Feathers, sequins, leather, velvet, tartan, lamé, tulle, pastels, capes, you name it — everything was on display on the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, the VMAs, red carpet on Sunday night.
Fresh off the premiere of Amazon Prime’s Cinderella, Camila Cabello dressed the part in a red and pink Alexis Mabille gown. Kacey Musgraves made her best avant-garde Muppet impression in Valentino couture. Even Avril Lavigne had a surprise appearance in a pink plaid look straight from the early 2000s.
While the women undoubtedly dressed to impress, it was the men, however, who sent shockwaves across the 2021 VMAs red carpet. Shawn Mendes was white-hot in a slouchy suit from Mans Concept Menswear. Machine Gun Kelly dazzled in a sequinned outfit by Dolce & Gabbana. Billy Porter looked like the most fashionable astronaut alive in an all-silver look. But the pièce de résistance was Lil Nas X’s gender-bending lilac ensemble, custom-made by Versace.
Each look caused a viral sensation on social media, and we understand why.
Here are our top picks of best-dressed celebs at the event.
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
Photography by Getty Images
1/19
Lil Nas X in Versace
2/19
Kacey Musgraves in Valentino
3/19
Billy Porter
4/19
Megan Fox in Mugler and Machine Gun Kelly in Dolce & Gabbana
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Shawn Mendes in Mans Concept Menswear and David Yurman
6/19
Ed Sheeran in Versace
7/19
Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian
8/19
Camila Cabello in Alexis Mabille
9/19
Troye Sivan in Fendi
10/19
Olivia Rodrigo in Versace
11/19
Finneas in Vivienne Westwood
12/19
Avril Lavigne in Area
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Jack Harlow in Tommy Hilfiger
14/19
Paris Hilton in The Blonds
15/19
Billie Eilish
16/19
Halle Bailey in Mônot
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Bretman Rock in Roberto Cavalli
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Normani in Patrycja Pagas
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Dixie D’Amelio in Aliètte and Charli D’Amelio in Alexander Wang
“Alien Goddess is really about celebrating our differences, and Willow [Smith] embodies that in so many ways,” says Casey Cadwallader, the creative director of Mugler. The 20-year-old musician is the face of this latest iteration of the iconic Alien fragrance. A modern take on the traditional floral fragrance, the scent features bergamot and jasmine wrapped up in warm, woody notes of bourbon vanilla and cashmere. Like the fragrance, Smith also marches to the beat of her own drum. “She’s so in charge of everything to do with her look and her sound, what she is thinking and her philanthropy,” Cadwallader explains. “She’s not afraid to be bold, not afraid of change from one year to the next, from one month to the next, from one hour to the next.” The Gen-Z icon perfectly captures the essence of the French fashion house, which is “living up to your dreams and to really believe that no matter who you are and where you come from, you can do exactly what you’re on the planet to do, what you believe is your destiny.”
Jennifer Aniston debuts her new hair care brand, LolaVie
Who better to share the secret to Jennifer Aniston’s iconic and enviable hair than Jennifer Aniston herself? Earlier this week, the actress unveiled her new hair care brand, LolaVie. The name references her nickname, Lola, and the perfume she launched by the same name in 2010. The vegan, cruelty-free brand’s first product is the Glossing Detangler, made with plant-based ingredients like chia, bamboo, lemon extract and a superfruit complex.
Sephora launches its Beauty We Love by BIPOC-Owned Brands campaign
You can attend a virtual masterclass with celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman
Here’s your chance to level up your fall makeup with celebrity makeup artist Gucci Westman, who has painted the faces of Drew Barrymore, Halle Berry and Cameron Diaz. On September 15, Holt Renfrew will host a virtual masterclass with Westman as she creates a fall beauty look using products from her brand Westman Atelier. Westman Atelier also has two curated kits available for purchase featuring a selection of bestsellers for either a “smouldering” or “sultry” look.
You’ve probably seen celebs like Olivia Wilde, Laura Dern and Lizzo rave about True Botanicals. All these stars became fans of the brand organically. Laura Dern, for example, discovered it through her makeup artist while filming Big Little Lies. “I started off on a mission to make clean beauty absolutely irresistible. That was the way it would be truly possible to disrupt the beauty industry,” says founder Hillary Peterson who wanted to create skincare that was both luxurious and efficacious. The brand is best known for its cult favourite Renew Pure Radiance Oil, while the Chebula Active Immunity Serum has quickly become another bestseller. True Botanicals is available now at The Detox Market Canada.
