Since Madonna and Britney spears shared that fateful kiss on air during
the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards a lot has changed. Britney Spears is
heavily pregnant, Madonna is bedridden with a broken collarbone and the
red carpet has turned white.
This year’s Video Music Awards bash in Miami was a week
long star studded celebrity affair leading up to the awards
ceremony, recognizing remarkable musical talents for their accomplishments. Masterminded
by music mogul and designer Sean P. Diddy Combs, renowned
for his ultimate-parties, the festivities brought together the biggest
names in the entertainment industry. Walking the white carpet (P. Diddy’s
trademark color as in the infamous White Party) in dazzling style,
beautiful celebrities competed in the Diddy Fashion Challenge.
Like all other Diddy parties, the 2005 VMAs incorporated
the host’s signature
soiree style. While there was no strict dress code, and P.
Diddy did not expect the celebrities in attendance to show up impeccably
dressed, he still awarded $50,000 each to the best-dressed male and
female guest, to go to their favorite charity.
"It's not even a thing that I want you to come in gowns and things.
That's for the Oscars," said the man of the moment. "I'm talking
about be artistic in your fashion style and celebrate. We're celebrating
each other that night, it's a celebration. And that's what I'm hosting,
I'm not hosting an awards show, I'm hosting a celebration, and a moment
in musical history."
As usual the rivalry for the most fabulous outfit
was fierce. The modish contenders for the highly coveted honor went
all out to beat the completion. In the women’s category, Beyoncé Knowles,
sporting a shimmering Dolce & Gabbana gown, was simply gorgeous. On
a similar note golden-girl Gwen Stefani was positively
eye-catching in a leopard-print dress, accentuating her feminine silhouette.
Speaking of getting in touch with the animal spirit within, teen idol Lindsay
Lohan, infamous for her newly svelte figure, opted for a similar
look, which given her age did not work quite as well. Actress Hilary
Duff, on the other hand, was a lovely celebration of youthful glamour.
Dressed in a beautiful Blumarine dress adorned with
silver pailettes, she looked charming and graceful. Also, pretty in a
chiffon top and jean skirt was jazz sensation Joss Stone, who
recently replaced Sara Jessica Parker as the GAP spokeswoman.
Among those who played into the ultimate appeal of understated
elegance were Kristen Dunst (arriving with her co-star
heart-throb Orlando
Bloom), Alicia Keys, Shakira, and Jessica Alba. Alicia
Keys, who has a long history of opting for awkwardly
ostentatious ensembles, turned around her fashion misfortune by wearing
a simple Armani dress. The clean lines of Alicia’s
outfit allowed the multiple platinum singer’s true beauty to take
center stage. Similarly, the Sin City temptress Jessica Alba
cast aside her on-screen sexy persona and showed up in an all-black Gucci
ensemble. Completing her look with this season’s must
have accessory, the oversized belt, Ms. Alba heralded autumn’s
fashion mantra, “Black is the new black.” Finally,
Shakira, the pint sized girl with the incredible voice, who
is enjoying a recent come back with her hit single, La Tortura, wore
a simple jade tunic, alluding to her Middle Eastern heritage. Her nude
face revealing adorable freckles was yet another sign that fashion
is moving towards more natural, minimalist, and bare territories.
Then there were the faces we are accustomed to see
plastered on the cover of gossip magazines. The Simpson sisters,
clad in curiously odd costumey attires were the center of attention.
Likewise, desperate housewife Eva Longoria, dressed
in a little silver number with a plunging neckline was hounded
by the press.
Last but not the least, media darling Paris
Hilton (sans her fiancée Paris) made her grand appearance
in an electric Estaban Cortazar creation. This time around,
Paris (whose stylistic sensibilities have been at best ‘controversial’) looked
surprisingly chic. The designer of Paris’ dress showed his highly
publicized debut collection at the tender age of 19 in LA a few years
back. Two thumbs up for Paris for supporting West Coast fashion.
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