Tag: mtv vma

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MTV Video Music Awards | September 12, 2023

Jimmy Choo ‘Metz 100 Sandal’ – $750.00

To know me is to know my love of a few things: A sad Taylor song, the colour green, and an ankle strap heel. These were definitely a great, no-fuss finisher to Taylor’s outfit, especially when the overboard of accessories came up top. But what is fun to know is that this particular style did come in silver chain embellishment version with added jewels anklet-style with stars and crystals that could have been even more ‘extra’.

Worn with: Versace gown, Anita Ko + Maria Tash + VCA + David Webb + Ita + vintage jewelry, and Foundrae + Jacquie Aiche + vintage bracelets

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MTV Video Music Awards | September 12, 2023

Anita Ko ‘Stacked Diamond Ear Cuff’ – $5,297.00
Maria Tash ‘Floating Diamond Tassel Hoop’ – $25,300.00
Van Cleef & Arpels ‘Onyx and Diamond Ring’ – $12,000.00
David Webb ‘Diamond Ring’ – quote available upon request to designer
Ita Jewelry ‘Eterno Pavé Ring’ – $1,480.00
Joseph Saidian & Sons vintage diamond necklace’ – $65,000.00
Anita Ko ‘Triangle Eternity Choker’ – $43,574.00

Over the last few candid appearances, we’ve seen Taylor experimenting more with the fine art of a necklace stack and I can’t help but playfully wonder if it was in part a lead up (or inspired by) the layered styling for her MTV VMAs appearance.

The ‘more is more’ approach to accessorizing here is fun to observe, as Taylor doesn’t typically pile it on this excessively for red carpets. But it does up the ‘messy glam’ factor of her gown and mussed, spilling out updo.

Worn with: Versace gown, Foundrae + Jacquie Aiche + vintage bracelets, and Jimmy Choo sandals

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MTV Video Music Awards | September 12, 2023

Versace custom gown (pictured similar)

As is her way, Taylor can only be consistently expected to do one thing: subvert expectations. Swiftly (some might say) bypassing an opportunity to plug any of the three albums she’s either released, or is on the precipice of releasing, she went straight to a very reputation-coded Versace gown. The likes of famed supermodel lore or legendary Liz Hurley status. It’s sexy, it’s slinky, it’s very distinctively signature Versace – using Medusa-embossed buttons in a pseudo snap closure style instead of the more overt safety pin (this detail continues on the strappy open criss-cross back all the way down the back to the end of her train, which is worth a look on its own).

I personally love a classic Versace look such as these. They’ve been done, and done a lot. But I can’t fight a classic sexy siren gown like this. The decision to forego Taylor’s signature red lip, I think, is a smart one that prevents the look from going too overboard. In my opinion, the styling choices were either pile on the jewels or pile on the crimson lip. And Taylor/her team went for the former – something that’s atypical of her style. The mussed hair with the trailing pieces left out of their updo feel “roll out of bed” intimate and sensual and feels akin to the curly bangs from the reputation photoshoot. But I can’t help but think an uber sleek blowout could have been great here. 

If indeed a nod to reputation, I’ve always seen that album as one of two diametrically opposed forces: the external perceptions of who you are vs the internal realizations of the life you’re quietly building. To use a dress with so many asymmetrical details (the bodice, the straps, and even in the movement of the button detailing literally splicing her in half) as an embodiment of that would be quite appropriate. It’s also a smart use of a brand’s signature design details to (possibly) use for your own means.

Not to mention this is precisely the kind of dress at least I would envision buying so someone else could take it off. 

Worn with: Anita Ko + Maria Tash + VCA + David Webb + Ita + vintage jewelry, Foundrae + Jacquie Aiche + vintage bracelets, and Jimmy Choo sandals

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MTV Video Music Awards | Newark, NJ | August 28, 2022

Lorraine Schwartz earrings and rings

On a night of many surprises, one thing that didn’t surprise me was Taylor’s jewelry provider – the constant and wonderful Lorraine Schwartz. I particularly love that very modern and sharp shape of her drop diamond earrings.

Worn with: Oscar de la Renta dress, Pat McGrath makeup, and Christian Louboutin sandals

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MTV Video Music Awards | Newark, NJ | August 28, 2022

Pat McGrath ‘Mothership x Moonlit Seduction Palette’ – $128.00
Pat McGrath ‘Perma Precision Liquid Eyeliner’ – $28.00
Pat McGrath ‘FetishEYES Mascara’ – $32.00

Pat McGrath ‘Divine Blush in Nude Venus + Divine Rose’ – $39.00
Pat McGrath ‘Skin Fetish Highlighter + Balm Duo in Nude’ – $50.00

Pat McGrath ‘PermaGel Ultra Lip Pencil in Blood Lust + Deep Dive’ – $29.00
Pat McGrath ‘LiquiLUST Legendary Matte Lipstick in Elson 4’ – $32.00

The feeling when Pat McGrath does Taylor’s makeup and drops all. the. details.

Worn with: Oscar de la Renta dress, Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, and Christian Louboutin sandals

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MTV Video Music Awards | Newark, NJ | August 28, 2022

Christian Louboutin ‘Bombina Pampilla Sandal’ – $1,095.00 (similar)

While the dripping diamonds here are a great tie-in to the overall cascading effect of the dress, I think the similar idea of the ‘Planetava’ style Louboutins would have accomplished the same goal in a slightly cleaner silhouette.

Worn with: Oscar de la Renta dress, Pat McGrath makeup x2, and Lorraine Schwartz jewelry

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MTV Video Music Awards | Newark, NJ | August 28, 2022

Oscar de la Renta Resort 2023 – $24,990.00

I have the privilege to be able to write this caption with the full knowledge of Midnights on my mind and the awareness that this look is likely a taster of a rich, luxe, almost showgirl glam style. A new, womanly version of the retro and vintage fashion she has favoured for more than a decade – but elevated. And with a fun, vampy sex appeal.

I’m of the opinion this is not a reference to her 2009 dress from this same event – it’s distinctly different in silhouette and composition. Perhaps if I were looking at an asymmetrical one-shoulder gown with diagonal swathes of glitter – I could see the comparison. But this feels far removed from that Kaufmanfranco of 13 years prior.

While this dripping diamond mini has a lot of vintage feels (I love the halter neck), it doesn’t feel right to draw comparison to vintage Taylor fashion. This is a sartorial step in a fresh, new direction to reflect a new body of work and a new period in her life. Let’s consider and treat it as such.

Worn with: Pat McGrath makeup x2, Lorraine Schwartz jewelry, and Christian Louboutin sandals