2008 MTV VMAs - Fashion flashback | Gallery

By Bryanne Salazar 5:42am PDT, Aug 13, 2018

The MTV Video Music Awards return for the 35th year on Aug. 20, 2018. To celebrate, Wonderwall.com is taking a look back to see what celebrities were wearing at the VMAs 10 years ago… starting with a young Demi Lovato. The actress-turned-singer looked all grown up in her banded ombre Herve Leger off-the-shoulder dress. Demi, who was just 16 at the time, was days away from dropping her debut album, "Don't Forget." Keep reading to see more celebrity fashion from the 2008 VMAs…

RELATED: Demi Lovato's life in pictures

At the 2008 VMAs, Rihanna didn't just wear one designer — she wore three. The singer behind hits like "Umbrella" and "Pon de Replay" mixed and matched her fashion with a black satin bustier by Patricia Field, a black-and-gold asymmetrical miniskirt by Peter Pilotto and super-high white heels by Cesare Paciotti.

Following the release of his hit single "Lollipop," rapper Lil Wayne made an appearance at the 2008 VMAs, where he was nominated for best male video. The tattooed artist arrived wearing a white Martin Luther King Jr. T-shirt, sagging white jeans (revealing his black boxer briefs) and a fresh pair of black kicks. Wayne added a lil drama to his casual attire by sporting a black fedora and shades.

When Pink arrived on the red carpet at the 2008 MTV VMAs, everyone's jaws dropped. Her black-and-red striped Alexis Lamontagna dress was one of the most stunning looks of the evening. The strapless gown featured a heart-shaped bustline, a voluminous skirt and a perfectly cinched waist, giving the singer a gorgeous silhouette that was offset by her playfully spiked hairstyle.

A little more than a month before Taylor Swift released her No. 1 sophomore album, "Fearless," she arrived on the 2008 MTV VMAs red carpet looking pretty in pink in this dress from KaufmanFranco. The strapless bodice and accordion-pleated skirt added a touch of whimsy to the look. We like that she upped the fashion ante with an edgy metallic bracelet and glittery chrome heels from Giuseppe Zanotti.

Miley Cyrus might have only been 16 years old at the 2008 MTV VMAs but her belted Zac Posen mini featuring sequins and fringe details proved she was light years ahead in style.

Just months after the release of her debut album, "One of the Boys," Katy Perry arrived at the 2008 MTV VMAs (her first!) wearing an ultra-sexy vintage-style romper. With feather-accented gold boy-shorts and an embellished bust-accentuating halter top, Katy looked every bit the rising pop star. We especially love how she accessorized the look with a silvery hair clip, a flag clutch and shiny fuchsia round-toe heels.

Jamaica-born rapper Heavy D from '80s hip-hop group Heavy D & the Boyz also made an appearance at the 2008 MTV VMAs. Wearing black jeans, a denim zip-up jacket, aviator shades and a Bob Marley tee, Heavy kept his look funky and fresh. The rapper, who made hits like "The Overweight Lover's in the House" and "Mr. Big Stuff" sadly passed away just three years later at age 44 after suffering a pulmonary embolism.

Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash turned up at the 2008 MTV VMAs with then-wife Perla Ferrar looking every bit the rock star. Wearing his trademark all-black attire, including a black top hat and shades (and even holding a lit cigarette), Slash appeared ready to hit the stage, not sit in an audience. Perla kept it much more simple in a tie-dyed maxidress with a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit and added a touch of toughness with her stud-embellished black leather heels.

Two months before the premiere of "Twilight," rising star Taylor Lautner made an appearance at the 2008 MTV VMAs. The spiky-haired 16-year-old actor played it cool in his white button-up, pinstriped vest and fitted black jeans. To add a little bit of edge, Taylor accessorized the look with a leather wrist cuff.

Fellow "Twilight" stars Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart also made an appearance at the 2008 MTV VMAs. While Rob at least made an attempt to dress up in a blazer and black trousers, Kristen kept her look casual (and kind of boring) in a patterned T-shirt minidress. The biggest point of interest about the two co-stars that night wasn't their fashion, however, but speculation over their romantic status.

No offense to Kristen Stewart, but this is how you wear a T-shirt dress to the MTV VMAs. Model Bar Refaeli hit the 2008 show's red carpet in this deceptively simple gray tankdress paired with some stunning silver jewelry and a black cropped moto jacket. The Israeli beauty was newly single after splitting from Leonardo DiCaprio.