Bite Beauty launches the My Lips but Better service
Nude lipsticks sound good in theory but are hard to get right, especially where skin tone is concerned. Bite Beauty’s new My Lips but Better service lets you create a natural lip shade that suits your complexion (and avoid the dreaded frosted or flat-looking effect that many nudes impart) with the help of its in-house Lip Lab experts. It’s the perfect way to add a perfect-for-you nude shade to your fall lipstick wardrobe. Find your go-to colour online or at the Toronto Bite Beauty Lip Lab on Queen West.
The eternally cool band Haim has teamed up with Etsy to curate a collection of seventies-inspired home goods. The musician sisters shared in a press release, “We wanted to create a space that captured each of our personal styles in a way that felt harmonious. We hope our Etsy Edit inspires others to get creative and mix-and-match pieces that excite them and reflect their personal style to design an inspiring space of their own.” Fans of eclectic vintage style can rejoice as the sisters’ selects from the retailer include rugs, furniture, handcrafted cushions, retro lighting, and more.
Peloton has re-entered the activewear chat. On September 9, the fitness company launched its clothing line Peloton Apparelfeaturing a mix of men’s, women’s and unisex styles and accessories, ranging in price from $15 to $118. Each piece was wear-tested by members, non-members and their roster of instructors while participating in Peloton workouts to ensure every article of clothing is high-performing and body-inclusive. The collection of leggings, hoodies, shorts, and shirts are all sure to be popular, much like the brand’s cult-status bikes, so act fast.
Miriam Baker houses its first pop-up at Toronto’s Bayview Village
Canadian womenswear designer Miriam Baker‘s first-ever physical store has opened in Bayview Village in Toronto. Previously known exclusively as an online retailer, the designer opened her first IRL shopping experience on September 8, and it will run into the new year. Not only will the pop-up shop feature Miriam Baker pieces in sizes ranging from XXS–XXL and 00–20, it will also house a workspace where visitors can catch a glimpse of the brand’s design and production process.
Canadian brand Elisa C-Rossow releases a new collection made entirely out of apples
Yes, you read that correctly. Canadian brand Elisa C-Rossow’s Maroquinerie Collection is made from waste from apple juice production. Looking for a sustainable alternative to traditional leather, the designer discovered apple leather, a bio-based material produced using the leftover pomace and peel from the fruit juice and compote industry. It goes without saying the accessories are certified fresh, organic and vegan. Additionally, each item is made to order, which not only means zero overproduction, but ensures that every piece is has that limited edition cachet.
If you’re looking a dose of nostalgia, look no further than Dr. Martens’s new collaboration with Marc Jacobs. The nineties-inspired collection brings together the iconic brands, reimagining two Dr. Martens footwear styles with an extra chunky sole and a patent crocodile leather. Available in both a boot and a shoe, this partnership feels extra-special as Marc Jacobs dressed his models in the combat lace-ups for his notorious 1993 runway show. We can smell the teen spirit from here.
Swarovski’s new collection is a celebration of colour
For creative director Giovanna Engelbert’s second collection with Swarovski, she was inspired by the jeweller’s European heritage. In a press release, she notes, “I wanted to dive deeper into a love affair with Austrian arts and crafts, notably the influences of the Wiener Werkstätte and Gustav Klimt while bringing in a modernity to the organic ways shape and form can be represented within their tradition.” The new assortment features maximalist styles for both men and women and offers a playful take on the timeless brand.
Kylie Jenner’s unborn baby is already cooler than me. After surprising fans on September 7 with an announcement that she is expecting her second child with boyfriend Travis Scott, Jenner debuted her baby bump in the chicest way possible: at New York Fashion Week. Being introduced to the world at one of the most coveted fashion events ever sets the precedent that Jenner’s new baby will have some serious style.
The star stepped out in an all-white look, featuring a super-short leather dress and a long, gleaming leather trench coat. Both pieces are from the brand Vintage Marcela, which Jenner has worn before. She completed the outfit with sleek clear Gianvito Rossi heels, chunky futuristic sunglasses and a tiny Balenciaga bag.
