The stories behind Rose McGowan's naked dress, Lil Kim's seashell nipple pasty and Lady Gaga's meat dress. 

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Courtney in the image of Marilyn Monroe and Kurt Cobain at the height of his fame, wearing none other than the oval shades he&#39;s made iconic. This also happens to be one of the last photographs of the family together before his death in April, 1994.

Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain with Frances Bean, 1993

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Rose McGowan&#39;s barely there chain dress is probably the most memorable and debated outfits in VMA history. She&#39;s since <a href="https://www.refinery29.com/2018/02/189810/rose-mcgowan-mtv-vma-awards-dress-1998" target="_blank">explained</a> that she chose to wear the dress as a form of silent protest after being sexually assaulted by Harvey Weinstein.&nbsp;

Marilyn Manson and Rose McGowan, 1998

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This is an artifact from the heydays of No Doubt; a saucer skirt over pants, a fur bikini, and that hairstyle&mdash;Stefani really was one of the great punk princesses.&nbsp;

Gwen Stefani, 1998

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Soul singer Macy Gray pulled off one of the greatest red carpet self-promotions of all time. Her 2001 outfit was a shout out to her album&#39;s release date&mdash;and the back said: &quot;Buy it.&quot;&nbsp;

Macy Gray, 2001

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Nicki Minaj has never been one to shy away from a crazy look, and this Harajuku inspired outfit is no exception. Although her outfits show&nbsp;no shortage of creativity, Minaj has frequently been accused of cultural appropriation&mdash;first with this outfit from 2011, then in her SNL performance, and finally with her hit single <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/nicki-minajs-insulting-asian-fetish-in-chun-li" target="_blank">Chun Li</a>.&nbsp;

Nicki Minaj, 2011

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One of the more powerful statements made through clothing came in 2015 when friends Amber Rose and Blac Chyna wore outfits painted with slurs like&nbsp;&ldquo;slut,&rdquo; &ldquo;stripper,&rdquo; &ldquo;gold digger,&rdquo; and&nbsp;&ldquo;bitch.&quot; Both women, who are regularly called out for their pasts and high profile former relationships, claimed they were attempting to <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/08/30/the-story-behind-amber-rose-and-blac-chynas-slut-dresses-at-the-vmas/?noredirect=on&amp;utm_term=.3ab1f63faf8d" target="_blank">embrace the &quot;insults.&quot;</a>

The Most Memorable Looks in MTV Video Music Awards History

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