AYRA STARR, TYLA, AND MORE STEAL THE SHOW AT THE 2025 VMAS

The 2025 MTV VMAs red carpet doubled as a runway, with music’s biggest names using fashion to make bold, unapologetic statements. Two of the most striking looks came courtesy of African stars Tyla and Ayra Starr, both of whom cemented their status as global fashion forces.

Ayra Starr channeled futuristic femme-fatale energy in a sleek, all-black ensemble that recalled a modern-day Catwoman. Her figure-hugging outfit, paired with a razor-sharp pixie cut, exuded confidence and control. Accessories were kept bold yet minimal, with sculptural bangles adding an edge of glamour. It was a look that spoke to Ayra’s growing influence, as an Afrobeats star and a cultural figure shaping style narratives on international stages.

Tyla, fresh off her Pandora campaign, turned heads in what many are already calling one of the night’s most daring red carpet looks. She reworked a vintage 1993 Chanel halter top into a micro mini dress, styled with black briefs that peeked through for an intentionally undone effect. Her limbs were wrapped in chunky Pandora chains, doubling as bracelets and anklets, while sleek black Christian Louboutin pumps grounded the look. Tyla’s styling embodied her dual persona: playful yet fearless, a star who can merge high fashion with red carpet audacity.

Elsewhere on the carpet, Doja Cat leaned into camp theatrics, delivering one of the night’s most talked-about ensembles with surreal, over-the-top styling. Lenny Kravitz proved why he remains rock’s eternal fashion god, arriving shirtless in leather with his signature cross pendant, an ode to timeless rebel energy. The night also saw Olandria make its VMA debut, showcasing how emerging designers are carving a space on music’s most visible platforms.

Together, these fashion moments underscored the VMAs’ long-held reputation as pop culture’s style playground, a space where artists don’t just perform on stage, but also compete in the visual arena of red carpet storytelling. Tyla and Ayra, in particular, reminded the world that global Black women are no longer just part of the conversation, they are defining it.