The Good, The Bad, and the Moonman
A fashion recap of Taylor's attendance at the MTV VMAs
By design, the MTV Video Music Awards are an award show that caters to a younger audience. Its conception in the ‘80s was to be the video alternative to the Grammys, bringing prestige to the music video genre and capitalizing on a younger audience that was moving towards consuming musical content through a new, exciting visual format.
As a result, the fashion at the VMAs is typically more wacky, bold, and unexpected. It’s created an arena where musical artists can play and wear strange things with relative ease. It’s what Halloween is to Mean Girls: An opportunity to be outlandish, without drawing ire. Hence why Taylor has felt comfortable appearing in more daring fashion like her alphabet-strewn Mary Katrantzou romper from 2014’s ceremony or the sequin houndstooth jogger set by Ashish from the year following in 2015. I’ll put it on record again (and again) that I may quirk a brow at certain looks (longtime followers know I’m by no means a fan of 2014’s appearance), but I will always have an appreciation for the risk, for the fervor, for the fun of it all. Fashion is nothing if not meant to be expressive! And commentary on said fashion, by extension, is an opportunity for us to bond over our similarities (a love of clothes) and our differences (the specific clothes we love - or don’t!).
This year, the VMAs are slated for Sunday, September 6. They will be hosted at the UBS Arena in New York City. On Friday, E! News confirmed that Taylor would not be attending the ceremony. Based on her lone nomination (Artist of the Year) due to being in-between projects, the reasoning is likely that an award show needed to take a back seat this year. To compare, she headlined last year’s ceremony with a more staggering 12 nominations - nine of which were for Tortured Poets’ lead single “Fortnight.” It’s likely Showgirl will net the same result at the 2026 ceremony.
Taylor has a strong appearance record at this award show, having previously attended 11 times since 2008. She’s also previously taken the night’s excitement and popularity to her advantage and used it as a launchpad for her personal projects, like 2022’s Midnights on-stage announcement.
While we now know this won’t be the first official Showgirl red carpet appearance, let’s take a look back at the times Taylor has previously attended the MTV VMAs and her historic record at this iconic show.
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2008 in Kaufmanfranco
Nominations: Best New Artist
What happened: This was Taylor’s first year at the MTV VMAs - demonstrated by her singular nomination for Best New Artist. As the only artist representing the country music genre, this was an early indicator of her crossover potential to wider audiences. Taylor was about to release her sophomore effort, Fearless. In just a week, its lead single “Love Story” would hit radio and its music video would debut on the country-dedicated broadcast channel CMT. In addition to co-hosting the red carpet pre-show, Taylor also played at emcee duties when she introduced the Jonas Brothers performance for their song “Lovebug.” This was a time when careful deflection of who she was dating could be executed with a deft, “He’s an amazing guy and anyone would be lucky to be dating him.” Although, this coy side-stepping was made a hair too obvious when the other side would parrot the exact same rejoinder word-for-word.
My liner notes: Taylor’s red carpet outfit is so sweet. Her Kaufmanfranco pastel fit/flare dress with a pleated skirt and some mirrored heels feel very signature Taylor. The other metallic accessories in similar hues also keep the eye bouncing from the top of the outfit to the bottom. That’s a key part of styling - keeping the eye interested enough to take in the entire look without losing interest. I believe it’s also around this time that Taylor’s longtime stylist, Joseph Cassell, was brought on board. Hard to believe Taylor had ever been without him prior to then! Those ringlets are also bouncy perfection. All in, this is a great outing that’s cutesy and safe for a trial run at the VMAs red carpet.
2009 in Kaufmanfranco
Nominations: Best Female Video (“You Belong With Me”)*
*Denotes win
What happened: Taylor’s first performance, first win, and first introduction to a multi-year long celebrity feud. The performance? A multi-part ride through New York City’s subway system in a bright red knee-length halter dress. The win and feud? Both when “You Belong With Me” won Best Female Video and Taylor’s acceptance speech was interrupted by a mic grab heard around the world. One that prompted President Obama to describe said grabber as a “jackass.” But the true shining moment that gets lost in the infamous sauce of Kanye West’s stage interjection is when, later in the show, Beyoncé gracefully seceded part of her Video of the Year acceptance speech to let Taylor “have her moment.” The two of them, both individual artists atop their game in a way that’s unique to them, continuing to support one another over a decade later feels intrinsically tied to this moment.