Two weeks after the release of her sophomore album, "Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams," Beyonce's little sister, Solange Knowles, arrived on the MTV VMAs red carpet in this ruffled pink shift dress. Although fashion critics panned her look at the time, 10 years later, we see how fashion-forward this look actually was. Solange wasn't afraid to push the limits with her style, pairing the dress, which mimicked a flower bud, with creeping vine sandals and some serious arm bling.

Christina Aguilera shimmied and shined her way down the red carpet at the 2008 MTV VMAs. The singer, donning new bangs, showed off her curves in a strapless black-and-silver beaded Roberto Cavalli mermaid gown featuring sheer paneling.

R&B star Chris Brown worked a business look at the 2008 MTV VMAs. His loose charcoal denim and bright-white kicks were paired with a crisp dress shirt, a single-breasted blazer and a skinny blue tie. He even rocked a chest pocket chain. That night, Chris was up for six awards and ended up winning best male video for "With You."

More than a year after Britney Spears suffered a public breakdown, she was back looking better than ever at the 2008 MTV VMAs. As one of the winningest winners of the night, Brit took home three awards for her video "Piece of Me" while looking ah-mazing in this silvery asymmetrical Atelier Versace dress. The intricate beadwork throughout the dress was juxtaposed with the jagged hemline, making her look one of the most unusual and beautiful of the night.

Whoa! Look at how young Nick Jonas looked at the 2008 MTV VMAs! (To be fair, Joe Jonas and Kevin Jonas looked like babies too!) The siblings hit the show to support their band, the Jonas Brothers, dressed to impress in customized suits.

"American Idol" winner Jordin Sparks definitely sparkled at the 2008 MTV VMAs in this sequined black Betsey Johnson dress. The strapless, ruffled frock was playfully pulled together with a bright pink bow, giving extra emphasis to her amazing curves. The singer was nominated for two awards that night for her video for "No Air."

Sure, basketball star Kobe Bryant looked nice at the 2008 MTV VMAs in his V-neck sweater, patterned blazer and black jeans, but his wife, Vanessa, definitely outshined him in her sexy black halter dress. Pairing the relatively simple mini with a loose belt, fringed leather booties, a metal studded clutch and stacks of gold bangles, Vanessa could teach Kobe a thing or two about red carpet style.

While there's nothing wrong with Lindsay Lohan's 2008 MTV VMAs dress, we definitely didn't love the look. The actress hit the red carpet in a wrinkled plum satin long-sleeved mini paired with strappy plum sandals. We think Lindsay also wasn't feeling her dress because not long after exiting the red carpet, she reportedly changed into pants and a cute top for the award ceremony.

Lindsay Lohan's longtime frenemy Paris Hilton and then-boyfriend Benji Madden attended the 2008 MTV VMAs looking good. Benji's black-and-white suit was perfectly accessorized with his favorite black fedora while Paris brought a punch of color with her shimmery sleeveless A-line cocktail dress that featured an extra-poofy skirt.

"The Hills" star Heidi Montag looked fierce in black at the 2008 MTV VMAs. Wearing a shimmery long-sleeved, off-the-shoulder mini and studded black peep-toe booties, Heidi looked less like a reality star and more like a rock 'n' roll diva.

Heidi Montag's "The Hills" co-star Audrina Patridge also attended the 2008 MTV VMAs but went for a decidedly sweeter look with this gold sequined and pink chiffon ruffle dress. The reality TV star accessorized her look with strappy metallic heels and a gold clutch, giving her even more sparkle on the red carpet.

To be honest, we hardly recognized "Goodies" and "1, 2 Step" singer Ciara at the 2008 MTV VMAs. The talented vocalist went for a '60s-inspired high-glam look in this silver sequined shift dress and wide glossy belt, making her look very Diana Ross a la The Supremes. We especially love her sexy, slightly messy bob with honey-toned highlights.

Mama-to-be Ashlee Simpson arrived at the 2008 MTV VMAs in a pleated, flowing Alexander McQueen gown featuring a train. Looking every bit the Grecian goddess, Ashlee (who'd just wed Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz a few months earlier) added a little flair to her maternity curves with chunky silver bracelets and several glitzy rings.