The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards red carpet proved once again why the VMAs remain one of the most daring stages in pop culture. Where the Oscars lean toward classic elegance and the Met Gala leans into costume, the VMAs thrive on risk, reinvention, and fearless style. This year was no exception, with stars blending ’80s decadence, gothic glamour, and gender-fluid fashion into looks that turned heads worldwide.
Here are the best-dressed celebrities at the VMAs 2025, and what their looks tell us about where fashion is headed next.
Sabrina Carpenter in Custom Valentino and Tiffany & Co.
Sabrina Carpenter proved she can do more than her signature minidresses by stepping onto the carpet in a custom Valentino floor-length gown. Made of sheer red tulle and embroidered with a sequined lace motif, the gown was equal parts sultry and sophisticated.
She accessorized with diamond jewelry from Tiffany & Co. and carried a pink marabou-feather boa, channeling Old Hollywood bombshell energy with a modern wink. Her blonde waves and 1950s-style makeup made this look pure va-va-voom glamour, cementing her as one of the red carpet’s most consistent risk-takers.
Lady Gaga in Marc Jacobs
Never one to shy away from drama, Lady Gaga—winner of the Artist of the Year Award—arrived in a gothic Marc Jacobs gown covered in cascading layers of black tulle ruffles.
The look fused Mayhem and Wednesday Addams aesthetics, underscoring Gaga’s ability to tap into the cultural mood of dark romanticism while still staying true to her theatrical roots. She barely had time to linger, jetting off to perform at Madison Square Garden after accepting her award, but her statement look lingered long after her exit.
Olandria Carthen
Reality TV star and rising fashion muse Olandria Carthen delivered one of the night’s most monochromatic, high-impact looks. Dressed in a red corset layered with sheer fabric, opera gloves, and a flowing scarf, Carthen embodied pure sultriness.
Her glow was elevated by the Vaseline Glazed and Glisten Golden Hour body oil, proving that sometimes beauty products can shine just as brightly as couture. With her Love Island romance dominating headlines, Carthen used the VMAs to establish herself as a serious fashion player.
Sombr in Valentino
The “Best New Artist” nominee, Sombr, made a confident red-carpet debut in a black Valentino suit elevated with floral embroidery on the lapels and cuffs and a silk scarf wrap at the waist.
The ensemble struck the perfect balance between classic tailoring and modern flair, showing how Valentino continues to push the boundaries of menswear. Sombr’s rise in both music and fashion makes him a star with serious staying power.
Paris Hilton in The Blonds
Paris Hilton’s collaboration with The Blonds was a match made in club-kid heaven. She wore a leather-heavy ensemble that leaned into drag-inspired theatrics. While undeniably fun and perfectly “Paris,” the stiff leather and conservative footwear (black tights and pumps) made the look feel slightly less daring than it could have been.
Still, Hilton proved that nearly two decades into her reign as a style icon, she continues to embrace camp and costume like few others can.
Doja Cat in Balmain and Chopard
Doja Cat stunned in Balmain, wearing a pastel blue and yellow harlequin mini dress embroidered with pink detailing along the neckline and front. She paired it with over 85 carats of diamonds from Chopard, cementing her role as the reigning queen of avant-garde glamour.
Ahead of her new album Vie, Doja has been channeling the over-the-top fashion of the 1980s, and this Dynasty-worthy look nailed the brief: decadent, playful, and maximalist without losing edge. Expect to see more harlequin prints and exaggerated glam trend this fall.