My liner notes: Taylor’s red carpet dress, a second year in a row by Kaufmanfranco, is a shimmering take on an asymmetrical Grecian gown. The nude and the sparkles feel very classic to Taylor - as is its pairing with a red lip. Plus that diamond wrist cuff gives me nostalgia for when bracelet stacking was her accessorising signature in the Fearless era. An underrated feature? The open back!
2010 in Dolce & Gabbana
Nominations: Best Female Video
What happened: The year following Kanyegate, Taylor skipped the red carpet and made her only appearance for the evening through the debut performance of “Innocent” which, at the time, was an unreleased song off Speak Now. For 13 years, this was also the *only* live performance of “Innocent” - until November 2023 when she performed it as a surprise song on the Eras Tour in São Paulo, Brazil. What’s often forgotten about this night is West also performed a rebuttal to the events of the year prior. His was delivered via a new song titled “Runaway” which closed the show. Both the performance and song went on to receive critical acclaim, described by Slate’s Matthew Cole as an “arresting showcase” of West’s lyricism and a “centerpiece” of his then-forthcoming album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy via its same-name short film which featured songs from the album. This is an important contextualization to remember for later!
My liner notes: Taylor’s performance, set in a saloon-like atmosphere, demonstrated her commitment to theatricality. This felt fitting for the Speak Now era — a period I associate with a “theatre kid” love of dramatics. Her choice to go barefoot added to the vulnerability of the moment. Dolce & Gabbana’s original styling included a butterfly brooch pinned to the dress. Its absence here feels like a missed opportunity to nod to the song’s optimistic lyrics that center on evolving, metamorphosing even, into a new and better person.
2012 in J. Mendel
Nominations: None
What happened: Between Speak Now falling short of producing major radio hits and most of 2012 being a “gap-year” for Taylor where she was once again between projects, this time around she wasn’t on the nomination block for any awards. She did, however, close the night with a performance of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” - the lead single off RED. The track marked her first collaboration with Swedish pop architects Max Martin and Shellback — and her first #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. With the trio reuniting on Showgirl, it’s a fitting moment to revisit the partnership that reshaped her career more than a decade ago.
My liner notes: In my original commentary I noted, “I might be one of few but I loved this look from Taylor.” It’s a nice reminder of consistency as I think I’d still easily put this look in my top three from this awards show. Following the furor — and then fallout — from Kanyegate, this felt like Taylor’s way of wiping the slate clean and starting over. A white flag of peace as if to say she was fully past the feud. My only course of correction would have been a more minimalist sandal. Though I sort of like the subtle gladiator energy of her selected Tom Ford sandals. They seem to signal that the “war” might be over, but she’d never forget (or quit fighting for her career to move forward).
2013 in Hervé Léger
Nominations: Video of the Year (“I Knew You Were Trouble”), Best Female Video (“I Knew You Were Trouble”)*
*Denotes win
What happened: It was a comparatively quiet year: no performance, fewer nominations. Her full pop crossover, still just ahead, would soon flood this awards show with recognition. But in 2013, you might recognize this award show best by an allegedly “potty-mouthed” camera cut from Taylor while speaking to Selena Gomez who was seated next to her. The biggest piece of irony that even I myself forgot? Taylor’s only win from the evening was presented to her by Daft Punk. Their album Random Access Memories would, the following year, win out over RED at the 2014 Grammys for Album of the Year.
My liner notes: The Hervé Léger bandage dress, fitted to a maxi length on Taylor, had its peak moment in the zeitgeist in the mid-late ‘00s. By the time 2013 came around, many had mostly moved on from this trendy bodycon style. I felt the decision to extend the typically mini-length clubbing-friendly dress into a gown didn’t do quite enough to refresh the look for a new decade and, in the context of the VMAs, feels almost overdressed. The pinned hair and heavier makeup I felt also didn’t work in Taylor’s favor.
2014 in Mary Katrantzou
Nominations: None
What happened: As a set up year for the forthcoming domination of 1989, Taylor wasn’t nominated for any awards at the 2014 VMA ceremony. She did, however, premiere the live performance of her upcoming album’s lead single “Shake It Off” which would go on to debut atop the Billboard Hot 100.
