LOOK: Tyla's iconic mini-dress steals the show at the 2025 MTV VMAs

Another red carpet. Another Tyla takeover.

When the South African superstar walked onto the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) red carpet in a Chanel minidress that turned into a showstopper, she didn’t just make an entrance; she made a statement.

And while comparisons to Rihanna’s fashion reign are inevitable (no hate to Mother), Tyla has officially carved her own lane.

Her MTV VMAs look featured a reworked beige Chanel Spring/Summer 1993 corset top, worn as the tiniest minidress imaginable, which had everyone talking.

Styled with super-short black shorts to avoid wardrobe mishaps, Tyla elevated the vintage piece with gold medallion necklaces, stacked bracelets, waist chains and ankle jewelry from Pandora.

Black pointed heels sealed the deal. It wasn’t just a fashion moment; it was a masterclass in how to make old-school couture feel unapologetically new. 

Behind the look was stylist Ron Hartleben, who has dressed names like Sabrina Carpenter and Rachel Zegler, according to reports.

Together, they’ve positioned Tyla not just as a red carpet regular, but as a global fashion player who knows how to deliver iconic after iconic. 

At the awards, hosted by LL Cool J, Tyla showed once again why she’s in the spotlight.

She was up for two awards, but it was her bold Chanel outfit that had everyone talking.

The star’s song, “PUSH 2 START”, had two nominations: Best Afrobeats Song and Best Choreography.

And, our girl took home the award for Best Afrobeats. 

We are seeing more and more that Tyla’s style isn’t about playing safe; it’s about risk, reinvention and a whole lot of personality.

At last year’s MTV VMAs, she turned heads in a yellow fringe Area gown, paired with bold accessories and coral pink sandals.

That night, she walked away with the Moon Person for Best New Artist, plus wins in the Best Afrobeats and Best R&B categories.

This year, she returned with even more confidence. And it shows.

She poses differently now, less “I can’t believe this is happening” and more “Yes, I belong here.”

That quiet confidence feels familiar for South Africans watching her rise. It’s the same energy that made the world fall in love with “Water", the viral hit that propelled her onto the global stage.

In a recent interview with Variety, Tyla reflected on her whirlwind journey: “When ‘Water’ happened, I wasn’t ready. I became obsessed with the idea of doing things ‘right'. I wanted more time to make mistakes, to fully figure out who I am as an artist, but then things just went… well, you know.” 

That vulnerability is what makes her rise so relatable. She admitted that fame is surreal, even overwhelming at times. 

“What’s happened to me is not a normal thing. I don’t think any human could go from where I came from and feel normal about millions of people knowing who you are. I respect the African and South African artists that came before me and literally helped me get here.”

For South Africans, this is more than just fashion and music on the world’s biggest entertainment hubs .

Its about representation. It’s watching someone carry the weight of our culture on a global stage with pride.

Tyla has made it clear: this new phase of her career is all about growth.

Speaking to "Elle" recently, she said: “I really feel like I have changed so much since ‘Water’ and my debut album. I have grown into a different version of myself. A little more spicy, a little more bold.”

That boldness doesn’t stop at music. She’s open to exploring acting, beauty, creative directing and of course, fashion.

And if her MTV VMAs look is any indication, she’s already halfway there.

Her next album, she promised, will reflect a more personal side of her artistry: “This time, I’m living what I’m singing, and it feels way more personal. Way more like me.”

For anyone watching her every move, Tyla’s fashion isn’t just about clothes. It’s about narrative.

She reminds us that style can be more than glamour, it can be identity, confidence and transformation.

Tyla’s presence on the red carpet offers something refreshing. 

She doesn’t look like she’s trying to fit into Hollywood’s impossible moulds.

She looks like she’s enjoying herself, embracing who she is in the moment and that’s a form of wellness in itself.

And if there’s anything her style evolution teaches us something simple but powerful: fashion isn’t about size, trend or perfection. It’s about owning your story, your body, your joy.