The MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs), as nostalgic as they can sometimes seem, are still a platform for cementing the stars of tomorrow, no matter if music videos are watched far more online than on television these days.

Their nature as a platform for rising talent makes the VMAs a reliable venue for fresh faces – and for the types of fun and freaky fashion risks that people young and old might avoid at more traditional award shows.

Some of those statements on the red carpet at the 41st VMAs on Sunday (Sept 7) included feathery pastel boas and hats, bedazzled coffee cups and a Labubu dressed like the Moon Person statuette given to VMA winners.

At this year’s ceremony, they included Ariana Grande for video of the year; Lady Gaga for "Artiste Of The Year"; Rose and Bruno Mars for song of the year, APT; and Alex Warren for "Best New Artiste".

It was a night heavy with over-the-top fashion, but some looks were hard to forget.

Doja Cat

On the carpet, the rapper and singer said that her bouncy blond waves and busty Balmain harlequin dress were nods to the 1980s. They also seemed to be channeling the style codes of Dolly Parton.

Read more: The most memorable red carpet fashion at this year's Cannes Film Festival

Sombr

Known for his melancholy ballads, the singer evoked that reputation in a black Valentino jacket with embroidered lapels that, from afar, looked a little like the two sides of a broken heart.

Ariana Grande and Sabrina Carpenter

Seeing Grande, in her polka-dot Fendi dress, beside Sbrina Carpenter, in her lacy red Valentino gown and purple boa, brought to mind two high school BFFs (best friends forever) posing in their finery at a big school dance.

Audrey Nuna

Wearing a poofy floor-skimming puffer coat and big bowlike braids in her hair, the singer, who voices a member of the fictional band Huntrix in the film KPop Demon Hunters, commanded space – and attention.

Ice Spice

The rapper’s upswept hair and corseted ensemble from the Ralph Lauren archives had the romantic colours and bygone style of the period drama’s costumes.

Read more: 'Superman' versus 'Fantastic Four': Who wins the red carpet style showdown?

JHart

One observation about the singer-songwriter’s 2200CC “four arm” jacket: Its appendages mostly drew attention away from his ruffled pants.

Tate McRae

Revealing as it might have been, on a red carpet with a lot of loud looks, the singer’s airy white Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown functioned as a sort of palette cleanser.

Lenny Kravitz

Any up-and-coming star hoping to hone a distinctive look would benefit from studying the musician, who is a master of pulling off high fashion – in this case a windowpane-check Saint Laurent suit – with rock-n-roll flair. – ©2025 The New York Times Company

This article originally appeared in The New York Times.