Ariana Grande returned to the Grand at the 2025 MTV VMAS after a long break from the awards show. And I made sure to bring in the A Game with every look I wore on a star-studded night.
The pop star was styled by Roach in the evening, down a total of four looks, ranging from custom fendi dresses inspired by the 1980s to fluffy ballerina-esque tutu dresses that looked like she was floating in the air.
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Each look that Grande wore at the awards show held at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York on Sunday, September 7th, incorporated either her signature ponytail or ballet bread as a final touch that recalls her iconic style and artistry.
“I always say that whenever I put Ariana behind the screen and see her silhouette. As soon as the backlight goes up, you know it’s her,” Roach said in a 2019 interview with Vogue.
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He added:
Grande kicked off the evening with polka dots on the red carpet and later attacked the VMAS stage three times. Introducing Maria Jackson Video Vanguard Award recipient Maria Carey and embraced her moonperson with coveted videos in the best pop and year category.
Check out each of Grande’s MTV VMA outfits below.
Playfulness with polka dots
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Grande started the night strong in a black custom fendi dress covered in white polka dots. The strapless dress flapped up in peplum with a contrasting pink and black polka dot pattern, chopping the pop star’s waist.
Inspired by a similar Fendi dress worn by designer Silvia Venturini Fendi in the 1980s, the dress had bold slits on the back and slim slits with black satin peeps. Grande decorated the appearance with white polka dots and matching black hair bows.
The sequins make it dazzling
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While announcing Mariah Carey as the Video Vanguard Award winner, Grande had no choice but to “slim off.” The Evil Star woke up to a Tamara Ralph V-neck gown with black sequins and beads, as well as a gown with sheer chiffon sleeves and a semi-shared skirt. Grande has added more sparkle with glittering rings and fat stud earrings.
Bold ball gown
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Grande may have dumped Glinda’s pink palette in the evening, but she still stepped into the ball gown before accepting the Best Pop award for “Among Bright Days Upcoming.” The strapless Steve O’Smith gown featured a thin illusion corset top with a bold black ink-like design on the chest. The black ink motif continued throughout the entire white skirt in the gown.
Ballet preparation
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Grande’s final dress for the evening – she wore this year’s video while accepting this year’s video for a “bright day”, but a bright white tutu inspired dress by Givenchy had several layers of tulle to add a sense of bloating to her skirt. Just like a ball gown, the bodice of the dress was a pure illusion that exposed her middle. She completed the look with her hair, white heels and ballet bread.