At music awards shows, the actual prize isn't everything. You probably don't remember who won the Top Pop Album at the 2011 Billboard Awards (Bieber), or the fact that Beyoncé walked away with a gong that was basically made up on the spot—the "Millennium Award." What sticks in the collective memory is Bey in a one-piece crocheted out of silver electrical wire, vigorously hair flicking in time with 1000 projected images of herself without breaking a sweat. People remember that, plus Michelle Obama contributing a video sound bite to the “Bey's Beyond Awesome and Here's Why” video reel.
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We also remember the unexpected: in recent years, Kanye versus Taylor Swift, but better still, Pulp's Jarvis Cocker storming Michael Jackson's performance at the Brit Awards in 1996 (the UK's answer to the Grammy's). There was MJ surrounded by children, arms outstretched like the Brazilian statue of Christ the Redeemer, and there was the Pulp frontman, baring his butt to the audience in protest.
Awards shows are really an opportunity for musicians to exercise their sartorial crazy. Or, if you're Gaga, it's just another day of the week to dress like a walking abattoir/ disco lobster/ solar system/ attention seeker. Apparently milliner Philip Treacy was inspired by a bird's nest when he made this face cage (above). In fact Gaga's head looks like Kirstie Alley's in utero egg during the opening credits of Look Who's Talking. Take a look at 10 of the most eye-scorching outfits the music world has ever known.
Britney and Justin were the reigning pop culture power couple from 1999-2002: single people lusted after them and married people reevaluated their commitments. I was in elementary school and even I knew they had what I didn't (and still don't have, ahem). Even today I dream of arriving on a red carpet with my boyfriend in coordinating head-to-toe denim ensembles, just like what Brustin (or was it Jitney?) did at the AMAs in 2001.In 2010, Fever Ray's Karin Dreijer Andersson draped herself in red fabric for Sweden's P3 Guld ceremony. When she got on stage to receive her award, she lifted her veil, exposing what can best be described as pig mask made out of melted Silly Putty. She then groaned into the microphone and walked off stage. Bold move Karin, bold move.
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At the beginning of the 2000s, social media was barely a twinkle Jack Dorsey’s eye, but Macy Gray knew what was up, showing some real marketing initiative with this metallic and lace number at the VMAs in 2001. To really drive home her point, she emblazoned “BUY IT” on her butt, and people did. Frontmen, this is how you sell a record.
There was something in the water in Hollywood in 2008. The MTV VMAs saw Fall Out Boy arrive by horse and carriage, Paramore in a Smart Car, and Young Jeezy with a full-on presidential motorcade. But T-Pain put all other modes of transport in the shade, both figuratively and literally, when he showed up dressed like a ringleader, riding on an elephant.
Jennifer Lopez wore this imagination–defying Versace gown to the Grammys in 2000. I know a deep V was a trendy neckline, but this dress plunges 2000 leagues deeper than is socially decent. I think Donatella Versace tried to compensate for the highly revealing front by making the gown floor-length and full-sleeved, yet I still feel uncomfortable looking at it. Amazingly, this garment has its own Wikipedia page, and South Park supremo Trey Parker wore his own version of it to the Oscars. This gown's pop culture footprint is assured.
N*SYNC arrived at the Grammys in 2001 in a mess of colors, prints, and textures. Silver brocade? Moss green velvet? A three-piece suit in oatmeal-colored tweed and a turtleneck? I know styles change over time, but I can’t imagine that this jumble of ensembles was ever okay. It was like a Project Runway menswear team challenge with unconventional materials and the head designer was color blind. The only cohesion found between them is that they all looked equally horrendous. Auf wiedersehen.
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If you're even a remote friend of mine, you know that I kinda have a thing for the Biebs. I can't help myself—he's got a sweet voice and even sweeter bod. And now that Selena is out of the picture, I can continue my conquest in becoming the real Mrs. Justin Bieber. But I gotta be real, his penchant for drop crotch pants is out of control and even this leopard print number was way too much for me. He looks like he’s trying to join LMFAO, and as a Noisey staff member aptly put it, "Biebs had a serious intestinal accident in those pants. GROSS." Alas, Justin is a man of extremes: it’s either this, or he’s walking around shirtless.
