It’s not easy getting dolled up for the Red Carpet. Sure, you could make a few calls to round up your “army” of make-up artists, hair stylists and yoga masters to whip you into shape – but that’s not enough. It takes more than just proving that you’re not anorexic. It’s knowing enough about about yourself and what’s in this season to avoid the fiery darts of the critics and fashion police wannabes out there.

Unfortunately, some celebs seemed to have not been paying attention in Fashion 101 at the MTV Asia Awards. UrbanWire rates how they fared on the Red Carpet.

First to grace the Red Carpet were VJs Utt, Denise and JuJu.

VJ Utt’s cute black bow tie nearly got lost on his black shirt. He flaunted a ‘currypuff’-like hairdo, which was a rather smart move, considering that he needed the extra height to not be dwarfed by his fellow taller VJs. We prefer his chic button-down vest to the bland white and black outfit that he chose for the press conference the day before the awards. It was overall a harlequin-like look that made Utt look perfecteven when he was screaming. (See the shocked fan at the background.) His high-cut black sneakers, however, glared at us beneath his tailor-cut pants. Despite his efforts to elongate his body, the sneakers actually make his legs look shorter. Back to square one! Overall, it was not a very heightening experience.

VJ Denise dared to stand out with her multi-tiered purple chiffon dress. Flowy and fresh, it reflected Denise’s cheerful nature and glowing skin. The printed material though, is a tricky one to wear because the prints might not have achieved the same young look if it had been worn by someone else. However, kudos to Denise who pulled it off charmingly, with a matching scarf tied around her neck. The thinness of the dress hugged her silhouette, hiding her lines thus making her seem even thinner than she is. We love this more than the Versace one-shoulder short black dress she wore for the press conference. Check out her large hoop earrings – simplicity at its best.

VJ JuJu’s canary yellow dress had such perfect form that it seemed as if she was gliding down the Red Carpet. Yellow satin strips marked out the bustier while the organza fell-free waist-down. Her choice of long curls and bangs complemented the straight gown. Everything was picture perfect till we noticed the heaviness of the 3 thick bangles on her wrist. Like the saying goes, ‘two is company but three is a crowd’, we grimaced at the sight of her overcrowded wrist. She seemed to like showing it off though, as she turned to give UrbanWire a clear view of her profile. As if unsatisfied, she gave her dress a few more twirls that set photographers frantically clicking away behind their cameras.

Hurrying down the Red Carpet, VJ Taya joined the trio to make a picture perfect ‘Fantastic 4’. The term ‘little black dress’ took on a whole new meaning with Taya’s sequined black tube dress. The sequins remind us of Jean Paul Gaultier. Like Utt, she opted for a pouffy hairdo and a chic black look. Unlike Utt, she pulled off the height illusion by cleverly choosing long dangling earrings, a short dress and heels. Smart move, girl. Despite simple black court shoes and a nothing-fancy hairdo, Taya still looked glamorous on the Red Carpet.

We’d like to draw your attention to VJ Mike, if his clothes haven’t already done so. Name me the first thing that shouts out to you. His bright blue tie right? Exactly. The outfit is outlandish (and eye-catching, no doubt) – from its sheen to the mis-matched printed shirt. Let’s give him a makeover. If he likes the tie so much, let him keep it. We’d exchange the shirt for Ralph Lauren’s midnight blue long-sleeved shirt from the Fall collection and swap the blah-brown hat for a cool suede number. Now that’s a far classier look for the Red Carpet.

After such a huge fashion disaster, luckily the sugary sweet Pussycat Dolls came and rescued us. All fashionably dressed, they looked like candy in a store as fans screamed and stretched out their hands in the hope of shaking one of the girls’ hands. The theme for them was obviously black and white. They donned dresses that they shed for leather pants later in the evening for their performance. Nicole’s dress (centre) was the most stunning out the group, with an Egyptian-inspired neckpiece. We’re not convinced of Melody’s nude tube dress (far left) though. It was unflattering to her curves. Valentino’s white ’09 collection would have suited her better. We love the new redhead-do and we sure hope that she stays a redhead. Her choice of dress is not the most flattering as it makes her hips look wider but we do love the cutesy black bow at her waist. White, after all, is a hard colour to wear anyway. We forgive you.

