Blimey, those stars really cracked out the big guns last night. The 2013 MTV Video Music Awards enticed a host of our favourite music stars to don their glad rags and put on a show that had us cheering as well as gawping. Miley Cyrus twerked her way around the stage, Taylor Swift took a swipe at Harry Styles and Lady Gaga was, well, Lady Gaga. But what did they WEAR?
Well, considering the VMAs are notorious for their shock factor – Britney smooching Madonna, anyone? – the attendees took the opportunity to show their sartorial wild side at the New York shindig. So much so, in fact, it verged on fancy dress. Katy Perry appeared to channel Kat Slater thanks to her super-tight leopard print dress complete with polo neck, gold embellishments and scraped back, Eastenders-tastic hair-do. The Emanuel Ungaro gown also featured a minxy thigh-high split and she wore strappy sandals to make the most of her pins. But it wasn’t until the popstar gave us a snarl that we realised she’s hopped on the gangsta bandwagon with a set of gold grills. ‚It’s about Brooklyn. It’s about keeping it real in Brooklyn,‘ she explained. Okeeeey.
Onto Lady Gaga and the comeback star hit the star-studded event wearing head-to-toe PVC by Prabal Gurung. Her black dress with slinky train matched the long black wig and contrasted with her barely-there makeup look, making for a Morticia Addams-esque result. Nonetheless, the look was noticeably demure in comparison to the five – yes, FIVE! – outfits she donned for the first live performance of her new single, Applause.
Next up is Miley Cyrus who went all ’80s on us. She might have gyrated with Robin Thicke on stage wearing little more than a gold bikini, but when she appeared on the red carpet, she was slightly more covered-up. Of course, she couldn’t resist flashing her impressively toned abs in yet another crop top, but this one was off-the-shoulder, long-sleeved and covered in bright embellishments. She teamed the spangly top with a pair of high-waisted black leggings embellished with vibrant beading. Her peroxide hair was pulled into pigtails as she tackles that tricky phase of growing out a pixie crop.
Meanwhile, Selena Gomez went the va va voom route. Her jaw-dropping ensemble came courtesy of who else but Versace and consisted of a sheer bustier that was uncovered by a cut out neckline on the dark blue floor-length gown. Taylor Swift also provided a refreshing a dollop of sophistication by ditching her recent red ’n‘ retro wardrobe for a stunning Herve Leger by Max Azria number with a plunging neckline. With her long limbs and perfect pout, is anyone else reminded of Nicole Kidman? Swifty amped up the ’50s glam with her blonde hair in classic Hollywood waves. If that doesn’t show Harry what he’s missing, we don’t know what will (although a little on-stage banter certainly didn’t hurt).
Rita Ora also made a striking statement by wearing Alexandre Vauthier Couture’s bejewelled top with an extravagant feathered skirt that trailed for miles behind her while Ellie Goulding showcased a form-fitting dress covered in studs. A special mention goes to Girls star Allison Williams who stood out from the wacktacular crowd in an adorable white lace frock by Valentino and Shailene Woodley’s no-fuss look and killer legs. Catwalker Joan Smalls also made an impressive turn in Viktor & Rolf and Ciara stunned in Givenchy Couture.