My liner notes: Here to repeat once again: I will always applaud the effort. As described previously, the VMAs are often a fashion counterpoint to the refined glamor of typical award shows. It’s a place to push the envelope and to try new things. Which is precisely what I see Taylor doing here in this Mary Katrantzou romper and Elie Saab booties. Even forgoing her typical red lip demonstrates the degree of experimentation and just how far outside her comfort zone she’s playing. Alas, I’ve always found the leg length to hit at an awkward spot on Taylor’s frame with both the hair and shoes also at odds with the garment. The one undeniable thing of envy? How great her legs look.
2015 in Ashish
Nominations: Video of the Year (“Bad Blood” ft Kendrick Lamar)*, Best Female Video (“Blank Space”)**, Best Pop Video**, Best Collaboration*, Best Direction, Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Song of Summer
*Denotes win for “Bad Blood”
**Denotes win for “Blank Space”
What happened: By now I’m sure you’re grasping the general cadence that marked this first phase of Taylor’s career. Her first five albums, released like clockwork in the fall of every even year, created a consistency in her schedule. It also, tactically, pushed her awards eligibility to the following year. This lengthened every album’s promotional cycle and gave her ample opportunity to generate press in its support over a longer period of time. This year, in stark contrast to the year prior, she not only led nominations with a total of 10 but she also scooped up the most trophies, four, to boot. Her push into pop dominance was being actively rewarded.
This was a night for mending fences (that is, until reputation’s axe fell). First, if you’ve never seen “Bad Blood” used as a flag of peace, you’ve got another thing coming. To put a short-lived Twitter feud with Nicki Minaj to bed, Taylor briefly appeared during Minaj’s performance, offering effectively non-existent vocals on “The Night Is Still Young” with an even quicker interjection of “Bad Blood” to cap off the bewildering pairing.
To top off the night’s strangeness? Taylor presented West with the highly prestigious Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, given to recipients for “outstanding contributions” and “profound impact” on music videos and popular culture. “Kanye defines what it means to be a creative force,” Taylor said in her presentation. She finished by riffing on West’s own infamous mic grab quote. “I’m really happy and I’mma let you finish … but Kanye West has had one of the greatest careers of all time.” West’s retort? “You know how many times [MTV] announced Taylor was going to give me the award ’cause it got them more ratings?” Years later, in a profile for Rolling Stone in 2019, Taylor would recount the ways that West would “[get] close to you, [earn] your trust, [then detonate] you” including what she felt was his duplicitous behavior in coaxing her to present him with the award in the first place. “All I ever wanted my whole career after that thing happened in 2009 was for him to respect me,” she said, adding, “I’m standing in the audience with my arm around his wife, and this chill ran through my body. I realized he is so two-faced. That he wants to be nice to me behind the scenes, but then he wants to look cool, get up in front of everyone and talk shit.” Taylor would, of course, get the last word two years later with the 2017 release of reputation.
My liner notes: In hindsight, there’s a lot about this outfit that slots in perfectly with the vibes of the VMAs. While it’s far from a personal favorite, I can understand the intention of why this was chosen for this particular event. There’s a part of me that can appreciate how it turns sequins (something Taylor loves) into loungewear. The ultimate meeting point between glam and chill! I’ll even say that the dramatically shaped eye makeup was a fun and edgy change of pace for Taylor. Something new, interesting, and experimental.
2017
Nominations: Best Collaboration (“I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” ft Zayn)*
*Denotes win
What happened: As part of her media blackout strategy for the album reputation, Taylor did not attend this year’s award ceremony. But she did make one hell of a statement nonetheless. In her stead, the music video for “Look What You Made Me Do” premiered at the award show - shocking viewers with the bombastic imagery and meta self-references. It broke Vevo’s 24-hour watch record, previously set by Adele’s “Hello.” I still remember sitting on my couch that night, jaw dropped, for a solid five minutes post-premiere. A worthy honorable mention? Her 50 Shades soundtrack contribution (and a personal favorite song of mine from her entire discography) earned itself a Moon Man.
2019 in Versace
Nominations: Video of the Year (“You Need To Calm Down”)*, Song of the Year, Best Collaboration (“ME!” ft Brendon Urie of Panic! at the Disco), Best Pop, Video for Good*, Best Direction, Best Visual Effects**, Best Editing, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Power Anthem, Song of Summer
*Denotes win for “You Need To Calm Down”
**Denotes win for “ME!”
What happened: Unlike her late-year counterparts, Lover’s spring release created momentum, translating into award show buzz and nominations. This night, Taylor shared the most nominations - an even dozen - with Ariana Grande. They would both, in addition to Billie Eilish, top the most awarded list with three trophies each.