The Red Carpet goes monochrome when K-Pop group, Super Junior, appears. These guys really know how to dress. 11 of them were all clad in varying black and white combos. Upon closer inspection, we realise that the group wore similar tailor-cut pants and shoes! Still, hats-off to Super Junior in representing 11 great designs on the Red Carpet.

This one (above left) caught our attention – a simple black vest worn with an open-buttoned shirt. Nice. The vest could be swapped with a more intricately-designed one like Burberry’s for a touch of class.

Celebs streamed in, often spending more time with the fans than the media. However, UrbanWire got up close and personal with Joey, drummer from The Click Five. He was very friendly and warm but we wished that his outfit reflected that too! He chose a safe number – shirt, tie, cool belt, jeans and a jacket. Calvin Klein’s minimalist chic designs would better suit his quiet yet charming personality. The rest of the boys from Click Five dressed up for the occasion. Lead singer, Kyle, lit the Red Carpet with his stunning white suit.

Soon after the knight in shining white armour came the snow princess – Karen Mok in a white embroidered dress. Co-host Jared Leto’s musky, dark suit complemented Karen’s innocent white look perfectly. Karen’s dress speaks volumes of herself: simple with intricate detailing. Beautiful result, anyway. Jared’s mis-matched sports shoes remind us that he’s not the typical suit guy. At least he knows what’s in this season and got a Ralph Lauren striped jacket. Good on you, Jared.

While the two are busy chatting with fans and the media, the gorgeous Leona Lewis walks in. This woman is a head-turner. She skimmed down the Red Carpet dressed in a languorous black dress with white prints. The sheer finishing didn’t cover much but it did help prevent the dress from becoming just another tube-dress. Leona spells elegance with this silk number.

Show Lo came sparkling with his silver accessories and bejewelled lapels. What intrigues us though, is his red belt. What an eyesore. A simple black leather belt would have made a perfect Show.

Danny, lead from Irish band The Script, simply came in a leather jacket, v-neck shirt and pants. Doesn’t his attire remind you of Ronan Keating, Robbie Williams and Westlife? Even Hillary Duff agrees that “it’s so yesterday, so yesterday…”

Electrico and Stefanie Sun shared the stage and the Red Carpet. Stefanie steals the limelight despite Amanda’s shiny dress. We love Amanda’s new haircut, it gives her an edgier look. Stef’s tightly draped and criss-crossed dress out of Burberry’s A/W 08/09 Collection is an awkward dirty green but she pulls it off with her charming smile and cute shoulder-length cut.

One Republic slowly inched their way to where UrbanWire was as they were stopped by countless fans screaming for autographs. When we saw them up close, we couldn’t help but gawk at what they were wearing. A black cardigan? A v-neck grey shirt and jeans? Perhaps they’ve heard too many rumours that it’s rather hot in Malaysia. In case you’re wondering, yes, they did wear the exact same clothes for their winning performance.

edc Style Award winners, Panic at the Disco played down their costumes and opted for more comfortable shirts, jackets and jeans on the Red Carpet. The only hint of their outrageous and fun-loving personalities was the distinct feather in his cap.

Tor exemplified the natty Red Carpet look perfectly. We love his thin silver tie. Perhaps VJ Mike should learn from Tor and go for thinner ties that better complement the Asian male physique.

Indonesian band, Chicosci, took old school too literally. Donned in chequered and striped shirts complete with jeans and colourful sport shoes, it was a blast from the past. Boys, these are way outdated. Spruce up and try again next year.

Images by Valerie Oliveiro.