MTV’s biggest night of the year, the Video Music Awards, is the network’s rendition of the Oscar’s when it comes to red carpet fashion. Celebrities, music industry big-wigs, and socialites alike strut their stuff down the red carpet in an attempt to shock, awe, and wow.

            The hottest trend on the carpet was actually not red, but black. Satins, silks, and sheens played up the theme of Vegas glamour. When it came to black Ashley Simpson, Fall Out Boy, Nelly Furtado, Kanye West, Alexis Phifer, Shia La Beouf, and Rosario Dawson did it best. Ashley Simpson wore a playful, charcoal mini diress with a ruffle around the bottom. Each member of Fall Out Boy matched and looked sophisticated, but not conventional in shiny and opaque black separates and vests. Nelly Furtado took a chance in a black pantsuit that accentuated her curves and made her new blonde bob stand out. It was easy to tell Kanye West is in love with a designer, because his date, Alexis Phifer, designed black outfits for each of them to wear to the event. West’s black suit was the most stylish and polished out of all the men’s fashions. Meanwhile, Phifer’s origami inspired black mini dress looked gorgeous and was elegantly paired with black shoes with a black satin flower on the top, making for the perfect accessory next to Kanye. Besides Kanye West, Shia La Beouf was the other male who’s black stood out on the red carpet. La Beouf paired a gray tie with a traditional black suit and slicked back hair that made the actor seem more grown up and dapper. Rosario Dawson showed off classic and simplistic style in her black strapless, body-hugging dress.

Black is a flattering color on most people and is perfect for an evening out. Still, some award-goers managed to look bad in black. For example, the Foo Fighters opted to mix dark blue and black t-shirts. Although they matched, they looked more like they had come from a buffet rather than an awards show. Maroon 5 also attempted to coordinate such as Fall Out Boy, but lead singer Adam Levine wore what appeared to be a black vest with bare shoulders, while his band mates looked coordinated and cozy in cool gray. Alicia Keys’ black Herve Leger dress hugged her body, but it looked like it was holding on too tight. Shanna Moakler was better dressed than husband Travis Barker, but her black Paul and Joe dress was covered with white birds, making it look like she was ready for take off, not for the V.M.A.’s. Kid Rock’s western wear was black, but it didn’t make him appear slim enough. The rock star’s black western shirt failed to fully cover his stomach. Kat Von D of “L.A. Ink” sported black biker gear, complete with leather, denim, and a noticeably red bra underneath. The black dress she wears on the commercials for “L.A. Ink” would have been a better choice.

In addition to black, metallics rocked the V.M.A.’s. Eve looked better in gold than Beyonce Knowles. Eve’s  textured dress was cut in a sexy ruffle to show off her curves and cleavage, whereas Beyonce’s gold Grecian gown exposed too many of her curves. Miss USA Tara Conner attempted a lighter metallic, that, like Beyonce’s dress, was wrapped weirdly on her body, making it seem as if there were slits on the front of her dress. Jennifer Garner’s short silver number was effortless and beautiful. The occasional stripes that swirled around Garner’s fit body were accentuated by her silver pumps and smoldering eyeshadow. “The Hills” stars Laura, Audrina, and Whitney combined metallics, black, sequins, and patterns to create three beautiful looks that were fresh and glamorous. Metal was too heavy on Lil’ Mama, however, whose Little Bo Peep/ baby costume was all Halloween trick and no treat.

Color, although not as popular a trend this year, did brighten up several celebrities and served as a nice change of pace from the blacks and metallics of the evening. Mary J. Blige wore a basic brown halter dress that trailed perfectly at her feet. Blige’s gold earrings and blonde hair highlighted the beautiful brown of her gown. 50 Cent’s Gucci green loafers were the perfect touch of color to his G-Unit Jacket, shirt, and jeans, making him appear clean cut and tasteful. Hayden Panettiere was bold in a short Roberto Cavalli blue. The color of her dress accented her blue eyes and was played up by her Louis Vuitton pumps which were clear, thus not distracting from the color of her dress. Ashanti’s basic white mini dressed contained the perfect amount of jewels so that she looked sweet and sexy. Ludacris chose gray instead of black for his jacket, which he paired with a lavender shirt and tie that made him stand out while looking regal. Even Paris Hilton’s Dolce and Gabbana animal print dress looked like a million dollars, but the best dressed star of the evening was Rhianna. The singer donned an Armani Prive strapless hot-pink gown with a sweetheart neckline. The eye-popping pink veered so far off the beaten, black track that it was reminiscent of a princess or Marilyn Monroe in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” Rhianna’s black hair and black nail polish were the perfect contrast with the bubbly pink of her dress and the deep red of the Vegas carpet.

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