Gwen Stefani has gone through so many different bizarre fashion phases, but few of them beat this one in terms of sheer how-the-hell-did-this-happen? In fact a lot of thought has gone into this outfit. Layering a skirt over pants and hair dyed to match a bra made from the skin of Sam the Eagle? The bejeweled forehead is possibly an attempt to tie this whole look together. But the standout accessory has to be her wedge platform thongs which elevate her feet so everyone can get a better glimpse at toes, which I can only assume are decorated with Henna (or she's got a bad case of toe warts). Just an FYI, skirts over pants are back in this season. Looks like Gwen's having the last laugh.
Was it laundry day in the Fatman Scoop household? It looks like Fatman was enjoying some Sunday downtime in his underwear when his cell beeped a reminder that he was supposed to be attending the MTV VMAs in 2008. Nothing I love more than socks and sandals on the red carpet. Real classy.
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King of freaks Marilyn Manson’s signature red carpet accessory is some pale beauty hanging off his arm (Dita Von Teese, Evan Rachel Wood et al). For the 1998 MTV VMAs, Manson donned a multi-colored leopard print suit with a matching fur collar. Oh, and Rose McGowan was… well… yeah.Shriya Samavai is waiting for her Justin Timberlake/Bieber. Ask her out on a date @shriekeliene.Style Stage is an ongoing partnership between Noisey & Garnier Fructis celebrating music, hair, and style.
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Awards shows are really an opportunity for musicians to exercise their sartorial crazy. Or, if you're Gaga, it's just another day of the week to dress like a walking abattoir/ disco lobster/ solar system/ attention seeker. Apparently milliner Philip Treacy was inspired by a bird's nest when he made this face cage (above). In fact Gaga's head looks like Kirstie Alley's in utero egg during the opening credits of Look Who's Talking. Take a look at 10 of the most eye-scorching outfits the music world has ever known.
Britney and Justin were the reigning pop culture power couple from 1999-2002: single people lusted after them and married people reevaluated their commitments. I was in elementary school and even I knew they had what I didn't (and still don't have, ahem). Even today I dream of arriving on a red carpet with my boyfriend in coordinating head-to-toe denim ensembles, just like what Brustin (or was it Jitney?) did at the AMAs in 2001.In 2010, Fever Ray's Karin Dreijer Andersson draped herself in red fabric for Sweden's P3 Guld ceremony. When she got on stage to receive her award, she lifted her veil, exposing what can best be described as pig mask made out of melted Silly Putty. She then groaned into the microphone and walked off stage. Bold move Karin, bold move.
Gwen Stefani has gone through so many different bizarre fashion phases, but few of them beat this one in terms of sheer how-the-hell-did-this-happen? In fact a lot of thought has gone into this outfit. Layering a skirt over pants and hair dyed to match a bra made from the skin of Sam the Eagle? The bejeweled forehead is possibly an attempt to tie this whole look together. But the standout accessory has to be her wedge platform thongs which elevate her feet so everyone can get a better glimpse at toes, which I can only assume are decorated with Henna (or she's got a bad case of toe warts). Just an FYI, skirts over pants are back in this season. Looks like Gwen's having the last laugh.
Was it laundry day in the Fatman Scoop household? It looks like Fatman was enjoying some Sunday downtime in his underwear when his cell beeped a reminder that he was supposed to be attending the MTV VMAs in 2008. Nothing I love more than socks and sandals on the red carpet. Real classy.
King of freaks Marilyn Manson’s signature red carpet accessory is some pale beauty hanging off his arm (Dita Von Teese, Evan Rachel Wood et al). For the 1998 MTV VMAs, Manson donned a multi-colored leopard print suit with a matching fur collar. Oh, and Rose McGowan was… well… yeah.Shriya Samavai is waiting for her Justin Timberlake/Bieber. Ask her out on a date @shriekeliene.Style Stage is an ongoing partnership between Noisey & Garnier Fructis celebrating music, hair, and style.
