Conan Gray Was the Whimsical Style Star of the VMAs

The red carpet at the MTV VMAs were surprisingly pared-back this evening, with stars like Jack Harlow, Blackpink, and Lizzo all favoring moody, darkly colored looks. But the step and repeat had one style star who favored a more whimsical aesthetic: Singer Conan Gray. Both on the carpet and the main stage, he favored romantic, dreamy silhouettes.

On the carpet, Gray emerged wearing a white Harris Reed blazer that had sheer paneling on the bottom half, complete with dainty lace trim. Paired with sleek black trousers and staggering platform shoes, it was a fresh and youthful take on suiting up. For his performances of his songs “Disaster” and “Memories” on the main stage, Gray changed into a Valentino Haute Couture ruffled cape made of chiffon and organza, which he wore with orange cotton-velvet trousers for a monochromatic finish (both pieces are from the Italian label’s fall 2022 couture collection). 

For the singer, these two free-spirited ensembles were worn with one intention: To create an indelible moment. “Pierpaolo’s Valentino silk is always a genuine honor to wear,” Gray tells Vogue. “With a playful stage like the VMAs’, and an album as dramatic as Superache, we wanted something vibrant and a bit eccentric. Something to stay in your memories, if you will.” Mission accomplished.