VMA’S 2020: Hits, Misses, and So Much Mugler

The 2020 Music Television Video Music Awards were this past Sunday and for the first time, without an audience but still filled with new and old talent alike. Although this year’s award show was televised a little differently, the arts were alive and well on stage and off-grid. Coming through with their first, “virtual” show, Keke Palmer led us through the night with a variety of star-studded presenters and performances. While some made statements and some didn’t, some wore masks and some didn’t. With that being said, a fun game to play while watching the show (if you haven’t watched yet) is take a shot every time you see someone wearing a mask. Anywhooo, this is the first-ever virtual VMA 2020 fashion review…enjoy ⚡

Image Courtesy: Strike FSU

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga took home not only the most hardware this year but arrived with the most hardware. Even with multiple outfit changes and a very Lady Gaga comeback performance to the VMAs, Gaga was COVID conscious with a cool and crazy mask each time she graced the stage. If there was an award for mask-wearer of the night, Gaga would take that one home too. Receiving the Tricon award was most appropriate for Gaga at this point in her career – being a woman of so many talents and a recipient of different awards that very few say they have in their lifetime, and especially so young. Between her eighties, punk attired pop performance, and receiving five awards, Gaga still gave us nine iconic looks that took us back to her Fame days, but with a Chromatica twist. Gaga entered the pre-show carpet with a real-life imitation of the moon man in an Area jacket, Conrad Muscarella headpiece, Pleaser shoes, and Dena Kemp jewelry. She then accepted her first reward in Iris van Herpen and a custom Cecilio Designs Facemask. Another award was accepted in a neon green Christopher John Rogers gown, with Lillian Shalom rings, a House of Emmanuele necklace, and a German Kabriski arm cuff. By the middle of the show, we finally got the performance everyone was waiting for with this Dolls Kill dreamland fashion show with three different outfits. We are taken into Gaga’s Chromatica world with another neon green ensemble designed by Vex Clothing. With the snap of a finger, Gaga was harnessed and tightened up in a Dead Fetish Couture bikini, Vex Clothing sleeves and gloves, Andre 1 boots, and Smooth Technology digital mask for her Rain on Me transitional performance with Ariana Grande. For her final performing look, Gaga again was quickly zipped up into a skin-tight pink and purple BCALLA catsuit, and Saint Laurent booties. Gaga entered the stage for her third awards like Victoria’s Secret angel in a Valentino Haute Couture catsuit and cape, Pleaser platform boots, Maison Met mask, and Dena Kemp jewelry. Receiving the show’s first-ever Tricon award which seems to be replacing their Video Vanguard Award acknowledging musicians who have also gone onto have successful careers in other creative fields including acting and fashion, Gaga looked like she was the ruler of her own planet in a Candace Cuoco silver jacket, Valentino catsuit, Manuel Albarran chocker and bra, Lance V Moore face armor, Lillian Shalom rings, a Maison Met mask, and Pleaser shoes. Carrying her awards back on the pre-show carpet, Gaga took a break by sitting her queen booty down surrounded by her moon men in an MTV VMAs x Chromatica t-shirt by Haus of Gaga, Michael Ngo mask, and Pleaser shoes.

Ariana Grande

Ari joined Gaga for an unforgettable performance for their hit and now award-winning song, Rain On Me. But it was her pre-performance look that was one of many of the night sporting Mugler. Between its form, leather, and dark purple color, Grande’s Mugler bodysuit and the mini skirt had us not only ready for her punk-pop performance but for Halloween as well. Although Grande wasn’t seen on the pre-show carpet, she thankfully posted a series of Instagram pictures showing off this spacey look, accompanied by a twist on her long poney - split into two pigtails.

Bella Hadid

Provocative in the most professional way, Bella had us looking up and down and all around in her sheer Dojaka ensemble. Designed by Albanian designer, Nensi Dojaka, this look is lingerie meets business boss babe Bella, and Ms. Hadid did mean business as she was there to present.

The Weeknd

Video of the Year went to The Weeknd (along with Best R&B Video) and it was only appropriate that he shows up in his award attributing outfit. From the pre-show carpet to his intense skyscraper performance, and ready to accept both his awards, The Weeknd was in complete After Hours character.

Jaden Smith

Although he was not on the list of creative powerhouse performers, Jaden Smith still popped on the pre-show carpet and as a presenter. Paying homage to his recent album release, you couldn’t tell Smith apart from CTV3: Cool Tape Vol. 3. Screaming confidence and just there to have the best time one can during these times, Smith also threw a graphic tee underneath – screaming youth and coolness – and kept the rest just as casual with some light denim and chunky sneakers.  