When taking home the night’s biggest trophy for Video of the Year, awarded to Lover’s second single “You Need To Calm Down”, Taylor took the time in her speech to spotlight the video’s call to action which encouraged fans to sign the Equality Act petition. The act outlined federal anti-discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people. Surrounded on stage by many of the video’s LGBTQ+ guest-stars, Taylor thanked those who had signed the petition, which netted half a million signatures, a total that she noted was “five times the amount that it would need to warrant a response from the White House.” This was also the first time that Taylor would receive this award for a video that she herself directed as, during the Lover era, she sought to take more creative control behind-the-scenes of her work.
My liner notes: Sometimes righting the ship is a seven year long journey. Though Taylor wore plenty of Stella McCartney during the Lover era (including co-designed merch), her red carpet looks often leaned on Versace’s exuberant prints, as seen in “The Man” music video, the Teen Choice Awards, and - most memorably - at the VMAs. Between the two red carpet appearances, I preferred the colors and styling for her VMA effort. The contrasting bustier allowed the print element of the blazer to really shine. The thigh high boots were also an unexpected, and sexy, styling moment that tied in to the black elements of her blazer. And those green Lorraine Schwartz earrings - need I say more?
2022 in Oscar de la Renta
Nominations: Video of the Year (“All Too Well: The Short Film”)*, Best Longform Video*, Best Direction*, Best Cinematography, Best Editing
*Denotes win for “All Too Well: The Short Film”
What happened: The night that Midnights came into our lives! This marked the first occasion where Taylor would use an award show as a launchpad for a personal project. In this case, her 10th studio album Midnights. She would then go on to replicate the strategy when announcing The Tortured Poets Department on the Grammys stage in 2024.
In addition to her own personal push, when accepting the award Taylor also noted with pride the unprecedented amount of of female directors in the category - herself included. Taylor previously took this award home as not just performer but also director in 2019.
My liner notes: When Taylor first appeared on the red carpet in this dripping diamond dress by Oscar de la Renta, many thought it was a reference to the diamond bathtub scene in the “Look What You Made Me Do” music video. A connection which justified citing this as proof of an impending reputation (Taylor’s Version) announcement. By contrast, I saw this glittering mini dress and interpreted it as the first step towards a new era. At the time, my commentary noted, “This look is likely a taster of a rich, luxe, almost showgirl glam style. A new, womanly version of the retro and vintage fashion she has favoured for more than a decade - but elevated. And with a fun, vampy sex appeal.” Given the 70s-infused smoky glam from the Midnights album photoshoot and now being less than a month away from an album that adopts the Showgirl moniker, I feel this was a 13/10 prognostication.
2023 in Versace
Nominations: Video of the Year (“Anti-Hero”)*, Song of the Year*, Artist of the Year*, Best Pop*, Show of the Summer*, Album of the Year (Midnights)*, Song of Summer (“Karma” ft Ice Spice), Best Visual Effects*, Best Editing, Best Direction*, Best Cinematography*
*Denotes win
What happened: Taylor was once again both the most nominated and most awarded artist of the night. She kicked off the night strong by winning the very first award, Best Pop, presented by an iconic pop group she herself admired and who reunited on the stage to much applause: *NSYNC. Anyone else charmed by her, “They’re going to do something and I need to know what it is” suspicions at all five of former boybanders assembling on stage? It takes an Easter Egger to know one, I suppose!
Another funny moment of the night had a fashionable twist. Taylor is famed for her excitable nature at award shows. At any random pan of the camera, she is often seen in her natural environment: exuberantly singing or dancing along during performances. In the heat of one such moment, Taylor noticed part of her Van Cleef & Arpels onyx and diamond ring had gone missing. The ring? $12,000. Her emotive face capturing the “whoops” of it all? Priceless. Security eventually came over, flashlights in hand, to look under seats to find the missing piece. Typically, celebrity red carpet jewelry is provided on loan. The jeweller, Joseph Saidian & Sons, never confirmed media requests inquiring if the vintage piece was returned safe and sound. I’m sure Taylor was wishing security would kneel to the ground and pull out a ring and say, “Juliet, is this your missing vintage ring?”
