Aside from Katy Perry’s wardrobe (more on that later), this year’s MTV Video Music Awards was pretty tame. Taylor Swift was a no-show, but the premiere of her video for “Look What You Made Me Do” left a lasting impression with the new Taylor dissing and dismissing incarnations of her former self. From Paris Jackson denouncing Nazis to Heather Heyer’s mother making an appearance to Pink’s moving acceptance speech centering around telling her daughter that there are all kinds of beautiful girls in the world, the night was jam-packed with emotional and uplifting moments. Serving as host, Katy provided moments of levity, especially when she pretended to have just returned from a prolonged stay in outer space (spacesuit and all) and referred to that iconic costume from The Handmaid’s Tale as Balenciaga for 2017.
When it came to fashion, no surprise that showing skin via sheer sections was trending. Bling was also in as a lot of stars dazzled in embellishments and metallics. Feathers, ruffles and pleats also proved popular. In case you missed the show, here are the most memorable looks of the night.
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2017 MTV VMAs
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Katy Perry
The host kicked the night off in a sleek sculpture dress in white jersey from Stéphane Rolland’s Fall 2017 Haute Couture collection. Oversized hoop earrings polished things off.
Image: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
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Katy Perry
She made her way to the stage from the air, descending in a spacesuit as a shout-out to the awards' infamous Moon Person statue.
Image: Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images
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Katy Perry
This sparkly stunner included a shrug and glitzy footwear to match.
Image: John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV
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Katy Perry
She cradled her "baby" decked out in a bedazzled electric blue gown with a furry collar capped off by Nicholas Kirkwood Lola Pearl Sock Pump Boots.
Image: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
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Katy Perry
A long blond wig topped off her embellished multicolored strapless dress.
Image: John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV
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Katy Perry
The feathers of the colorful parrot on this strapless gown hung down like fringe off one side.
Image: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images
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Katy Perry
Is it just us or does this combo of a striped embellished turtleneck dress and those dramatic danglers have Dynasty written all over it?
Image: Christopher Polk/MTV1617/Getty Images for MTV
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Katy Perry
Her rendition of Daenerys Targaryen from Game of Thrones.
Image: John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV
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Katy Perry
Performing "Swish Swish" in a basketball-inspired ensemble complete with bike shorts.
Image: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
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Nicki Minaj
It was a pink latex getup for Nicki Minaj at the awards. Tons of bling, tricolor locks along with pink and orange lace-up heels punctuated the piece.
Image: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
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Millie Bobby Brown
The Stranger Things star was giving us serious Natalie Portman vibes decked out in this dotted ruffled Rodarte confection. Stuart Weitzman mirror black leather Climbing boots completed the outfit.
Image: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
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Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus rocked a studded turquoise ensemble with a sparkling bandeau. Embellished hoops and a pompadour rounded out the outfit.
Image: Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images
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Lorde
Lorde had a princess moment (despite having the flu) in a lilac Monique Lhuillier strapless dress with a full feathered skirt.
Image: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images
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Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato decided on a black sheer lace Zuhair Murad top tucked into sparkly harem-like pants. Matching Casadei pumps capped things off.
Image: TOMMASO BODDI/AFP/Getty Images
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Gal Gadot
Gal Gadot opted for a black and blue paillette-covered Prabal Gurung dress with semi-sheer skirt. Strappy sandals completed the look.
Image: Matt Winkelmeyer/MTV1617/Getty Images for MTV
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Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld stepped out in a pleated dove gray Atelier Versace minidress complete with keyhole accent. Complementary ankle-strap sandals finished off the outfit.
Image: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
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Kesha
Kesha’s nude ruffled Monsoori ballgown was topped off by black ribbon detailing on both shoulders.
Image: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
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Pink
Pink suited up in a striped three-piece ensemble to pick up her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.
Image: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
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Jared Leto
Leave it to Jared Leto to flaunt the most eclectic ensemble of the night. The Oscar winner/musician/Gucci devotee stunned in a glittering multicolored cape layered over a patterned dress shirt and gray jeans with Gucci sneaks adding extra kick.
Image: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
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Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres presented Pink with her award outfitted in a patterned bomber, black tee, jeans and box-fresh sneaks that we’re betting are all from the ED by Ellen line.
Image: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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Joan Smalls
Joan Smalls sported a sleek black blazer amplified by a twisted top knot and statement earrings. Red sandals with straps that slithered around her feet and ankles wrapped up the outfit.
Image: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
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Alessandra Ambrosio
Alessandra Ambrosio went the matchy-matchy route by slipping on a set of patterned lace-up peep-toe boots that perfectly coordinated with her bold Balmain shirtdress.
Image: Christopher Polk/Getty Images
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Hailey Baldwin
The model took the plunge in a silver embellished Zuhair Murad see-through jumpsuit. Silver sandals finished things off.
Image: John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV
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Olivia Munn
Olivia Munn’s colorfully patterned Nicolas Jebran minidress featured a front-and-center netted section. Silver sandals balanced out the look.
Image: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
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Yara Shahidi
Yara Shahidi made an impression in this golden Zimmermann wrap dress boasting a black waistband. Fun dangling Porcelain Chyna earrings and double ankle-strap sandals by Giuseppe Zanotti further defined the look.
Image: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
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Fifth Harmony
For once, the group didn’t coordinate their ensembles. Dinah Jane went with a textured white long-sleeve dress, Ally Brooke picked an embellished strapless dress layered over matching cropped pants, Normani Kordei’s feathered black semi-sheer gown was topped off by a top knot and Lauren Jauregui selected a fiery gown with cut-out details.
Image: John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV
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Mel B and Heidi Klum
The two America's Got Talent judges stood out courtesy of eye-catching dresses. Mel B’s sparkly gold dress was emblazoned with a colorful message, while Heidi Klum left little to the imagination in a lacy nude semi-sheer Dundas creation with a rather revealing neckline.
Image: John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV
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Paris Jackson
Sporting a pretty graphic Christian Dior sheer embroidered dress over the brand’s now iconic underwear, Paris Jackson added in a choker and ankle-strap sandals to wrap up the look.
Image: John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV
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Noah Cyrus
Noah Cyrus simply combined a pair of black over-the-knee boots with a white hoodie worn as a dress. She accessorized with retro colored circular sunnies and a glitzy choker.
Image: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
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Amber Rose
Switching up her signature blond buzz cut for a long brown wig, Amber Rose was almost unrecognizable last night. Her embellished black Yousef Aljasmi long-sleeve dress included strategic sheer paneling.
Image: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
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Vanessa Hudgens
Vanessa Hudgens’ red Yanina Couture Fall 2016 dress was all about the ruffles (and sheer sections). Coordinating Sophia Webster ankle-strap sandals rounded out the look.
Image: Christopher Polk/Getty Images
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Jeremy Scott and Jasmine Sanders
Though not wearing his new UGG collab, Jeremy Scott still stood out in luxe gold cowboy boots that matched(?) his wild pants, flashy moto jacket and classic Nirvana tee. Jasmine Sanders also shined in a Moschino layered crop top, the complementary skirt and golden sandals.
Image: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
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Julia Michaels
Julia Michaels opted for a blue ombre Christian Dior glittering gown for the awards.
Image: Phillip Faraone/Getty Images
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Bebe Rexha
Bebe Rexha also got glitzy in a silvery sleeveless dress with a white sheer bodice panel.
Image: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
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Christina Milian
Christina Milian’s subtly striped slip dress featured a wrapped skirt with a serious side slit perfect for displaying those metallic ankle-strap sandals.
Image: John Shearer/Getty Images for MTV