Machine Gun Kelly

Machine Gun Kelly is inarguably the best-dressed man of the night. This three-piece attire and shoes can be credited to designer Berluti. Nothing screams, “I don’t care and I like it,” more than these outfits. Wearing these is one thing, but to be so naturally confident and not forcing it while strutting in these is another. MGK took home his first-ever VMA for the best alternative and kept the excitement going through eccentric color with his purple jumpsuit as he presented the award for the best new artist.

Madison Beer

Madison Beer was the most Madison Beer ever in her VMA pre-show and presenter look. Crediting Mugler for this LBD, Beer had everyone’s jaw-dropping. This look really made me wish she was there a little longer than just presenting – does this presenter appearance mean we can we catch a VMA performance next year? Fingers crossed.

Joey King

Versace was hugging Joey King in all the right places with this loud floral print piece. The gold chains give the look a nice edge away from her Kissing Booth character. The look was topped off with a cute pair of red heels and some gold clips also marked with iconic Versace medusas, keeping King’s hair sleek and in place.

Miley Cyrus

 Like Madison, Miley was bold, beautiful, and fierce in her Mugler gown. Leaving little to the imagination, Cyrus made this look come more alive than it did on the model. Cyrus returned from her last performance at the VMAs with no holding back on her sexuality and creativity combined, bringing back another kick-ass performance to the VMA stage.

Nicole Richie

Nicole Richie shows up as presenter giving us fun eighties vibes in chartreuse, overly fabricated mini with a train following. Her word is that she picked this Cong Tri designed dress to recognize her upcoming album that is supposedly, socially conscious. To be honest, she looks like cute little kiwi and I’m here for it – if there was a little less fabric. Also, if Richie is alluding to a socially conscious album with this look, I would hope this dress was sustainably made.

Sofia Carson

Singer and actress, Sofia Carson decided to show up in a more glam take on tonight’s show with a red one-shoulder Giambattista Valli peplum gown. Don’t get me wrong – she looks fantastic – but the look is a little disappointing considering the VMA’s is one of few awards shows that you can do whatever you want when it comes to fashion.

Chloe x Halle

Performing their song, “Ungodly Hour,” Chloe x Halle were synchronized in matching chrome bodysuits, thigh-high boots, and silver shiny and metal detailing throughout, giving us a medieval times meets super stellar performance.

CNCO

Latin American boy band looked better together on stage than they did on the pre-show carpet. Although I appreciate them pushing for a more individual style on the pre-show carpet, it still feels like they could’ve kept some color coordination throughout (or even tried a little harder – come on guys, it the VMAs). But the boys pulled through and gave a fun performance in a red, black, and white 2000s vibe with baggy clothing, graffiti pants, jerseys over hoodies, chunky sneakers, camo, and colored hair.

BTS

BTS looked to be more on the dapper end for boy bands present tonight and gave a super socially distant performance all the way from South Korea.

DaBaby

DaBaby was a label king on the pre-show carpet with a Dolce & Gabana hat, Supreme jacket, and Louis Vuitton shorts. Clashing designers is typically so taboo, but by enforcing a more achromatic look, DaBaby gets the job done. DaBaby not only made a statement attacking different issues, including forest fires and police brutality in his VMA performance, but also possibly paid tribute to the late Kobe Bryant in his Laker inspired outfit, with which he continued to be layered in labels.

Maluma

Like DaBaby, Maluma transitioned into a same but different look from the pre-show to his performance. Maluma kept it the most fashion forward in his Balmain double breasted silk jacket but threw on some white sneakers for a more casual performance during his hit, Hawaii. His outfit makes you feel like you’re on a tropical island – which is a nice allusion during these times.

Doja Cat

Doja Cat walked away with two awards and three looks that’ll have you pulled in different directions on the time span of fashion. On the pre-show and to accept her award, Doja lowkey gave us a sneak peek into her spacey Say So show. Flirty and fun, Doja was dressed in Versace in a reflective mini. If anything, this was one of the best debut performances for an artist I have ever seen on the VMA stage, especially being under the pressure of a different type of awards show. But Doja Cat took on the virtual challenge and came up with a futuristic alien look in a custom Asher Levine catsuit bedazzled in Lorraine Schwartz diamonds. Prior to the extraterrestrial performance, Doja introduces her own performance with a punk alter ego, “Something Quirkier.” Between the intricate and robotic dance moves and her alien-like voice, Doja Cat truly brought us to another planet, far from Earth, which begs me to ask – can I come?

Strike Out,

Writer: Joey Flanagan

Graphics: Audrey Estupinan

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