My liner notes: In one of her acceptance speeches, Taylor admitted she loved to “slink between different genres.” The seeming reference to the slithering movements of a snake elicited a fair number of excited screams from the audience - as did her black Versace gown, itself also sexy and slinky. At the time of the show, I felt the aesthetic alignment with the reputation era to be irresistibly fitting. The asymmetric detailing and sensual vibe was signature to Versace and entirely appropriate for the VMAs. I loved the layers of jewels which added drama to the look. Especially because she - thankfully - went slim and minimal in the shoe department as a contrast. Now, at the risk of borrowing Carrie Bradshaw’s vernacular, I can’t help but wonder: Was this an example of a mutually-built frenzy that said just as much about Taylor trying very hard to make reputation (Taylor’s Version) happen as much as we did?
2024 in Dior
Nominations: Video of the Year (“Fortnight” ft Post Malone)*, Song of the Year, Artist of the Year*, Best Collaboration*, Best Pop*, Song of Summer*, VMAs Most Iconic Performance, Best Visual Effects, Best Editing*, Best Direction*, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography
*Denotes win
What happened: Proof of Taylor not only hitting her artistic stride but also increasing her winning odds at this particular award show. This was her second consecutive year where she was once again the night’s most nominated and most awarded artist, taking home seven of her 12 categories. One trophy she lost? The 15 year anniversary of Most Iconic Performance for “You Belong With Me” - a category I’m sure she’s not sore to not have a trophy commemorating.
While we’ve seen Taylor change into more comfortable footwear mid-award show, she took it a step further on this night by changing ensembles completely. Inside sources reported to Taylor Swift Style that the tight corsetry of her Dior outfit necessitated the change into a more comfortable short and swingy look by Monse. The alien tapestry seemed to nod directly to the Tortured Poets track “Down Bad.” For the after-party, Taylor would wear yet another Monse outfit (a top and skirt) with another play on the alien motif.
The most heartwarming connection of all is that last year, Taylor would relay an anecdote from the filming of the “Fortnight” music video, describing her “boyfriend Travis” as a man who turns everything into “happiness, fun, and magic.” This year, of course, he is now her fiancé!
My liner notes: It’s fun to think that at this point in time, Taylor had already written and recorded the vast majority of The Life of a Showgirl. According to Taylor, primary work on the album occurred during the European leg of the Eras Tour in the summer of 2024. In my original commentary, I tried - and stretched! - to connect her choice of plaid to reputation (Taylor’s Version). I also wondered if Taylor’s choice of pattern here, a Harris Tweed, was a tie-in to her onstage call to action to remind viewers to register to vote having herself just the day prior given a full-throated endorsement of presidential nominee Kamala Harris on her social media. With Showgirl giving us the gift of hindsight, it’s possible that the simplest answer was an Egg after all. As it turns out, Showgirl’s release day of October 3 happens to be Plaid Day.
Which year was your favorite of her VMA appearances?
I was watching live for the infamous Kanye one, and remember being so delighted by the way Taylor's performance was a music video all its own, only to be jawdropped by Kanye doing his thing. The moment from the actual interruption that flattened me was Beyoncé's shocked reaction in the audience - it was so heartwarming to see her bring Taylor onstage during her own win. Silly me, I thought that was going to be the end of things!
What's most interesting to me about that moment is that it somehow crystallized Taylor as a teenager in my head, and as I wasn't following music for the next nearly two decades, I also missed all the evolutions in Taylor's life (even though I danced to "Shake It Off" at a friend's wedding and was a huge fan, at least in theory, of her reclaiming her older work by doing her re-records... which I just wasn't familiar with!).
Fast forward to 300 takeout coffees later, my best friend got Eras Tour tickets for the Vancouver show and asked if I wanted to go with her, and I, thinking that it would be great to have a second really trusted adult there for her daughter in case of overwhelm, said yes - and then embarked on a whirlwind catching-up on all the Taylor things I'd missed! By the time the Eras Tour landed in Vancouver I was as enthusiastic a Swiftie as any, beyond delighted with Travis's place in Taylor's life, and watching every single livestream. 😂 So I was watching this MTV awards, too, as the bookend to these eras in Taylor's life, and I giddily shared my excitement about her Travis shoutout with said bestie (and the other friend who joined us for the Eras Tour)!
There are so many iconic looks here - but I'm so fond of the final plaid look. It is absolutely badass, the plaid and leather are amazing, and I am beyond ready for TLOAS! I can't wait. 26 days... 2x13!