VMAs 2025 After-Party Fashion: Tate McRae and BLACKPINK’s Rosé Lead a Daring Night in New York

The VMAs 2025 didn’t end at UBS Arena. Once the cameras cut, New York took over. A swarm of black SUVs rolled from Elmont into Manhattan, and the after-parties turned into a late-night runway where sheer fabrics, corsets, and disco shine owned the hour.

The hottest door belonged to Sabrina Carpenter. Her Studio 54-inspired bash—simply called “Sabrina54”—took over the Crane Club in Chelsea and set the dress code: lingerie-as-outerwear, but make it glam. Sequins flashed in the lights, mirror-like finishes bounced across the room, and silhouettes got bolder as the night went on. Guests arrived ready to play into the theme, swapping red carpet polish for after-hours edge.

Inside “Sabrina54”: Lingerie-as-Outerwear Rules the Night

Tate McRae leaned into that energy. She ditched her custom Ludovic de Saint Sernin gown for a black mesh catsuit that put shape and texture front and center. The halter top kept the line clean, the mid-rise underwear gave structure, and the pointed-toe heels sharpened the look. Black sunglasses added a cool, don’t-ask-me-anything finish. It was confident, fast, and very New York.

BLACKPINK’s Rosé kept her winning streak going—on stage and off. After securing Song of the Year for “APT.” with Bruno Mars, she walked into the Crane Club in a white fringe dress detailed with silver safety pins. The pins broke up the swing of the fringe and gave the whole thing a sly punk note. White pumps, a small black clutch, and neat silver jewelry kept it crisp. Earlier, on stage, she dedicated the trophy to her “16-year-old self, who dreamed,” and to fans who watched her grow. The dress felt like a nod to that story: delicate, but wired with intent.

Ice Spice didn’t overthink it. Bloomers and a matching corset did the talking outside the venue, landing perfectly inside the night’s underwear-as-outerwear lane. It read like a direct answer to Carpenter’s theme—playful, controlled, and unafraid of the obvious.

Reality star Olandria Carthen pivoted from her cherry red Cheney Chan red carpet look to a semi-sheer crystal mini. Black stockings and high-shine earrings gave it a late-’70s edge. She kept the glam consistent—glossy lips, long lashes—and pulled her brunette hair into a slicked-back updo that photographed clean from every angle.

Then there was Mariah Carey. Hours after she received the Video Vanguard Award, she switched into rocker mode: a black leather mini, a motorcycle jacket, and lacy floral boots. It was classic Mariah—feminine with a kick, and totally stage-ready even off the clock.

Cardi B mixed high and low in one frame. Leaving Chez Margaux in a gauzy animal-print dress, she carried Raising Cane’s in hand. The vibe was very post-show New York: glamour with a side of real life.

The fashion cues were clear. Sheer fabrics aren’t a whisper trend anymore; they’ve crossed fully into party wear. Corsetry has moved from costume to wardrobe staple, and the Studio 54 spirit—flirty, unfiltered, high-shine—keeps getting recycled for a generation raised on selfies instead of velvet ropes. The difference this year? The styling was lighter. Minimal jewelry, small bags, and lean heels let the fabrics and cuts do the work.

Tate McRae: black mesh catsuit, halter top, mid-rise underwear, pointed pumps, sunglasses.
Rosé: white fringe dress, silver safety pins, white pumps, silver jewelry, small black clutch.
Ice Spice: bloomers and corset, a straight-to-theme lingerie take.
Olandria Carthen: crystal-dusted mini, sheer finish, black stockings, slicked-back hair.
Mariah Carey: leather mini, biker jacket, lacy floral boots—Vanguard with a rock pivot.
Cardi B: gauzy animal print and a fast-food flex leaving Chez Margaux.

The Crane Club space helped sell the mood. Low, warm lights flattered the sheers. Reflective surfaces turned every entrance into a photo moment. You could feel the disco throughlines—sparkle, rhythm, a little chaos—but the crowd looked modern. The styling was tight, hair was sleek, and most looks had one focal point, not three.

Beyond the Crane Club: Rooftops, Private Rooms, and a Big Night for Women in Pop

Carpenter’s party wasn’t the only stop. By midnight, the circuit stretched across private clubs and hotel rooftops. You could track the movement by the outfits alone—leather jackets thrown over mesh, metallic minis with quick-change sneakers, and then back to stilettos for the cameras. The city became one rolling dress change between cars, elevators, and velvet ropes.

The fashion story matched the show itself. The VMAs lineup leaned heavy into performance and polish—Sabrina Carpenter hit her marks, Tate McRae kept her momentum, Doja Cat stayed in command, and Katseye delivered with precision. Mariah Carey’s medley reminded everyone why she got the Vanguard honor, racking up sing-along moments that spilled into the night.

On the winners front, Lady Gaga left with the most trophies of the evening, the kind of haul that turns a packed night into a statement. Ariana Grande claimed Video of the Year for her short film “Brighter Days Ahead,” a win that underscored how concept and craft still cut through a crowded field. That split—Gaga with multiple wins, Ariana with the top prize—set an upbeat tone on a night powered by women at every turn.

Back at the parties, the details mattered. Pumps and slingbacks edged out platforms. Clutches stayed small. Jewelry mostly hugged the skin. Makeup leaned glossy and luminous—camera-friendly and forgiving under late-night lights. Hair went two ways: slick and sculpted, or loose and polished. It all photographed fast, which is the point. After-parties are content machines now. A hallway, a curb, a staircase—each becomes a set piece for the next post.

Trends didn’t land by accident. Lingerie dressing has been building for a while, and Sunday night showed how stars wear it with confidence without tipping into costume. Think sheer panels with smart coverage, corsets balanced by tailoring, and lace used for texture instead of shock value. That’s why McRae’s catsuit read as strong, not risky, and why Rosé’s fringe felt sharp instead of sweet.

Their choices also tracked with the year’s broader style shift: cleaner lines, fewer accessories, and one hero element per look. The result was a lot of air between the clothes and the person wearing them. You saw bodies, sure, but you also saw intention—what to reveal, what to frame, what to leave to the flash.

There were lighter moments too. Cardi B’s Raising Cane’s moment reminded everyone that the best accessory is a sense of humor. Quick food stops and sidewalk candids kept the night from slipping into perfection fatigue. It read like a sign that even at the most choreographed parties, spontaneity still wins.

By the time the rooftops started to thin, the narrative was set. The VMAs fed the city a loud, efficient show. The parties doubled down on clarity: disco glimmer, lingerie lines, and a run of looks that felt made for movement. For a night that can easily drown in excess, the styling felt tightly edited, almost studio-ready.

And the images will travel. Rosé’s white fringe with silver pins is a mood board in one frame. McRae’s mesh catsuit will be referenced for months by stylists and fans looking for a simple, strong template. Ice Spice’s corset-and-bloomers take shows exactly where the underwear trend sits right now—confident, literal, and still surprisingly fresh.

That’s the power of a good after-party: it distills the show into something you can wear. Sunday night did that in real time, across clubs, hotel elevators, and midnight sidewalks. The performances lit the fuse. The clothes carried it past last call.