If there was one thing louder than the bass at this year’s MTV VMAs, it was the colour red. Loud, punk, punchy, and just on the edge of obnoxious, tomato red dominated the carpet at the UBS Arena in New York on Sunday, September 7. From gowns to minis, boas to boots, it seemed like everyone had dipped into the same Pantone swatch.
The night itself was packed with headline moments: Sabrina Carpenter bagged Album of the Year for Short n’ Sweet as well as Best Pop Artist while Ariana Grande scooped Best Pop Video before snagging the show’s top honour, Video of the Year. In between the trophies, the true winners were those who embraced the season’s boldest shade.
Carpenter herself opened the colour conversation, stepping out in custom Valentino - delicate lace tempered with a pastel boa, thanks to stylist Jared Ellner. Love Island USA season seven runner-up Olandria, styled by Matthew and Reginald Reisman, followed suit in a fiery Cheney Chan corset dress that solidified her post-villa wardrobe as nothing short of elite. Ciara leaned into big, blousy glamour via a Schiaparelli SS25 number, while Sexy Red (doing exactly what her name promises) showed up in a scarlet mini and matching boots.
The shade bled into the performances too - Spliff Star, Busta Rhymes, and GloRilla coordinated head-to-toe in red, while J Balvin opted for a candy-stripe effect. Even Conan Gray, who softened things in a bruised hue, couldn’t resist.
Why the takeover? Red is the ultimate crowd-pleaser: it photographs nicely, signals confidence, and matches the high-octane energy of the awards night. And as we roll into autumn, the colour shows no sign of quieting.
Renee Washington, Grazia's digital fashion and beauty writer, lives online. With a penchant for wispy lashes and streetwear, she writes about the worlds of fashion and beauty from the viewpoint of the modern fashion girlie..