Haute Topic: Star fashion at the MTV VMAs leave much to be desired

Everyone knows the only reason I watch any awards show is for the fashion. With artists like Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and Kanye West gracing the stage at MTV’s Video Music Awards I knew I had to channel my inner Joan Rivers and dedicate this week’s column to discussing what everyone was wearing. The VMAs are the most appropriate venue for artists to put on the most outlandish and experimental outfits they can come up with. Unfortunately, the absence of Lady Gaga’s usual scene stealing ensembles caused this year’s black carpet to seem contrived and lackluster.

Best Dressed

Actress Zoe Saldana stole the show from some of the biggest stars of the music industry at this year’s VMAs in a sleek black leather and tweed mini dress by Barbara Bui. Saldana’s dress had amazing metallic bead detailing on the bodice that stood out on the carpet as well as the stage. Her snakeskin sandals were the perfect complement to the dress. Saldana was stunning and the best dressed of the night. However, I can’t say that the look was very memorable.

Kanye West is probably the most stylish man in pop culture. He couldn’t top the crimson suit he had on at last year’s awards but his Americana themed outfit was something I’d steal right off his back. I loved his ombre denim shirt and slim fitting jeans paired with a wrist full of bohemian bracelets. This outfit was the right combination of casual but cool. I will definitely be trying to recreate this outfit on myself; minus the $1,680 Nike kicks.

Katy Perry was able to look graceful in her pin-up geisha look that would have appeared to be a costume on anyone else. Her pastel colored Atelier Versace dress was probably the most beautifully designed and constructed dress of the night and definitely the most original choice. The thing I loved about Perry was that she made the effort to accessorize everything around her dress; she had a cherry blossom tucked in her purple hair and carried a parasol to complete the geisha theme. I’m going to try and ignore the strange Flintstones-inspired design she wore to accept her Video of the Year award because I have no words. Just because it was Christian Dior couture does not make it okay.

Worst Dressed

There’s nothing I can say to defend the ridiculous dress covered with toys that Nicki Minaj arrived in on the black carpet. Not only did it seem like it was thrown together on an acid trip, it was also eerily similar to something that I’ve seen on Lady Gaga before. Although the new queen of hip hop usually makes my jaw drop in a good way, her outfit choice to this year’s VMAs seems to be a failed attempt at appearing groundbreaking. The only redeeming quality was her colorful, cotton candy hair; it’s too bad she couldn’t have worn something flattering and imaginative to go with it.

Britney Spears watched as dancers reenacted her hit videos during a tribute segment wearing an unflattering and boring black romper by Moschino. Spears has not worn much other than a variation of the little black dress lately. I would not mind if it was tailored to define her waist but instead she wore a belt around her hips, which did nothing but make the frock look ill fitting and uncomfortable. Her peep toe boots were incredible but only shortened her legs in this romper. Somebody needs to get this woman a better stylist.

Miley Cyrus wore a semi-sheer sage colored crushed velvet dress by Roberto Cavalli that looks like something Stevie Nicks donated to Goodwill. The floor length dress was very unflattering due to unfortunately placed vertical panels down the sides and too long sleeves. The strange animal and flower print befuddled me; even in fashion these two prints don’t play well. Either a lower neckline or shorter sleeves should have balanced the length of the dress out. This dress, which made Cyrus look at least fifteen years older, had too much material and appeared to drag on the floor. To age herself even more, she wore her hair in a bland bun and heavy looking earrings. Cyrus earned herself the title of worst dressed.

Although I enjoyed watching Lady Gaga’s alter ego Jo Calderone make people uncomfortable on stage, I wished Gaga would have put on a dress or two to show the other stars who is boss. Even if she had picked something unattractive like last year’s meat dress, which overshadowed the incredible Alexander McQueen dress she arrived in, at least I would have something to remember this year’s totally “blah” VMAs by. An honorable mention for best-dressed must go to crooner Tony Bennett who wore a sparkly black suit.