MTV‘s Video Music Awards is always a mixed bag, style-wise, and Sunday night’s event at New York’s USB Arena was no exception — from the sublime to outright silly, the 2025 VMAs once again proved that music artists love making unabashed red-carpet statements.

With the much-touted move to broadcast the 2025 VMAs on CBS this year, it seems like at least two sponsors also laid claim to the carpet, from the guy who appeared early as a giant Dorito chip to Hacks actress Megan Stalter, who discussed her love of coffee while holding a crystal-embellished Dunkin’ Donuts coffee cup (her white dress likewise was meant to evoke thoughts of a to-go cup). These events and red-carpet appearances are pricey to produce, after all, and if any awards show is going to take advantage of advertiser shout-outs, it’s the one that’s been a rule-breaker from the start, yes?

Perhaps most surprisingly, a fashion trend presented itself on the carpet: a profuse amount of plaid, from J Balvin’s double-breasted suit to GloRilla’s schoolgirl-styled corset skirt suit and the plaid skirt Ice Spice paired with a corset, both from Ralph Lauren’s 2003 collection.

Who balanced high style with a splash of flamboyance? Here’s a look at 10 stars who understood the assignment.

Doja Cat in Balmain

Before Doja Cat channeled Max Headroom and performed “Jealous Type” as the night’s opening number, she made the night’s first major statement on the red carpet, wearing a harlequin-patterned dress accented with pink embroidery along the neckline, from Balmain’s 2024 pre-fall collection. She completed the look with Chopard jewels and Judith Leiber’s Seductress Crystal Lipstick Clutch.

Sabrina Carpenter in Valentino

Carpenter’s penchant for lingerie influences isn’t exclusive to her stage performances; they also inspired her red carpet look Sunday night. Nominated for eight awards at the 2025 VMAs, Carpenter paired a sheer red lace gown with a lilac-hued feather boa, both by Valentino. Tiffany & Co. diamonds finished the look.

Lenny Kravitz in Saint Laurent

Sexy and tailored — that’s Lenny Kravitz in a nutshell. The best rock video for “Honey” nominee wore a Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello suit on the carpet, a combination of a wool jacket in a Prince of Wales plaid with high-rise pants in a wool check, finished with the label’s Rainer boots.

Ariana Grande in Fendi

Ariana Grande and image architect Law Roach hit the MTV carpet together, and unsurprisingly the Wicked star and multi-VMA nominee’s black and white polka-dot dress included a great backstory. Silvia Venturini Fendi wore a similar gown in the 1980s, so Roach reached out to the Italian label, which created an updated custom version, a column gown with a sweetheart strapless necklace and a blush contrast peplum waist. (Was that bit of pink a nod to Wicked for Good, which indeed premiered as a trailer during the 2025 VMAs?) Grande’s look was finished with Swarovski jewels and Jimmy Choo shoes.

Katseye in Dolce & Gabbana

The night’s winner for Push performance of the year, the ladies of Katseye coordinated their looks through Dolce & Gabbana, an assortment of pieces that ranged from designs rooted in the house’s DNA to looks from the spring 2025 runway.

Paris Hilton in The Blonds

It’s been roughly two decades since Paris Hilton turned “that’s hot” into an industry — she trademarked the phrase in 2007 — and for Sunday night’s show, creative director David Blond and designer Phillipe Blond had the perfect look for her. From their Fall 2024 “Fuego Rubio” (or “Blonde Fire”) collection, Hilton wore this leather flame-inspired corset dress with matching gloves. That’s hot, indeed.

Ricky Martin in Rahaminov Diamonds

The first-ever recipient of MTV’s Latin Icon award, Ricky Martin amped up his red carpet look with a decidedly Latin influence, from the black flared pants to the fully open shirt — the latter to best display his jewels by Rahaminov Diamonds, including a necklace featuring a 12-carat brown diamond.

LL Cool J

As the host of the 2025 VMAs, LL Cool J wore a plethora of stylish looks Sunday night, but none so dapper as his red carpet ensemble. His bold plaid coat was the perfect touch of tailoring over his relaxed shirt and slacks, while his boater hat quickly drew raves on social media. That touch of green peeking out from his shirt cuff is Jacob & Co.’s Epic X Chrono 44mm watch in black titanium and ceramic with an emerald rubber strap.

Tate McRae in Ludovic de Saint Sernin

Tate McRae was a winner before the show started, picking up the 2025 VMA song of summer award for “Just Keep Watching.” McRae made a splash on the carpet in a sheer look by Paris-based Ludovic de Saint Sernin, a gown she said was designed to convey a Medusa vibe that also influenced her performance of the song minutes later. McRae completed the look with Marli diamond jewelry and shoes by Stuart Weitzman.

GloRilla in Helen Anthony

Nominated with Sexyy Red for best hip-hop video, for “WHATCHU KNO ABOUT ME,” GloRilla channeled schoolgirl charm in a plaid suit with corset detailing by London-based label Helen Anthony. The hot pink Versace bucket bag added a perfect splash of bright color against the deeper hues of the plaid.