglasses and custom ‘Cool J’ dusters. Credit: Andrés Kudacki/AFP/Getty Images

In an apparent homage to Lil Kim's famous 1999 VMAs outfit, Anitta dared to go bare in an asymmetrical red corset and artful nipple cover by Schiaparelli Haute Couture Fall-Winter 2022.

In an apparent homage to Lil Kim’s famous 1999 VMAs outfit, Anitta dared to go bare in an asymmetrical red corset and artful nipple cover by Schiaparelli Haute Couture Fall-Winter 2022. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Still at the height of menswear, J Balvin's ivory take on suiting by Louis Vuitton featured wide-leg pants and a double-breasted blazer, as well as Tiffany & Co. jewelry.

Still at the height of menswear, J Balvin’s ivory take on suiting by Louis Vuitton featured wide-leg pants and a double-breasted blazer, as well as Tiffany & Co. jewelry. Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

A sculptural quilted dress worn by Chloe Fineman was one of the most experimental looks of the evening, featuring coral trim and worn with a metallic micro bag.  Designed by threeASFOUR for Instacart, she finished the look with silver heels.

A sculptural quilted dress worn by Chloe Fineman was one of the most experimental looks of the evening, featuring coral trim and worn with a metallic micro bag. Designed by threeASFOUR for Instacart, she finished the look with silver heels. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images

Actor Colton Haynes looked impossible to miss in an acid green Dior flare suit, complete with wrapped blazer, diamond brooch and platform shoes.

Actor Colton Haynes looked impossible to miss in an acid green Dior flare suit, complete with wrapped blazer, diamond brooch and platform shoes. Credit: Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Lil Nas X was a strong contender for best dressed, sporting a sculptural Harris Reed ensemble with a tiered feathered skirt frame and headpiece.

Lil Nas X was a strong contender for best dressed, sporting a sculptural Harris Reed ensemble with a tiered feathered skirt frame and headpiece. Credit: Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

Top image: Taylor Swift (Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images)