MTV VMAs 2014: Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus among the acts who took to the red carpet

Kesha, 50 Seconds Of Summer and Charli XCX among the first to arrive at the event in Los Angeles

Kesha, actress Lucy Hale and British singer Charli XCX were among the first to arrive on the red carpet ahead of the MTV VMAs 2014.

The crowds gathered to witness the stars of music and film make their grand entrance were audibly excited to finally recognise someone when singer Kesha turned up complete with rainbow hair and a sequinned, floor-length gown.

Nicki Minaj went for a literal interpretation of her hit "Anaconda" by turning up in a sequined, python-print mini dress.

Kim Kardashian inexplicably opted for a Matador-esque two-piece. She arrived flanked by her Kardashian sisters.

Gwen Stefani arrived in a bright pink and black Fifties-style trouser suit, the colour combination of which smacked of Bertie Bassett.

Iggy Azalea opted for "space nymph" in an embellished, futuristic silver number, while Taylor Swift went for a skin-tight sequinned leotard.

Miley Cyrus went for a leather boob tube and high waist trouser combination - a far cry from last year's fury bear bikini.

Conceding the title of most viewed VEVO artist to Nicki Minaj on the red carpet, she said: "I can bring that body, I can bring that wrecking ball. I can't bring that ass."

Charli XCX arrived soon afterwards, though not to such rapturous applause, in a particularly loud, lurid yellow tiger striped jump suit.

But it was One Direction-turned-pop-punk act 50 Seconds Of Summer that saw several young fans lose their tiny minds behind the barricades. They turned up looking ridiculous in bandanas, gillets and suit jackets – a classic boyband combination for any awards show.

Amber Rose provided the first sartorial shocker of the evening, in an incredibly revealing string dress. She walked the red carpet with her rapper husband Wiz Khalifa.

Solange Knowles - she of Jay Z lift beating fame - arrived wearing a Diana Ross-esque glittering jump suit.

Rapper Angel Haze walked the red carpet with girlfriend Ireland Baldwin.

Jason Derulo and Jordin Sparks went for matching white outfits.

Fashion designer Jeremy Scott looked particularly special in a cartoonish yellow suit, which he wore without a shirt.

Orange Is The New Black star Laverne Cox went for a glittering, asymmetrical sequinned mini-dress.

Meanwhile, Arianna Grande went for a racy leather Moschino mini dress and thigh high boots. She posed with Jessie J on the red carpet, who was wearing a plunging, Grecian-style pale green gown.

The British invasion started with a turn from Sam Smith, who was closely followed by a typically scruffy Ed Sheeran in a polka dot shirt.

Snoop Dogg, Rita Ora, Maroon 5, Chris Brown and Michelle Williams also walked the red carpet.