This past weekend, MTV aired its 2011 VMA Awards, causing many age-groups to tune-in for what could now be classified as another awkward awards show full of live moments, some good and some cringe worthy. But before anyone knew all of this, there were many varied reasons to tune in: for the performance line-up, to see who won the once coveted "moon man" awards or for what the celebrities chose to wear upon arrival. Keeping in line with that, today's trend post will try to focus on the "black carpet" looks. Some were good, some were great and some were just...well, you'll see.
The Best
Demi Lovato sparkled in this silver low-cut Mandalay minidress, Christian Louboutin platforms and full of body-and-bounce loose curls.
Once you get past the cube adorning Katy Perry's colorful Christian Dior ensemble, you can see how the geometric patterned-outfit is on trend with color blocking and mixing, yet matching, patterns.
Beyonce wore this beautiful bright and flowy one-shouldered Lanvin gown with bold statement jewelry and platform heels.
Her best accessory by far that evening had to be her growing baby bump that she highlighted on the carpet.
She later hit the stage in this purple-sequined Dolce & Gabbana tux.
Beyonce's former Destiny's Child group-member Kelly Rowland also dazzled upon her arrival in this Falguni & Shane Peacock dress, made up of a mix of feathers and leather. She accentuated the look with tasteful - yet ample - cleavage and Christian Louboutin peep-toe stilettos.
Adele has become a household name with her soulful voice and wore this custom Barbara Tfank dress with a triangular embellishment along the neckline. Her "kicky" bouffant and heels add height and balance to her look.
Nicole 'Snooki' Polizzi actually looks as pulled-together as she may ever get in this cleavage enhancing gilded strapless gown which she accentuated with sparkly gold heels and jewelry.
Britney Spears gets a pass in this zig-zag pattered, thigh-grazing Moschino romper, but where fault is found is in the open-toed patent-leather platform boots. They're (literally) one step away from the strip club.
Zoe Saldana keeps things short and to the point in this barely there black Barbara Bui dress with a metallic bodice and leather-edged cap sleeves.
Barbara Bui also designed her ankle-strap, python platform heels. Absolutely superb.
Newly-married Kim Kardashian is "back to work", wearing this KaufmanFranco silver-beaded gown that's not only cleavage-y but the sheer back panel heightens her, umm, "ass"ets. Did Mr. Humphries approve this look before she left the house?
Life without Ashlee Simpson seems to 'suit' Pete Wentz well, as he arrived looking clean shaven and eye-liner free in this quite dapper slim gray suit and pointy patent-leather shoes.
Taylor Lautner's teen-heartthrob days will continue to beat strong so long as he continues to wear outfits as simple as a blazer, unbuttoned-to-there Henley shirt, skinny jeans and boots. The look is appropriate for the event, and for his 'Team Jacob' fans.
Justin Bieber takes a risk, but wins in this pairing of red skinny jeans, tuxedo jacket and leopard-print sneakers. He accessorized with glasses (that seemed more for function than fashion), a YSL brooch, gold chains and get this, a real snake!
Joe Jonas also seemed to get the fitted black blazer memo, but decided to one-up his celeb friends by bedazzling the lapel. He paired it with a white shirt but then added blue jeans (that he presumably got from a female fan) and black shoes. It works for Joe though...
The Busted
Both of Katy Perry's outfits for the night were interesting, but this 'Memoirs of a Forgotten Geisha' look is a bit too faux-oriental for taste. The Asian-inspired Atelier Versace mini-dress with matching parasol looks gimmicky, not to mention matching her pink, strappy Jimmy Choo heels with her new pink hued 'do.
'Rainbow Bright' is rolling over in her animated grave as Deena Cortese of 'Jersey Shore' fame decided to not only taste the rainbow, but dress herself in its likeness. Once she's done with this dress there is a drag queen out there that would love to wear this for a gay pride event...or not.
Liz Lee is the star of MTV's "My Life as Liz" which must be a cover for her true career as the lead singer in a grunge band. That's the only explanation for why it looks like she got dressed in the back of a van, turning this simple tie-dyed sheet into a makeshift dress and would also explain why she couldn't find her heels.
Skylar Grey may be talented vocally but this look is confusing visually. First, there's the mock-neck-sleeveless-almost-mid-drift sweater-thing that's the most off-putting of crusty-mustard. If that's not bad enough she then paired said top with the most chic prison-striped pants she could find, complete with a wallet chain. Her platform boots are cool, but at this point, they're too little too late.
Lil' Mama is no stranger to being called out on her wacky fashion, but this dress isn't half bad. What is bad is that wig borrowed from the set of a 1970's blaxploitation film and those wedges with a wedge missing.
Katie Holmes seems to be trying to relive her 'Joey Potter' days in this lace-topped Azzedine Alaia dress, but the stance, nor the dress (or those shoes!) are working in her favor. At least she came to the event looking better than she did in this post.
Ne-Yo gets props for always trying to reinvent the 'gentleman' look, but this shimmery, umber-hued Prada top, paired with a shirt buttoned ALL THE WAY UP (sans tie) with an old-school fedora and oversized sunglasses are not as "dapper" as he'd like us to believe.
Even as her alter ego, Jo Calderone, Lady Gaga can't stay off the bad end of the red carpet dressed list. The look is simple enough, but the dingy-looking Uniqlo T-shirt, Brooks Brothers pants and Dior Homme jacket just look like she stepped off the stage from an off Broadway production of "Jersey Shore Side Story".
Rapper Kreayshawn has somehow found a way to pay homage to both Mickey Mouse and Amy Winehouse in this sequin-splattered frock that she finishes off with red Nikes. This look is definitely in need of 'Rehab'.
JoJo makes a serious 'no no' in this leather corseted dress that would have been fine, except for the unfortunate mistake she made of attaching two Hefty bags of trash to either side of her. Guess it makes it that much easier to toss after the show.
There is compassion for Jessie J's broken foot, but none for this glittery showgirl outfit. Ke$ha must be pissed she stole half her sparkle stash to jazz up her would-be somber bodysuit, flesh-toned tights and crutches.
This Roberto Cavalli gown ages 18-year-old Miley Cyrus almost beyond recognition. Besides the fact that it seems too dressy for the event, she looks like a girl playing dress-up in her mother's clothing. The Lorraine Schwartz choker and up-do seal the idea that this outfit will one day be appropriate for her...just not for another decade.
Selena Gomez must have thought it was Halloween when she decided to wear this lacy Julien Macdonald gown, gold Brian Atwood pumps and Judith Leiber clutch. If she would have waited just a little longer to wear this she would have made a phenomenal Elvira.
And here's the best of the worst for last. Nicki Minaj is known as much for her gimmicky costumes as her rapping skills, but this is taking it a tad too far. It looks like she just woke up from a 'Hello Kitty' slumber party that was in the path of a SARS outbreak.
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