MTV red carpet: Danger, curves ahead

The who's who of the world of music attended the MTV Video Music Awards held in New York on Sunday, August 25.

Pop star Katy Perry's leopard print Ungaro dress embellished with gold dragonflies and slit daringly was easily one of the red carpet's most distinctive looks.

A post-Disney Miley Cyrus was dressed in typically risqué style, wearing a beaded crop top and leggings by Dolce & Gabbana.

Country singer Taylor Swift was at her sexiest in a plunging navy blue Herve Leger dress with her blonde hair curled in a vintage Hollywood style.

Singer Selena Gomez showed Justin Bieber just what he was missing in a dark blue Atelier Versace dress with a thigh-high slit held together with silver clasps and revealing a sheer black bustier beneath.

Lady Gaga cut a surprisingly understated figure in black PVC Prabal Gurung with a long train and a bow at the waist.

Singer Rihanna, seen her with Will Smith, dressed down for the awards and wore a cut-off shirt with dark blue cuffed jeans.

Jennifer Hudson looked elegant in a Christian Dior skirt and top.

British singer Rita Ora turned heads in a plunging Alexandre Vauthier dress that had a jewelled bodice and a feathered train so long her assistant reportedly had to follow her around holding it up.

Modern Family actress Sarah Hyland walked the red carpet in a crimson and gold Marchesa dress.

Ciara stormed the red carpet in a in a sheer, nude Givenchy gown that showed off her curves to perfection. The feathered tail of the dress finished her look.

Singer Ashanti turned heads in a bright turquoise gown.

The Descendants star and VMA presenter Shailene Woodley bared her midriff in in an Emilio Pucci Resort 2014 black cropped top and swirly, purple patterned V skirt.

Supermodel Coco Rocha wore a sleek black Fausto Puglisi leather jacket loaded with bling and black skinny pants.

Man in Black: Actor Will Smith looked dashing in top-to-toe noir.

Will Smith's children Willow and Jaden seemed to be having fun on the red carpet.

One Direction singer Harry Styles looked handsome in black jacket worn over a buttoned-down shirt.

Rapper Drake looked smart in an all-black shirt and pair of trousers.

Justin Timberlake, who won the Video of the Year award, looked extremely handsome in a white and black shirt topped by a black jacket and a hat.

The Dark Knight Rises actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt looked dapper in a grey suit worn with a blue shirt.