Versace
You can't talk about VMA fashion without talking about Versace. The Italian house's DNA—bold, glamorous, and unapologetically sexy—is a perfect match for the show's chaotic energy. In the 90s, it was Cindy Crawford's bondage-inspired dress that set the tone.
Fast forward to recent years, and the brand is still a go-to for major statements. Lil Nas X's all-lavender, crystal-embroidered pantsuit in 2021 was pure Versace perfection: glamorous, theatrical, and completely confident. When Jennifer Lopez received the Video Vanguard Award in 2018, she cycled through six different Versace looks in a single night. Versace isn't just worn at the VMAs; it's used to create moments that define careers and capture the pop culture zeitgeist.
Mugler
If Versace is about sexy glamour, Mugler is about otherworldly, sculptural fantasy. The brand, both in its original Thierry Mugler incarnation and under the current direction of Casey Cadwallader, specializes in looks that transform the human body into a work of art. This makes it ideal for artists looking to make a high-fashion, high-impact statement. At the 2021 VMAs, Megan Fox arrived in a completely sheer, custom Mugler dress that instantly became one of the most talked-about looks of the night. The brand's signature cut-out bodysuits and sharp-shouldered silhouettes have been worn by stars like Ariana Grande and Madison Beer, who understand that a Mugler piece isn't just a dress—it's armor for the pop warrior.
Jean Paul Gaultier
For decades, Jean Paul Gaultier has been fashion's resident agent of chaos, gleefully subverting norms around gender, sexuality, and taste. His most famous VMA-adjacent creation is undoubtedly the conical bra corset he designed for Madonna's 'Blond Ambition' tour in 1990, a look that forever cemented the link between pop music and provocative fashion. But Gaultier's influence extends far beyond that single garment. His brand ethos—punk rebellion meets Parisian couture—is the spiritual godparent of the VMA red carpet. When Lady Gaga accepted an award in 2009 wearing a Gaultier lace dress paired with a wild Keko Hainswheeler neck brace, she was channeling a legacy of irreverence that Gaultier pioneered.
The Blonds
While European houses provide high-concept drama, New York-based duo The Blonds deliver pure, unadulterated VMA sparkle. For over a decade, Phillipe and David Blond have been the go-to designers for artists who want to look like a pop star incarnate. Their specialty is the crystal-encrusted corset and the bespoke, theatrical bodysuit—garments practically invented for a VMA performance. They've dressed everyone from Beyoncé and Madonna to Katy Perry, who wore one of their silver minis in 2009. A piece by The Blonds isn't subtle; it’s designed to catch the stage lights and the audience's full attention. It’s the brand you wear when you want to remind everyone you're the main event.
Schiaparelli
Under the direction of American designer Daniel Roseberry, the surrealist heritage of Schiaparelli has found a new home: the modern, meme-obsessed red carpet. Schiaparelli's designs—featuring gold-plated anatomical details, otherworldly silhouettes, and a sharp sense of humor—are practically guaranteed to go viral, making them a perfect fit for the VMAs. When Brazilian superstar Anitta arrived in 2022 wearing a couture gown with an asymmetrical corset and an anatomical heart pendant covering one breast, it was a moment of pure fashion theater. Schiaparelli provides the kind of artistic, conversation-starting looks that elevate a celebrity from merely well-dressed to a walking art installation, a key goal for any ambitious VMA attendee.
Balenciaga
While other brands scream for attention with skin and sparkle, Balenciaga under Demna has perfected the art of the anti-statement statement. The brand has become a VMA staple for a certain kind of mega-celebrity who is too famous to need a conventional red carpet look. Think of Kim Kardashian's head-to-toe black fabric covering, a look that completely obscured her face and body yet was utterly unmistakable. Or Justin Bieber's oversized, almost cartoonishly baggy suits. These outfits reject traditional glamour in favor of something more conceptual and disruptive. In a sea of sequins and slits, a figure shrouded entirely in black or draped in enormous tailoring creates its own kind of spectacle, proving that sometimes the most shocking thing you can do at the VMAs is cover up.
