Unlike the more dignified Hollywood awards shows, MTV’s annual Video Music Awards call for a bit more pageantry and experimentation in terms of style. After all, what other industry event brings such memorable moments as Miley Cyrus’ twerk-athon last year, Kanye West bum-rushing Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech back in 2009, or even Britney Spears making out with Madonna onstage? True to form, the 2014 VMAs spectacle didn’t fail to deliver the sizzle factor.
Coming in hot off the debut of her buzzy, bootylicious music video for “Anaconda” (which has racked up nearly 65 million page views over the past five days), Nicki Minaj kept things relatively tame on the red carpet in a long-sleeve, python-print Saint Laurent minidress, before kicking off the show by narrowly avoiding a wardrobe malfunction while performing alongside Ariana Grande and Jessie J. Meanwhile, the Kardashian-Jenner klan kept up their summer tour de force in respective low-cut numbers. (Kim’s tribal look was just one part of Balmain’s VMAs coup, which also included Joan Smalls and Chanel Iman.)
Perhaps the most divisive sartorial choice of the evening came from Taylor Swift, who nearly pulled off a pastel lace Mary Katrantzou Resort ’15 playsuit thanks to her killer stems. Meanwhile, we were surprised to see Miley Cyrus actually opt to wear pants; her black leather Alexandre Vauthier Couture bustier and matching high-waisted trousers were a step up in the fashion stakes.
As far as teenage taste levels go, it doesn’t get more elevated than Chloë Grace Moretz out-classing just about everyone there in the opening look from Louis Vuitton’s recent Cruise collection. Ditto goes for Lorde vamping about in Chanel. On the flip side of the equation, it doesn’t get better than Katy Perry and Riff Raff paying homage to Britney and Justin Timberlake (that infamous fashion don’t from the 2001 American Music Awards) in their Versace head-to-toe denim ensembles.
Among the others who pulled out all the stops tonight were Iggy Azalea, looking extra “Fancy” in metallic Atelier Versace, as well as Rita Ora, who wore a red silk Donna Karan Atelier gown boasting a hip-high slit that “might overheat your computer,” as the public relations e-mail blast warned. Last but not least is, of course, Beyoncé—in transparent black Nicolas Jebran—who deserves a “Flawless” category all her own. Still, our only lingering question remains: Where was Rihanna?
Below, Style.com rounds up our hits and misses from the 2014 VMAs.
Triple Threat: Kim Kardashian, in Balmain Resort ’15, with sisters Kendall and Kylie Jenner.
Onesie Direction: Taylor Swift pulled off a look in Mary Katrantzou’s pastel lace playsuit.
Snake Charmer: Nicki Minaj kept it relatively tame in an “Anaconda”-print Saint Laurent mini.
Youth Quaker: Chloë Grace Moretz continued to impress in a pink look fresh off Louis Vuitton’s Cruise runway.
Queen Bee: Beyoncé was flawless on the red carpet in sheer black Nicolas Jebran. She ended the night on a high note with her powerful performance.
Double Vision: Riff Raff and Katy Perry channeled Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears’ infamous his-and-hers denim moment circa 2001 in denim Versace ensembles.
Smile Back: Jeremy Scott’s emoji-native yellow tuxedo.
Odd Couple: Miley Cyrus, in Alexandre Vauthier Couture, and Snoop Dogg made for a priceless pair.
Selfie Esteem: Nick Jonas shared a moment with his fans.
Cream of the Crop Top: Jourdan Dunn paired Balmain’s black bandeau with a slinky maxi skirt. (Bonus: Peep Joan Smalls, also in Balmain, in the background.)
Fancy That: Iggy Azalea sparkled in Atelier Versace alongside boyfriend Nick Young.
Smooth Operator: Usher rocked a crisp white button-up and sneakers.
Chanel Changer: Chanel Iman worked Balmain’s body-con LBD.
Diva Alert: Rita Ora and Jennifer Lopez sizzled in Donna Karan Atelier and Charbel Zoé, respectively.
Lady Is a Vamp: Lorde kept up her all-black-everything streak in Chanel.
