7 September 2025 |
Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, and Ariana Grande were among our favorite looks of the night.
It feels like fall in New York. Fresh off the US Open’s final serve and with fashion week looming, the city’s energy was electric for this year’s MTV VMAs—and our favorite celebs delivered the over-the-top looks we tune in for, both on the red carpet and the awards show stage.
Tate McRae stunned in a custom sheer white Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown, while Ariana Grande looked prim in polka dots, and Sabrina Carpenter channeled Jessica Rabbit in a red lace number. Artist of the Year Lady Gaga accepted her award in straight-off-the-runway Marc Jacobs, just moments before rushing off to Madison Square Garden to perform a sold-out show. As for the men, no boring tuxes here. Lenny Kravitz, once again, proved that shirts on a red carpet are optional, and hot new artist Sombr wore a chic embroidered Valentino suit. While the stars won awards for their artistry, here are our nominees for the 10 best looks of the evening.
1. SABRINA CARPENTER IN CUSTOM VALENTINO & TIFFANY & CO. JEWELRY
It’s Sabrina Carpenter’s world, and we’re just living in it. With her new album, Man’s Best Friend, dominating the airwaves, and with eight VMA nominations, Carpenter pays homage to fellow femme fatale Jessica Rabbit in a dazzling custom Valentino dress.
2. ARIANA GRANDE IN CUSTOM FENDI & SWAROVSKI JEWELRY
Nominated for seven different VMAs tonight, Ariana Grande channeled her Wicked character Glinda in a custom black and white polka Fendi strapless column gown, inspired by dress worn by Silvia Venturini in the 1980s.
3. SOMBR IN VALENTINO
Nominated for Best New Artist of 2025, the singer pulled out all the stops in a Valentino suit by Alessandro Michele with embroidered flowers and studded shoes.
4. LENNY KRAVITZ IN SAINT LAURENT
For the second year in a row, Lenny Kravitz pulls off another sleek look sans shirt, wearing a Saint Laurent suit and polka dot tie, and, of course, sunglasses.
5. CIARA IN SCHIAPARELLI
Presenting an award tonight, the singer stunned in a daring red Schiaparelli dress. The best part? It has pockets.
6. TYLA IN VINTAGE CHANEL
The two-time VMA nominee for tonight—Best Afrobeats Song and Best Choreography—wore a tiny beige Chanel dress from 1993, previously worn by Claudia Schiffer. Just to be safe, the singer paired the look with black microshorts.
7. TATE MCRAE IN CUSTOM LUDOVIC SAINT SERNIN
The Canadian singer gave us sheer Greek goddess in her white custom dress by Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
8. LADY GAGA IN MARC JACOBS
Lady Gaga delayed her sold-out Madison Square Garden show to accept her award for Artist of the Year, as she took to the stage in a Marc Jacobs 2025 runway look, thanking her fans and her fiancée.
9. ROSÉ IN TIFFANY & CO. JEWELRY
After winning Song of the Year alongside Bruno Mars, the Blackpink singer sparkled in Tiffany & Co. jewelry and a yellow strapless dress that perfectly matched her platinum blonde hair, proving that the butter yellow trend isn’t going anywhere.
10. ALIX EARLE IN TOM FORD
Everyone’s favorite TikToker, who’s set to make her debut on Dancing With The Stars on September 16, walked the red carpet in a white mini Tom Ford dress featuring daring side cut-outs.
