2026 VMAS: The Night’s Most Talked-About Style

Before the broadcast kicked off, the blue carpet for the 2026 MTV VMAs indicated that perhaps this might be Madonna’s night beyond all other artists, no matter how many of her 13 nominations might translate to a Moon Person trophy.

Stars walking the carpet at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles name-checked Madonna more than any other as the person they were most eager to see. “She’s the icon,” Normani explained, while Lucky Daye — wearing a fabulous suit from Campillo’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection — happily launched into “Like a Virgin” with two red-carpet reporters from CBS Los Angeles. “I love Madonna! She’s my girl,” he added.

Much of the night’s style reflected that idea as well. Corsets, bustiers and lingerie details were key to many red-carpet looks, perhaps a nod to Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” performance at the inaugural MTV VMAs in 1984. Bebe Rexha admitted on the carpet that the iconic moment indeed was her inspiration for her look, a black lace corset with train by Dreaming Elie.

Of course, if anyone could rival Madonna for attention at the 2026 VMAs, surely it was Taylor Swift, who arrived five minutes before the broadcast kicked off and caused an amusing moment of confusion among the photographers on the carpet: “Miss Swift?” cried one, trying to get her attention. “Wait, should we call you Mrs. Kelce now?” Ms. Swift did not answer, but the photogs got their shots.

More than any other awards show, the MTV VMAs reflect a theatricality and undeniable whimsy among the night’s stars, who eschew all rules and dress as they please. The result is a hodgepodge of style that runs the gamut, from overtly sexy to fashion-forward to tailored elegance. Here are 10 looks that lit up social media.

Teyana Taylor in Zuhair Murad

A best collaboration nominee for “Hard Part” with Lucky Daye, Taylor was an early arrival at the 2026 VMAs, also because she was the night’s first presenter. The musician and actress loves to push the envelope with her style, and that was true of her choice here, a sheer black coat with feathered collar, cuffs and hem, from Zuhair Murad’s Fall 2026 haute-couture collection.

Taylor Swift in Tamara Ralph Couture

With nine nominations and receiving the night’s inaugural Artist Director Honors, Swift timed her arrival at the 2026 VMAs beautifully, as the night’s final and most anticipated arrival. After all, this is her first major carpet appearance since she and Travis Kelce married in July, and while he was 2,740 miles away playing (and besting) the Miami Dolphins, Swift looked the picture of elegance in a Fall 2026 gown with a dropped asymmetrical waist, by Tamara Ralph Couture. She completed the look with jewels by Leviev and Greece-based Etho Maria.

Lisa in Quine Li and The Attico

Among the night’s most dramatic looks, this crimson gown and coat worn by Blackpink’s Lisa needed to be seen on the carpet — not only because it was undeniably fabulous, but also because she changed immediately upon entering the Peacock Theater. The pairing consisted of a faux-fur coat by New York-based Quine Li and a matching gown with corset boning by Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini, designers and creative directors of Milan-based The Attico. She accessorized the look with Rainbow K’s Tribal earring in 18-karat white gold and diamonds. Seemingly just minutes later, the actress and musician was onstage accepting her fourth Moon Person trophy as a solo artist, this year for best pop video, now wearing an ensemble by by Russian designer Daniil Antsiferov.

Troye Sivan in Erdem

Gender fluidity also was a theme on the 2026 VMAs carpet, seen in Troye Sivan’s look, which originally made its debut last week in London during the Spring/Summer 2027 collections. The mix of masculine and feminine in the design resulted in an elegant, forward tuxedo accented with a pannier of ostrich feathers and a train in satin and tulle. Sivan completed his look with Spinelli Kilcollin jewels.

Chloe Bailey in House of Idan

Sheer beaded gowns are now a VMAs staple, and this year Chloe Bailey turned heads in this design that blended crystals and mirrored beading, by Israel-based House if Idan. She paired the look with an assortment of diamond jewels by Chopard and Miraki.

Normani in Robert Wun

Normani looks thoroughly covered up in this bronze gown from Robert Wun’s Fall 2025 haute-couture collection, but turning on the carpet revealed a low open back with delicate lacing. The London-based designer included the dramatic floral brooch at the shoulder, as well as sheer sleeves that finished in gloves. She completed her look with shoes by Daccori.

Sombr in custom ERL

Fur likewise reigned on the carpet at the 2026 VMAs — a bit of a head scratcher knowing it was 86 degrees in Los Angeles and people were complaining about the heat upon arrival at the Peacock Theater. But those stalwarts who desired the glamour of faux fur pressed on, including Sombr, who wore a custom take on a Fall/Winter 2026 look by ERL, based in Venice Beach. Designed by ERL founder Eli Russell Linnetz, the look consisted of a faux fur skunk coat paired with flared leather trousers cut from deadstock fabric, then layered with handmade silver and pearl skate chain by artist Tom Binns. Linnetz crafted with crystal and stone “SEX” belt buckle from pieces he’s collected over the years, according to a statement from the label.

Paris Hilton in The Blonds

Amid the profusion of black and a splash of crimson here and there, silver likewise dominated the night’s color palette, notably in this futuristic look worn by Paris Hilton and designed by The Blonds, who definitely know how to inject drama and whimsy into every design. The minidress with draped neckline and side cutouts is from the designers’ Fall 2025 collection, while the boots take their cue from their 20th-anniversary show in New York this month, which included Hilton as a model.

Adam Lambert in custom Charles De Vilmorin Couture

On the carpet, Lambert noted that his appearance at the 2026 VMAs and the July release of his self-titled album, ADAM, are both rooted in honoring the queer creatives who have always inspired him. His look Sunday night paid tribute to fashion icon André Leon Talley, the renowned Vogue editor and contributor who died in 2022. Lambert worked with Paris-based designer Charles de Vilmorin, who custom-designed both the dramatic cape in black silk taffeta and the feathered headpiece, which takes its cue from an iconic design by famed milliner Philip Treacy.

Bebe Rexha in Dreaming Elie

From the lace corset to the diamond cross necklace, Bebe Rexha was all in with paying tribute to Madonna with her look at the 2026 VMAs. The corset and lace train are from Dreaming Elie’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection, which the artist paired with Jimmy Choo’s Scarlett lace boots and diamond jewels by Loree Rodkin.