Heaven knows Taylor Momsen is a fashion icon.
After all, the Gossip Girl alum stunned in all-black during a rare appearance at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7 at the UBS Arena in New York.
For the occasion, Taylor arrived in a black bralette, a leather maxi skirt featuring a slit along the side and chunky leather platform boots. She accessorized her ensemble with two overlapping studded belts, a silver bracelet stack and layered silver necklaces.
The 32-year-old finished off her VMAs’ look with black smoky eye makeup, a nude lip color and her blonde locks cascading down her shoulders. (See all the stars arriving here.)
While the Pretty Reckless singer has most recently turned heads with her very defined abs, her grungy, dark outfits have always been a staple in her closet.
“I just love music and fashion, so that’s what I surround myself with,” she told CR Fashion Book in 2022. “If I ever do notice someone that seems influenced by me, it’s humbling for sure, but I still just get dressed.”
Taylor emphasized that it’s a common experience for musicians, since she noted, “Fashion is a big part of the visual expression of their music.”
After all, she added, “There’s the album art, the live show production, and the fashion.”
For the singer, her life in the spotlight helped her personal aesthetic evolve.
“I like fashion,” she told Interview in 2010. “I like dark colors. I like makeup. Being in the public eye forces you to figure out how to put it all together.”
A part of that came from developing her Gossip Girl character Jenny Humphrey’s turbulent storyline.
“The show definitely tries to incorporate elements of reality–the actor’s image, for example–and inject it into the character they play–it makes it more relatable,” she reflected. “So for me, I just began dressing more like myself, and doing my makeup myself, and so Jenny’s style followed suit.”
For more stars at the 2025 MTV VMAs, keep reading.
Lady Gaga
In Marc Jacobs.
Sabrina Carpenter
In custom Valentino.
Ariana Grande
In custom Fendi and Swarovski jewelry.
Jessica Simpson
In Christian Siriano.
Doja Cat
In Balmain.
Ice Spice
In Ralph Lauren.
Paris Hilton
In The Blonds.
FKA twigs
Conan Gray
In Erik Charlotte.
GloRilla
In Helen Anthony.
Lenny Kravitz
In Saint Laurent.
Ciara
In Schiaparelli.
Taylor Momsen
Alix Earle
In Tom Ford.
Tyla
In vintage Chanel.
Ricky Martin
Tate McRae
In custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
Nicky Hilton
Yungblud
Ashlee Simpson
Malin Akerman
Brittany Snow
Summer Walker
With a Simitri bag.
Megan Moroney
Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino & Lauren Sorrentino
Sexxy Red
Nikki Glaser
In Ludovic de Saint Sernin.
KATSEYE
In Dolce & Gabbana.
Ty Dolla $ign
