From Lady Gaga’s now-infamous meat dress to Britney and Justin’s double-denim debacle, the red carpet fashion at the MTV Video Music Awards never disappoints – if only for its sheer shock value. In fact, it’s almost become more about the sequins, the sparkle and the style than the actual awards itself (although, naturally, we also couldn’t wait to find out who’d scooped the Moon Man gongs).
Best Pop Video went to Ariana Grande for her global smash hit, Problem. All swishy ponytail and sixties go-go boots, she opened the event by singing Break Free, and was followed by Nicki Minaj storming the stage to perform Anaconda (to a rather petrified-looking Rita Ora in the audience…). Taylor Swift payed homage to Madonna’s Material Girl by performing her new song Shake It Off with the help of a troupe of tuxedoed men, while Sam Smith gave a phenomenal performance of moving ballad Stay With Me.
Video of the Year went to Miley Cyrus for the controversial Terry Richardson-directed Wrecking Ball. The scandalous pop icon seems to have come a long way from last year’s Robin Thicke performance, having a homeless teen collect her award with a moving speech and revealing that she’s retired from twerking. “It’s not about twerking – it’s about music,” she said.
The star of the night was, of course, Queen Bey, with she and hubby Jay Z winning Best Collaboration for Drunk In Love, Best Video With A Social Message for Pretty Hurts and Best Cinematography, Direction and Editing for the same. Following her flawless medley performance, which had daughter Blue Ivy dancing in the audience, Jay Z came on stage (Blue in tow) to present her with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. He called her the “best living entertainer” and the usually composed B shed a few tears. Split rumours, what?
Outfits of the Night:
An otherworldly Iggy Azalea in floor-sweeping Atelier Versace.
Rumoured to be dating Brooklyn Beckham, Chloe Grace Moretz arrived in sugar-sweet Louis Vuitton.
Taylor Swift arrived looking adorable in a glistening, letter-stamped bodysuit by It-Brit designer Mary Katrantzou.
The always-resplendent J-Lo in Charbel Zoe.
Fashionista in the making Kendall Jenner wore black – a huge trend on the red carpet for these VMAs. Her ensemble came in the form of high-waisted pants from Alon Livine and a sheer layered crop top. Modern minimalism at its best.
Model Chanel Iman in ultra-fierce new-season Balmain.
Katy Perry and Riff Raff, er, riffing off the aforementioned Britney and Justin double denim – only this time in custom-made Versace. Katy won Best Female Video for Dark Horse.
Solange looked ultra-chic in a glittery, mannish suit from H&M’s new Studio line, launching in the UAE on September 4.
The Winners:
Video of the Year
Miley Cyrus, Wrecking Ball
Best Hip-Hop Video
Drake ft. Majid Jordan, Hold On (We’re Going Home)
Best Male Video
Ed Sheeran, Sing
Best Female Video
Katy Perry ft. Juicy J, Dark Horse
Best Pop Video
Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea, Problem
Best Rock Video
Lorde, Royals
MTV Artist to Watch
Fifth Harmony, Miss Movin On
Best Collaboration
Beyoncé ft. Jay Z, Drunk In Love
MTV Clubland Award
Zedd ft. Hayley Williams, Stay the Night
Best Video With a Social Message
Beyoncé, Pretty Hurts
Best Cinematography
Beyoncé, Pretty Hurts
Best Editing
Eminem, Rap God
Best Choreography
Sia, Chandelier
Best Direction
DJ Snake & Lil Jon, Turn Down For What
Best Art Direction
Arcade Fire, Reflektor
Best Visual Effects
OK Go, The Writing’s On the Wall
Best Lyric Video
5 Seconds of Summer, Don’t Stop
