On Aug. 28, hundreds of stars flocked to the Prudential Center in New Jersey to strut their extravagant outfits on the black carpet of the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards.  Each year, MTV honors the highest level of talent in the music industry.  Although the award show is the main event, the night wouldn’t be complete without the variety of fashion looks worn by countless celebrities attending the ceremony.  With the diversity of colors, patterns, materials, and designers, it is impossible not to get lost in the sea of stunning, but sometimes lackluster, outfits during the pre-show black carpet. 

“I thought the fashion at the VMAs was very impressive, and all the colors and designs matched together beautifully,” said junior Sasha Wright.

 The three hosts of the night were rappers Nicki Minaj, LL Cool J, and Jack Harlow, each wearing unique outfits.  Jack Harlow wore not one, but four different ensembles throughout the course of the night.  Harlow arrived at the black carpet wearing a chocolate leather suit with a similar-colored turtleneck underneath.  He proceeded to open the show wearing a glittering black top for his performance of “First Class” with singer Fergie.  His last two outfits of the night consisted of a pastel mint-green suit by Diesel made completely out of vinyl, and a beige leather jacket with camel-colored pants and oversized chunky white mules.  There was a mixed consensus on Jack Harlow’s numerous looks from the night.  

“The fashion was definitely interesting to say the least.  Lizzo’s outfit was my favorite, and Jack Harlow’s was my least favorite,”  said sophomore Isabel Epstein. 

Lizzo, a 34-year old pop singer, wore a billowing navy blue gown by Jean Paul Gaultier Couture and received mixed reception on her statement outfit after arriving early on the black carpet.  While many Twitter users likened her dress to a garbage bag, “Little Mermaid” villain Ursula, or bed linens, her fans quickly defended the body-positive singer online.  Throughout her years of fame, Lizzo has radiated an immense amount of self-love and has strongly advocated for more representation for plus-sized African American women.

 “I’m all about body positivity and self-love because I believe that we can save the world if we first save ourselves,”  said Lizzo in an interview with People Magazine in Apr. 2022.

Harlow wasn’t the only host to impress, as Video Vanguard Award winner, Nicki Minaj, stunned the audience with her Barbie-esque bedazzled pink dress.  Her gown, designed by Dolce and Gabbana, consisted of a pink miniskirt and a diamond cutout top with holographic gems.  To compliment the dress, Minaj also wore REZA and Cicada jewelry, gold Rene Caovilla sandals, and a hot pink wig.  Last but not least, Minaj and Harlow’s co-host, LL Cool J, wore his signature black beanie along with a sleek black leather jacket with gold trim.  As for the most colorful outfit of the night, that honor definitely has to go to singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter.  She donned a lengthy Moschino cutout dress covered in colorful sequin flowers.  

“The design and colors of Sabrina Carpenter’s dress were very vivid and pretty.  I really enjoyed getting to see her fashion choices for the night,” said junior Jemma Lee. 

 Some other standouts from the night were Taylor Swift’s crystal-embellished Oscar de la Renta naked dress and Lil Nas X’s black feathered Harris Reed gown and headpiece.  Although both aforementioned outfits were highly regarded and exorbitant, neither of them were the most expensive outfit of the night – that honor goes to singer-songwriter Blackbear.  Even though the clothing itself, given to him by Givenchy, wasn’t very expensive, his accessories totaled the overall cost of the outfit to over $250,000.  His nails were even bedazzled with real diamonds, and his diamond ball chain cost around $160,000.

With all the colors and designs worn throughout the night, there was one similarity that was present within many fashion pieces from the night.  To match this year’s black carpet, many stars decided to wear outfits and accessories with dark and black hues.  From singer-songwriter Sofia Carson’s black-hooded column dress to Italian rock band Måneskin’s black Gucci ensemble fit, it is safe to say that the stars had no trouble tying their fashion to the darker aesthetic of the carpet. 

 Compared to other awards shows, the VMA’s definitely seem to be more skewed towards exquisite, colorful, and exciting fashion.  After seeing all the outfits worn by the stars that night, it is safe to say that the VMAs was one of the most significant nights for fashion in 2022, and has risen to the level of other predominant fashion-based events such as The Met Gala.