Fashion Blog: VMAs Go Retro (September 1, 2006)

by Ryan Patterson

“Old Hollywood Glamour” isn’t a phrase you hear tossed around the MTV VMA’s red carpet too often – but Christina Aguilera was the very definition of just that in her sparkly Versace. Beyonce, also in Versace, rocked a very old school glamorous look as well, while Pink went retro with her wavy pin-up girl do.

Jennifer Lopez looked to another decade for inspiration- the sixties- in her vintage Biba mini dress with matching headscarf, accessorized with shiny patent leather boots. Fergie went for a mod sixties style with shift dress and retro hair.

A Stella McCartney clad Petra Nemcova, who glowed on the arm of beau James Blunt, got creative turning her necklace into a chic headband- very seventies disco.
She said her look was all about- “a little 70’s peace, love and happiness..” as she flashed us the peace sign.

The 80’s were also well represented. Diddy- impeccably turned out as usual- told us, “We are bringing that 80’s hip hop fusion back to the scene – this is my ode to David Bowie.”
And then there’s Paris Hilton. Awww Paris. Her white frock, which looked like someone took a pair of scissors to a ballerina tutu, was her homage to Madonna.

“I was inspired by Madonna and wanted to go with this ‘Like A Virgin’ Theme.” Uh huh. OK. Some folks thought her dress looked more like Bjork’s 2001 Swan Oscar get-up than anything the Material Girl ever wore. Here’s what I say- at least we are TALKING about her dress. Most of the fashion at the show was safe and even…dare I say it- boring! Jessica Simpson was sooooo low key in a very plain, (albeit VERY short) black dress. Blah. Pink in a pantsuit?????

Where are the fashion risk takers? Where’s the fun? Where is the knockout Jennifer Lopez in a to-die-for outfit – who would have had us salivating for weeks (and stores working overtime to bring us regular folks an “inspired” version of her dress)? Where was her signature sexy mane that we all covet? Hidden underneath a matronly headscarf.

We count on the VMAs to be the VMAs….wild, unpredictable, let’s give ‘em something to talk about fashion. Where have all the good times gone?