Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • WeLoveUs.shop
  • 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home • Fashion

The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs

The stars leaned into cherry red yesterday evening. From Ciara to Love Island's Olandria Carthen, the hue was spotted quite a bit at this year's MTV VMAs in Elmont, New York.
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
Getty Images
By Robyn Mowatt · Updated September 8, 2025
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

The MTV Video Music Awards have come and gone! Hosted over in Long Island at Elmont UBS Arena, the funky and somewhat weird red carpet moments were giving 80s and modernity simultaneously. What do I mean by that? Celebrities and artists alike worked with their stylists to execute striking moments, but there were a few looks that felt off-kilter. My favorites included Doja Cat, who arrived in a chic Balmain number styled by Brett Alan Nelson. The combination of yellow and light blue fabric offset against pink gemstones alongside the midsection of the frock evoked 80s energy. Her sky-high platform heels in cornstarch yellow gave drama!

Olandria Carthen of Love Island was a vision in a bold cherry red bustier bodysuit with a mesh attachment. The mesh train was fitting for the style star who has been rising in the ranks of the fashion industry. Separately, GloRilla arrived on the red carpet in an ensemble by Helen Anthony: a plaid top and blazer set paired with a skirt. Her frilly white socks and black patent leather heels were a girly addition that I loved.

As for Tyla, who always keeps us guessing when it comes to her fashion choices, the global star opted for a Chanel Spring/Summer 1993 archival top. To me, this look worked tremendously well. Chained gold necklaces and black pumps were key to this look. Ronnie Hart, her stylist, nailed this. Latto leaned into a glam moment for her VMAs look, and I was here for it. The rapper donned an exquisite gown by Gianni Versace sourced from Timeless Vixen, based in Beverly Hills, California. (Her look was styled by Luca Marie and Uma Natalia).

Ciara arrived in a red Schiaparelli ensemble from the house’s Spring/Summer 2025 ready-to-wear collection. This moment was giving off Sporty Spice vibes in the best way. The high neck and short mini skirt were the ideal high fashion pairing.

Below, take a look at the best looks from the 2025 MTV VMAs.

01
01 Doja Cat
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Doja Cat attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
02
02 Latto
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
Latto at the MTV Video Music Awards 2025 held at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images)
03
03 Gunna
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Gunna attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Taylor Hill/WireImage)
04
04 Justine Skye
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
Justine Skye at the MTV Video Music Awards 2025 held at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/Billboard via Getty Images)
05
05 Symone
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Symone attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV)
06
06 2025 MTV Video Music Awards – Arrivals
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Ayra Starr attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for MTV)
07
07 Shenseaa
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Shenseea attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic)
08
08 D Smoke
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: D Smoke attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic)
09
09 Olandria Carthen
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Olandria Carthen attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV)
10
10 Ace Greene
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Ace Greene attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/WireImage)
11
11 LL Cool J
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: LL Cool J attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
12
12 Lenny Kravitz
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Lenny Kravitz attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV)
13
13 GloRilla
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: GloRilla attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV)
14
14 Ty Dolla Sign
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Ty Dolla $ign attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
15
15 Summer Walker
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Summer Walker attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
16
16 Chance The Rapper
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Chance the Rapper attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
17
17 FKA Twigs
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: FKA twigs attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV)
18
18 Mona Scott-Young
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Mona Scott-Young attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
19
19 Sexyy Red
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Sexyy Red attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic)
20
20 Ciara
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Ciara attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV)
21
21 Tyla
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Tyla attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
22
22 Ice Spice
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Ice Spice attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for MTV)
23
23 Busta Rhymes
The Best Red Carpet Looks At The 2025 MTV VMAs
ELMONT, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 07: Busta Rhymes attends the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on September 07, 2025 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

TOPICS:  mtv vmas