The 2025 VMAs Red Carpet: Best Looks, Big Statements, and Style Shifts

The 2025 VMAs brought the usual glam, edge, and a few unexpected twists to the red carpet. Bold statements and cohesive style teams lit up the night, from punchy plaids to siren reds and even a few standout menswear moments. Here’s a breakdown of what worked, what didn’t, and who truly owned the carpet.

Red Was a Power Move

Sabrina Carpenter and Ciara both leaned into vibrant reds, a classic color that never fails to make a statement. Ciara, took the crown for best dressed, rocking a stunning Schiaparelli piece that perfectly balanced power and poise. Sabrina’s look felt fresh and youthful, adding a modern twist on classic glamour to the event.

Checkered Drama and Archival Patchwork

Doja Cat turned heads in a sculptural checkered Balmain look, proving once again she’s in a league of her own. Her fashion moment doubled as an announcement to her new role as the face of MAC Cosmetics, under the creative direction of Nicola Formichetti. The cherry on top? She ate a chocolate lipstick created for the campaign by French-Swiss pastry chef and chocolatier Amaury Guichon, making it the night’s most unforgettable stunt.

Ice Spice reached into the archives, wearing Look 50 from Ralph Lauren’s Spring 2003 collection. A patchwork piece with nods to plaid, denim, and Americana, the look struck a perfect balance between nostalgia and fashion history.

Glorilla, wearing Helen Anthony, bringing structure with swagger, proof that plaid still feels fresh when done right.

Cohesion Cool & Vintage Revival

Katseye, the rising girl group, brought full fashion cohesion in Dolce & Gabbana, celebrating their first VMA win and giving a fiery performance of “Gabriella” during the preshow. Their styling was tight, cohesive, and on-brand.

Meanwhile, Tyla dug deep in the archives bringing back a vintage Chanel look that felt both effortless and editorial.

Menswear Moments: Cool, Confident, Unbuttoned

While the red carpet was heavy on bold patterns and red gowns, the men kept it cool with intention.

Ricky Martin gave us sleek, sophisticated edge with an open shirt and layered chains. Lenny Kravitz, never one to miss a fashion beat, wore Saint Laurent, blending rockstar nonchalance with high fashion detail. His shirtless look felt on-brand in all the right ways.

J Balvin also stood out in a tailored plaid look that balanced structure with personality, another nod to the evening’s pattern trend.

Tate McRae Steps Into Creative Partnership

One of the night’s best moments came from Tate McRae, who wore Ludovic de Saint Sernin on the carpet and Luar for her performance. Her big announcement? Ludovic is officially stepping in as her creative director, marking the start of what could be one of pop's most stylish collaborations.

Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande & the Quiet Moments

Lady Gaga showed up, collected her award, and beamed in a full-blown performance from Madison Square Garden, total legend behavior. Ariana Grande pulled up in Fendi, looking sweet and minimal. Both gave us star power, but neither look hit with the impact we’re used to.

Hits, Misses & Room to Grow

While most looks were on point, a few fell flat. Conan Gray’s Erik Charlotte ensemble didn’t quite land but hey, fashion is about risk. Not everyone can be best dressed.

A Note on Creativity, Authenticity, and the Culture of the Carpet

We saw clear nods to the past: Ice Spice's Pamela Anderson-inspired glam, Summer Walker’s throwback styling, and even Tate McRae, who drew comparisons to Britney Spears. These references are fun, nostalgic, and valid but we’re hoping to see more artists interpret the past rather than rely on it. Inspiration is powerful, but originality is what pushes fashion forward.

Some of the red carpet looks felt more like gimmicks than style statements. And while we never want to discourage experimentation, there’s a difference between playing dress-up and truly showing up in something that reflects your artistry.

On the branding side, the step-and-repeat design left us puzzled. With Paramount+ and CBS logos front and center, the iconic MTV branding felt like an afterthought. The Moonperson was still there, but the vibe was more corporate crossover than youth culture moment.

We say this with love: MTV built its legacy on music videos, TRL, and genre-defining shows like The Real World. The VMAs should feel like that loud, creative, original, and a little chaotic in the best way.

Let’s make space for the new, not just keep remixing the old.