Taylor Swift arrived at the VMAs in a slinky, high-slit black Versace dress with gold button embellishments.
CNN  — 

Hollywood’s red carpets have been eerily quiet amid the ongoing actors’ and writers’ strikes, but the music industry was out in full force at this year’s Video Music Awards (VMAs).

Since it was first broadcast almost four decades ago, MTV’s annual awards have become known for fun and eye-catching looks. And there were plenty of risqué outfits on show at New Jersey’s Prudential Center this year — from Doja Cat’s webbed Ap0cene gown to Bebe Rexha’s black leather dress with rear cut-outs, which evoked Prince’s butt-baring yellow lace suit from the 1991 VMAs.

Elsewhere, there were daring sheer looks on display from the likes of Megan Thee Stallion in a Brandon Blackwood dress, while Artist of the Year nominee Karol G opted for a sparkling beige number by French label Ashi Studio. Anitta also impressed in a sheer, off-the-shoulder gown with key-hole shaped opening on the front from Schiaparelli’s latest Fall-Winter Haute Couture collection.

With the red carpet turned pink for the night, some attendees went for complementary shades, including rapper NLE Choppa’s purple suede two-piece and preshow host Saweetie’s pink Flintstones look from New York label, Area.

Others opted for something a little grungier though, with Jared Leto completing his-all black outfit with vampish eyeshadow and Demi Lovato wearing a dramatic rock star leather look from up-and-coming Chinese brand Buerlangma.

See below for some of the evening’s best red carpet looks.

Cardi B had fun in a custom look from Turkish-British designer Dilara Findikoglu's eponymous brand. Created from hundreds of metal hair clips, the striking look is a floor-length version of mini-dress seen on the label's Fall-Winter 2023 runway.
You could almost hear Selena Gomez's fiery Oscar de la Renta dress crackle.
Nicki Minaj went for bridal Barbiecore in a pink gown by Dolce & Gabbana.
TikTok stars Dixie and Charli D'Amelio were a contrasting and complementary pair, with Dixie (left) in a white strapless Maticevski mermaid dress and Charli (right) in a black dress with playful white trim.
Shakira, recipient of this year's Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, arrived in a gold backless cut-out dress by Versace and a pair of Jimy Choo shoes.
Tiffany Haddish was one of numerous stars opting for sheer looks. She wore an embellished Jason Wu dress, with a black bodysuit underneath, as well as Giuseppe Zanotti shoes and earrings and rings by Reza.
Jared Leto looked vampish in an all-black look and smoky eyeshadow. The actor and singer, whose band Thirty Seconds to Mars was nominated in the Best Alternative category, capped off the look with blocky, futuristic metal bangles and collar.
Doechii, whose track "What It Is (Block Boy)" was nominated in the Song of Summer category, mixed mediums with her red-carpet look. She paired a risqué webbed sparkly dress with wooly arm warmers and red Dsquared2 trucker hat.
South Korean boy band Tomorrow x Together, attending their first VMAs, looked dapper in a variety of black, white and tan looks.
Taylor Swift paired her Versace dress with gold and diamond jewelry from Ariel Saidian, Anita Ko, İTÄ and Maria Tash.
Anitta arrived in a sculptural off-the-shoulder dress, with a key-hole shaped opening at the front, from Schiaparelli's latest Fall-Winter Haute Couture collection. Her hand-painted rhinestone-encrusted dangle earrings brought a pop a color to the look.
Doja Cat wore a daring Ap0cene gown paired with see-through pointed pumps, diamond chandelier earrings and glittery wraparound silver bracelets. Her makeup continued the theme with spidery black eyelashes and a bold white eyeshadow and thin arched brows.
Country star Kelsea Ballerini kept things sleek and simple red halter neck cut-out dress from eveningwear label Mônot.
Bebe Rexha wore a black leather dress with cone bustier and risqué rear cut-outs — and a tail.
Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Stephen Sanchez was all wrapped up in a black suit with an oversized baby-blue bow, a black Gucci bamboo handle Diana tote bag and black leather boots.
Måneskin mastered ensemble dressing in a selection of complementary outfits by Rick Owens.
Chloe Bailey arrived in a corseted denim velveteen patchwork dress, from Roberto Cavalli's Fall-Winter 2023 Ready-To-Wear collection, with a high slit that went from structured top to flowy train.
Tinashe also went for a sparkly sheer look.
Billy Porter sported a long, blond-streaked ponytail as a side fringe to cap off his striking all-white look.
Olivia Rodrigo brought the sparkle in a low-cut bejeweled Ludovic de Saint Sernin silver gown made of 150,000 Swarovski crystals. She completed the look with "GUTS" rings, as seen on the cover of her latest album, and platform sandals by Roger Vivier.
NLE Choppa went for cowboy chic with a purple fringed suede two-piece and a heavy bejeweled "Cotton Wood" chain necklace.
Rapper Kaliii offered a pop of color in a bright orange cut-out gown.
Saweetie, host of the awards' preshow, arrived early in a look straight from New York label Area's Fall/Winter 2023 couture runway. The rapper and singer said the pink dress, with its bone-shaped neck and waistline fastenings, was a "caveman" look that nods to "fashion when it first started."
Karol G embraced the see-through trend in a sparkling sheer beige dress by French label Ashi Studio.
Actor and model Colton Haynes wore an all-white Dior outfit.
Megan Thee Stallion wore a sheer black custom Brandon Blackwood dress with Jacob & Co. jewelry.
Model Emily Ratajkowski wore a semi-sheer mesh vintage Jean Paul Gaultier maxi skirt with Melissa Kaye jewelry.
Offset adorned his hair with silver clips to match the dress worn by his wife Cardi B. The rapper also paired his dark suit with a black and silver buckled belt, sparkly skinny tie and silver jewelry.
Demi Lovato looked edgy in an oversized geometric black coat layered with a mesh and leather mini dress from the up-and-coming Chinese label Buerlangma.
South Korean boy band Stray Kids, nominated in the Best K-Pop category, were smartly coordinated in black and white ensembles.