Beyoncé was the star of the night, taking home the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, which daughter Blue Ivy and husband Jay Z joined her on stage to accept.
Queen B also won the most awards for the evening, taking home Moonmen in three different categories, including Best Collaboration for Drunk in Love and Best Video With a Message for Pretty Hurts.
Beyoncé also broke Justin Timberlake’s 2013 record for the longest VMA performance ever, by peforming a medley of songs from her latest self-titled album.
But while Beyoncé shone on the stage, the Red Carpet was positively lit up with shimmery dresses decorated with crystals, sheer and mesh detailing, which proved to be the stars’ favourite look of the event.
Our favourite look of the night, was Jennifer Lopez’s silver gown with a criss-cross bodice that showed off her washboard abs and sexy legs in a thigh-high slit (ABOVE). If there’s one thing that can be said for the Idols’ judge it’s that she knows how dress for her body.
Our second fave look was British Singer Rita Ora (ABOVE) who simply sizzled on the red carpet in a sultry Donna Karan Atelier red silk dress complemented by her fierce red lip. Though we’re not a huge fan of chokers, hers by Lorainne Schwartz elevated her look to Hollywood glamour.
Singer Kelly Rowland (above left) walked the red carpet in slinky light-pink halterneck gown. She accessorized the look with Lorainne Schwartz chunky bracelets and earrings, but her best accessory proved to be her cute baby bump, which she cradled throughout. Kelly’s former Destiny’s Child bandmate Michelle Williams (ABOVE RIGHT) stunned in a black and white giraffe print Roberto Cavalli dress. Teamed with a smoky eye and sleek hair, Michelle simply oozed sex-appeal.
One of our usual red carpet favourites, for her quirky and unique style, missed the mark this time. Singer Solange’s sequined navy H&M coat was too boxy and bulky for her frame, and her voluminous hair did nothing for the ensemble either (ABOVE LEFT).
Proving you can still do sequins right was newcomer Orange is The New Black actress Laverne Cox (ABOVE RIGHT). The navy Marc Bouwer mini-dress accentuated the transgender actress’ curves perfectly, and the golden tresses complimented her look perfectly.
Kim Kardashian (ABOVE LEFT) bared all in geometric-patterned Balmain dress. While we love the skirt (which one could totally rock for the office with a white top), the poncho-esque top left us cold. We love the geometric look on model Joan Smalls (ABOVE RIGHT) rather.
Two stars that certainly revealed their racier sides were model Amber Rose (ABOVE LEFT) and singer Taylor Swift (ABOVE RIGHT). Shedding her vintage, preppy girl-next-door look, Taylor went with a daring high-cut playsuit by designer Mary Katrantzou and plum strappy heels, which showed off her gorgeous long legs to perfection. Unfortunately the jumpsuit was ill-fitting and would have been better suited to someone with the curves to pull it off. Amber also failed to impress in a daring Laura Dewitt creation, which left us wondering if you could even call the series of chains a dress. We love the confidence from the mother-of-one but this look was a total miss in our book . . .
PICTURE CREDIT: Getty Images
COPY SOURCES: DailyMail, Hollywood Life, Perez Hilton