While Kylie Jenner is certainly no stranger to big NYFW moments, she may have just upped the ante for herself and all other fashion week attendees with this form-fitting monochromatic maternity look. Her first pregnancy, with daughter Stormi, was kept completely under wraps, so Jenner’s decision to go public with her second pregnancy was unexpected (even though some dedicated fans predicted it). Naturally, the celebrity influencer and makeup mogul made the announcement on Instagram, through a heart-warming video featuring clips of herself and Scott hugging, going to the doctor, and telling momager Kris Jenner the news. The video has already received more than 22 million likes, and is reminiscent of her first baby-reveal video after Stormi was born, titled “To Our Daughter.” (Spoiler alert: prepare to be moved to tears.)
Following the announcement and the NYFW appearance, Kylie Jenner may start to attend more public events — in contrast to her first pregnancy when she mostly stayed in her gated community, a source told E! News. Knowing the beauty mogul, we’re definitely in for some stylish pregnancy content. The question now on our minds is: will she and her fashion-forward baby bump be at the Met Gala on September 13? We’ll just have to wait and see.
TIFF is back, baby! After last year’s program offered a limited number of in-person socially distanced screenings due to the pandemic, the Toronto International Film Festival is making its return with more live events, red carpets and (masked) movie-theatre screenings. Running from September 9 to September 18, there’s plenty going on at the 46th annual festival. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s TIFF.
Hold on — did you say TIFF red carpet?
You betcha! TIFF red carpet glam will be making its return this year, even if appearances aren’t as concentrated or frequent as previous festivals. Since Canada opened its borders for non-essential travel from American citizens and permanent residents in August, there are many U.S. celebs making their way to Toronto, such as Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, Lily-Rose Depp and Dionne Warwick. View the full 2021 TIFF guest list here.
Though things will feel a bit more normal this year, red carpets will be enforcing Covid-19 protocols such as social distancing as well as mask mandates for members of the press *and* stars, reports CTV News. In efforts to stop the spread of the Delta variant, organizers are also asking that fans do not crowd the red carpet area. As a result, there won’t be the typical festival buzz this year, and groups of fans will not be permitted to gather around as celebs grace the red carpet. Our dreams of casually running into and befriending Lily-Rose Depp will simply have to wait.
What’s the 2021 TIFF movie schedule like?
This is the second year of smaller audiences and fewer in-person screenings than pre-Covid festivals. Nonetheless, there are close to 200 films in TIFF’s 2021 official selection. Plenty of highly anticipated flicks will be playing, like Spencer, the Princess Diana biopic starring Kristen Stewart, and Dune, the buzzy sci-fi film starring Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet and FASHION’s October cover star Rebecca Ferguson (which will be making an exclusive IMAX premiere). There are also many exciting Canadian titles, including: Drunken Birds, a drama by Montreal-based director Ivan Grbovic; Ste. Anne, a debut feature by Métis filmmaker and artist Rhayne Vermette; and Wochiigii Io: End Of The Peace, a stirring environmental documentary by Heather Hatch. Starting September 9, each day of TIFF is filled with both theatre and virtual screenings, press conferences, and drive-ins. To view the full list of TIFF films and schedules, visit TIFF’s website.
Photography Courtesy of TIFF
In efforts to foster space for storytelling from under-represented filmmakers, TIFF also has several projects that work to support marginalized creators. One of them is Share Her Journey, an initiative in support of women in film. New this year, as an extension of the initiative, fashion house Chanel partnered with TIFF to create the Chanel Women Writers’ Network, a year-round program to advance the careers of women and non-binary alumni of TIFF Writers’ Studio. This program will provide funding to help writer-directors develop their projects, as well as networking opportunities, access to script consultants and screenwriters, and peer-to-peer sessions with emerging filmmakers.
How can I watch TIFF movie screenings?
There are plenty of ways to participate in this year’s TIFF programming, whether it’s through in-person screenings, drive-ins, or digital streaming. Like last year, TIFF is offering its digital screening platform with options for viewers to rent and stream films online. Canadians can rent screenings starting at $19 to $26 for a four-hour period.
We love the coziness of streaming a film from home, but TIFF is also offering several opportunities for viewers who want the in-person experience. Theatre screenings will be available at a limited capacity at TIFF Bell Lightbox, Roy Thomson Hall, the Princess of Wales Theatre, Scotiabank Theatre and Ontario Place. When attending in-person screenings, guests must wear masks at all times and show proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test within 48 hours of arriving at the venue. To limit contact, TIFF will not be printing tickets or having concession-stand sales this year. Click here to buy in-person tickets and view the titles available for rent.
