Madonna’s influence was everywhere on the blue carpet at the 2026 MTV VMAs, where corsets, lingerie details and theatrical flourishes set the style agenda before the broadcast began.

Arriving stars repeatedly named Madonna, who entered the night with 13 nominations, as the artist they were most eager to see at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles. “She’s the icon,” Normani said. Lucky Daye, dressed in a suit from Campillo’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection, joined two CBS Los Angeles carpet reporters in singing “Like a Virgin” before adding, “I love Madonna! She’s my girl.”

The fashion reinforced the theme. Several stars chose bustiers and corsets that appeared to reference Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” performance at the inaugural MTV VMAs in 1984. Bebe Rexha confirmed that moment inspired her own black lace look.

Taylor Swift provided another major arrival, stepping onto the carpet five minutes before the broadcast began. One photographer called out, “Miss Swift?” before asking, “Wait, should we call you Mrs. Kelce now?” Swift did not respond, but stopped for the waiting cameras.

Swift, Lisa and Teyana Taylor Bring High Drama

Swift, who had nine nominations and was receiving the inaugural Artist Director Honors, wore a Tamara Ralph Couture gown from the Fall 2026 collection. The design featured a dropped, asymmetrical waist, while jewels from Leviev and Greece-based Etho Maria completed the look.

The appearance marked Swift’s first major carpet since she and Travis Kelce married in July. Kelce was 2,740 miles away, where he was playing — and besting — the Miami Dolphins.

Lisa delivered one of the carpet’s boldest color moments in crimson. The Blackpink member paired a faux-fur coat by New York-based Quine Li with a corset-boned gown by Gilda Ambrosio and Giorgia Tordini, the designers and creative directors of Milan-based The Attico. She added Rainbow K’s Tribal earring, made with 18-karat white gold and diamonds.

The carpet outfit was brief by design: Lisa changed after entering the theater and soon appeared onstage in an ensemble by Russian designer Daniil Antsiferov. She accepted best pop video, earning her fourth Moon Person trophy as a solo artist.

Teyana Taylor, nominated with Lucky Daye for best collaboration for “Hard Part,” arrived early because she was also the first presenter. She wore a sheer black coat from Zuhair Murad’s Fall 2026 haute-couture collection, finished with feathers along the collar, cuffs and hem.

Tailoring, Sheer Details and Statement Embellishment

Troye Sivan combined masculine and feminine elements in an Erdem tuxedo that had debuted the previous week in London during the Spring/Summer 2027 collections. The forward-looking design included an ostrich-feather pannier and a satin-and-tulle train. Spinelli Kilcollin jewels finished the ensemble.

Chloe Bailey embraced a familiar VMAs formula — the sheer beaded gown — in a House of Idan design blending crystals with mirrored embellishment. She accessorized with diamond pieces from Chopard and Miraki.

Normani’s bronze Robert Wun gown, from the London-based designer’s Fall 2025 haute-couture collection, initially appeared relatively covered. A turn on the carpet revealed a low open back with delicate lacing. The look also featured sheer sleeves extending into gloves and a dramatic floral brooch at one shoulder. Shoes by Daccori completed the outfit.

Silver supplied another recurring note amid the evening’s black and crimson looks. Paris Hilton chose a futuristic minidress by The Blonds, featuring a draped neckline and side cutouts. The dress came from the designers’ Fall 2025 collection, while her boots referenced their 20th-anniversary show in New York that month, where Hilton had appeared as a model.

Faux Fur Defies the Los Angeles Heat

Faux fur remained a carpet favorite despite the 86-degree Los Angeles temperature and complaints about the heat from arriving guests. Sombr committed to the look in a custom version of an ERL Fall/Winter 2026 design.

Created by ERL founder Eli Russell Linnetz, the outfit combined a faux-fur skunk coat with flared leather trousers made from deadstock fabric. Sombr also wore a handmade silver-and-pearl skate chain by artist Tom Binns. The crystal-and-stone “SEX” belt buckle was assembled by Linnetz using pieces he had collected over the years, the label said.

Adam Lambert made his own dramatic statement in a black silk-taffeta cape and feathered headpiece custom-designed by Paris-based Charles de Vilmorin. The outfit honored André Leon Talley, the fashion figure, Vogue editor and contributor who died in 2022. The headpiece took inspiration from a design by milliner Philip Treacy.

Lambert said on the carpet that both his VMAs appearance and the July release of his self-titled album, ADAM, were grounded in honoring the queer creatives who have inspired him.

Rexha completed the night’s clearest Madonna tribute in a black lace corset and train from Dreaming Elie’s Fall/Winter 2026 collection. A diamond cross necklace underscored the reference, while Jimmy Choo Scarlett lace boots and Loree Rodkin diamond jewelry rounded out the outfit.

From Swift’s couture entrance to Lisa’s rapid wardrobe change, the 2026 VMAs carpet delivered its customary mix of glamour, provocation and whimsy. But across the night’s most discussed looks, Madonna’s visual legacy provided the strongest connecting thread.