A number of nominees, performers and presenters at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards changed outfits after the red carpet, turning the ceremony into a second runway as performances and presentations began. Several artists wore multiple designers throughout the night, shifting from their step-and-repeat looks to new ensembles for stages and onstage moments.
Among the changes were high-profile swaps by Ariana Grande, who appeared in three separate looks during the evening, and Sabrina Carpenter, who carried a vintage Bob Mackie piece from the carpet into the event. Lady Gaga, Rosé, Paris Hilton and other stars also traded their initial arrivals for different looks once the show was underway.
Ariana Grande’s in-show rotations included a Tamara Ralph Couture gown, a statement outfit by designer Steve O Smith, and a Givenchy look. Grande’s multiple changes reflected a trend at the show of tailoring wardrobe shifts to performance and camera moments.
Lady Gaga arrived in Marc Jacobs and later changed into a different stage-ready outfit. Sabrina Carpenter wore vintage Bob Mackie on the carpet and followed with an alternate look for her onstage duties. Rosé appeared in Oscar de la Renta for at least one of her looks during the night.
Paris Hilton, Mariah Carey and other presenters and performers also showcased swaps. Hilton wore Luca Falcioni on the red carpet; Carey appeared in a Julian Mendez Couture design; Ice Spice and Latto coordinated in Dsquared2; Jessica Simpson selected Mugler; and Tate McRae and GloRilla made notable appearances in different outfits tied to their roles that night.
The flurry of changes underscores a practical rhythm at awards shows: the red carpet functions as a publicity moment, while performances, winner announcements and televised segments often call for additional costume changes to suit choreography, stage lighting and camera framing. Designers credited for the evening ranged from vintage high fashion to contemporary couture, reflecting a mix of archival and new-season pieces.
Outfit swaps occurred throughout the broadcast rather than at a single point, with many artists transitioning between looks as they moved from carpet to stage or back-stage interviews. The sequence of appearances and changes provided multiple fashion moments beyond the event’s initial arrivals, generating considerable attention on social and entertainment pages discussing the night’s style highlights.
The VMAs continued to serve as both a music-industry awards platform and a high-profile fashion showcase, with artists and designers leveraging the evening for staged reveals as well as red-carpet statements. Coverage of the night’s looks captured both the first impressions on the step-and-repeat and the subsequent costume changes that accompanied performances and presentations.