The recent MTV VMA awards at LA's Microsoft Theatre in the Staples centre was fraught with outlandish and excessive celeb statements or standoffs. Nicki Minaj giving Miley Cyrus a piece of her mind, Justin Bieber tears and Kanye announcing his presidential aims had trending feeds going through the roof. Nominees dressed in iconic outfits for an epic night but interestingly some of us were drawn to the more discreet, subdued and understated artists who didn't feel the need to create a spectacle at each opportune moment. The cool and calm persona was the exact energy that we were looking for on the night. Gorgeous heart-throb Miguel turned up with his girlfriend Nazanin Mandi and presented along side hottest model on the circuit right now - Gigi Hadid. Sporting his trademark designer stubble, fun ripped jeans, a sleek white cotton shirt flashing a bit of chest and a silky, patterned, olive blaser he summed up the epitome of cool. A cross between a Jimi Hendrix and a Prince type of cool.
Amber Rose and Black Chyna's outfits were an example of Artivism; using fashion to convey a message about slut-shaming and the double standards in the Entertainment industry. Amber's message is based on the fact that women aren't allowed to be sexual beings to the fullest there are boundaries which are set mainly by men in the industry. Women shouldn't be afraid to express their sexuality, why must we hide it and be ashamed of something so natural ? Sex isn't bad. Their outfits were covered in many derogatory adjectives and words used for women.
West London girl Rita Ora sported a long blond ponytail, a low-cut black feathered gown with heavy eye make-up. We loved her criss cross pointy stilletos. This Kosovan female refugee (migrant as some prefer to say) speaks fluent Albanian, she continues to strive to create life success beyond her difficult past. Her family fled the Milosevic regime in the late 90s. Rita is proof of how refugees add value to their new host countries.
The VMA lived up to its name, until next year keep voting for those vids!
Written By Monica Cummings