Its design evoked the atmosphere of a Brazilian carnival while also incorporating elements inspired by the Indian subcontinent.
Carnival queen: Ciara poses on the red carpet in a sheer, feathered dress at the MTV VMAs in New York City
Show-stopping style: All eyes were on Ciara's daring outfit
Fortunately, the gown's elaborate embellishments helped preserve the singer's modesty.
Although it appeared to be sleeveless, the dress actually featured long sleeves that extended to her wrists, with the jeweled detailing covering her fingers.
At the hem, the gown gave way to a trail of feathers that swept elegantly along the ground.
Daring look: Ciara was one of several stars who showed plenty of skin on the red carpet
Jewelled detail: The dress's intricate design extended down Ciara's arms
Ciara wisely kept her hair and makeup simple and understated, allowing the dramatic dress to remain the focus.
She first burst onto the music scene in 2004, aged just 19, with her hit single Goodies. After recently releasing a new album, the singer appears to be enjoying something of a comeback.
Stunning from every angle: The R&B star kept her makeup subtle and let the dress take center stage
