September 11, 2024, will certainly go down as the night the stars aligned at the VMAs. The red carpet was nothing short of an audacious fashion statement. It positively sparkled with the kind of old Hollywood glamour one rarely sees these days—though, given the sharp, spray-tanned edges of the silhouette, I’d say Taylor Swift was channeling something closer to the “Edie Sedgwick on the Good Ship Lollipop” look. Both Swift and Sabrina Carpenter managed to pull off edgy looks while serving some serious vintage vibes.
Is Taylor Swift on the verge of adopting a brand-new persona? The 14-time Grammy winner dazzled and delighted fashion critics, who were left to ponder over her daring plaid ensemble from Christian Dior. Some have even speculated that her new look—set against a potential upcoming new musical era—could signify a shift into her next chapter. Swift reliable wows in the spotlight, but there’s something about this moment that seems loaded with possibility. The fabric of her outfit holds dramatic tension, as does the look itself. From the knee-high black boots that infuse her ‘fit with a new kind of grown-up energy, to the edgy strappy gloves that sweeten the deal, to the bold choker that frames Swift’s face and allows the eye to travel with ease from her head to her ‘fit, everything here denotes a kind of strong style that moves like a narrative.
Chapel Rone is no stranger to making an entrance and leaving an impact. At 26 years old, the up-and-coming artist already has a wealth of experience under her belt. For her most recent showing at the Venice Biennale—a big deal in the art world—Rone dressed herself in the manner of an artist in action, glittering in a sheer gown, with the added visual punch and intense spectacle of what was clearly a cape, but looked much like a wing. I wondered if the spray paint that Rone was apparently using in the performance piece was poisonous.
Sabrina Carpenter looked like a dream in vintage white and silver. The stunning Bob Mackie gown amplified her Botticelli-esque beauty and otherworldly presence. With bold red lips and nearly symphonic curls, she positively twinkled with a 21st-century version of classic Hollywood glamour, thanks in no small part to her sparkling necklace tumbling from a swan’s neck.
Addison Rae’s outfit was pushing the limits and almost flirted with being too much. In a white look that was expertly tailored, she had a tullé train—yes, a tullé train—that left the crowd astonished at the daringness of it all. Katy Perry, however, went for an old Hollywood vibe with an unstudied yet glamorous two-piece that gave a subtle but clear peek at her abs. She and Orlando Bloom had the sweetest moment together on the carpet. I mean, how many times can one person get away with looking so good and with so little effort?
Hal Bailey wore a mind-blowing red sequin dress that brought back the nostalgia of Beyoncé’s iconic 2003 MTV Video Music Awards performance. Red was trending on the carpet, with even more stunning examples—like HyunA’s fierce A-line red and black leopard-print dress—that left the crowd gasping. Black was the other color of choice, dark and sultry. No one illustrated that better than Megan Thee Stallion hosting the show in a mermaid-form black gown that nearly reached the floor with an impeccably sleek bodice. Camila Cabello in black took it to another level with her wild black veil that seemed to give her all the edge without sacrificing a smidge of elegance.
If black stood for sophistication for the women, it meant classic cool for the men. Shawn Mendes and Rauw Alejandro both worked earthy allure into their appearances, Mendes in a sleek black ensemble and Alejandro in a black outfit with an army green top. Lenny Kravitz, breaking boundaries as ever, flouted an edgy leather look complemented by the aviator sunglasses he is known for.
The night’s unexpected moment came when Access Hollywood’s guest correspondent, Emily Rosco, caught up with Chapel Rone. For the first time ever, this award show newbie was confirming her participation in all the excitement and honors recently bestowed upon her. Rone successfully lent a certain calm and grace to the energetic chaos surrounding her, showing with the first of her three outfits that night that she has emerged as a real fashion contender among her peers. … Rosco coaxed a really nice little narrative out of Rone as to what it was like to experience the award show for the first time.
It’s easy to see the clear, notable change underway, with the music world’s females being honored more than ever at this year’s VMAs. Chapel, alongside other big names like Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams, didn’t just showcase one form of “powerful artistic expression” during the ceremony. They shared several. And if “changing the game” and “setting new standards” speak to anything, it’s the flowing gowns, meaningful speeches, and, yes, the stunning looks that were *Chicago Med*-like in their starkness—virtually all the artists present were female.
