Before Miley Cyrus debuted her controversial looks and twerking moves that even got singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor writing her fifth open letter (seriously, guys, give it a rest already), the former Disney star actually had red carpet moments that are worth revisiting.
From one of her first appearances as a giggly little girl to her transformation as a full-fledged artist with a style of her own, there is no doubt that Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana teen sensation has picked up a thing or two about fashion in her highly-publicized journey as an artist.
We’re revisiting Miley Cyrus’ humble beginnings and counting down 22 of her note-worthy red carpet frock looks.
1. Academy of Country Music Awards in 2006
Miley Cyrus was just 13 when she showed up in this beaded ruffle dress
Miley shared the red carpet with dad Billy Ray Cyrus at the 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards which was held at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The then 13-year-old singer sported a fully beaded ruffled dress and silver heels.
Billy Ray Cyrus and daughter Miley Cyrus 41st Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas on May 23, 2006
2. American Music Awards in 2006
Miley had her first bohemian look when she turned up at the American Music Awards 2006 at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles wearing a white dress with feathers and silver embellishments. Mommy Tish made a cameo behind her.
Miley Cyrus during the 2006 American Music Awards held at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, on November 21, 2006
3. People’s Choice Awards in 2007
A more sophisticated look was seen from Miley at the 2007 People’s Choice Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The child actress wore a ruched metallic green tube dress and silver heels.
Miley Cyrus backstage during the 33rd Annual People’s Choice Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 9, 2007, in Los Angeles, California
4. American Music Awards in 2007
Miley had become a young woman and embraced her curves in a red mini dress at the 2007 American Music Awards held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
The singer took to a gold Rebecca Minkoff clutch to polish off her look.
Actress/singer Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2007 American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre on November 18, 2007, in Los Angeles, California
5. Oscars 2008
Miley hit the red carpet of the 80th Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) in Los Angeles wearing a form-fitting, full-length Valentino dress in an iconic red shade.
Singer Miley Cyrus arrives at the 80th Annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre on February 24, 2008, in Hollywood
She accessorized with a bronze Mary Norton lizard clutch.
Miley Cyrus made her Oscars red carpet debut in a crimson red Valentino dress
6. MTV Video Music Awards in 2008
Miley busted out a huge grin as she held hands with Katy Perry for a photo op at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards in
Los Angeles. Miley wore a sequined, ruffled dress in navy blue paired with black cutout heels.
Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus arrive at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards at Paramount Pictures Studios on September 7, 2008, in Los Angeles, California
7. Pre-Grammy Gala in 2009
There was clearly some style experimentation taking place as the Disney star chose a unique printed drop waist dress with a few good layers of ruffles at the back.
Singer Miley Cyrus arrives at Clive Davis’ Annual Pre-Grammy Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009, in Beverly Hills, California
Miley attended the annual pre-Grammy gala in Beverly Hills, which was hosted by Clive Davis and The Recording Academy.
Miley Cyrus’ unique printed drop waist dress
8. Grammy Awards in 2009
Another couture moment was born when Miley slipped into a black full-length Hervé Léger dress for the 51st Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Singer/actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on February 8, 2009, in Los Angeles, California
The dress had beautiful bandage details on the torso, accented by an embellished rose and a soft cutout at the back.
Miley Cyrus looked stunning in a long black cut-out Herve Leger dress
9. Academy Awards in 2009
One of Miley’s most memorable red carpet looks was born at the 81st Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
Actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the 81st Annual Academy Awards held at The Kodak Theatre on February 22, 2009, in Hollywood, California
The singer-actress dressed in an ethereal Zuhair Murad creation, which she accessorized with a gold Mary Norton clutch, BCBG shoes, and Neil Jane jewelry.
Miley Cyrus was mesmerizing in a Zuhair Murad white sequined dress
10. Hannah Montana Premiere in 2009
The Hannah Montana craze continued as the film officially made its UK premiere at the Odeon West End in London.
Miley Cyrus attends the UK premiere of Hannah Montana at Odeon Leicester Square on April 23, 2009, in London, England
Miley wore a stunning mini dress from Hervé Léger by Max Azria (Fall 2009 collection), which she paired with charcoal gray Sergio Rossi pumps.
Miley Cyrus wore a stunning metallic mini dress
11. MTV Movie Awards in 2009
Miley Cyrus channeled a Jennifer Lawrence look even before Jennifer Lawrence became an it-girl.
Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards at the Gibson Amphitheatre on May 31, 2009, in Universal City, California
Miley went through a nude phase in a short halter dress with a draped front at the 2009 MTV Movie Awards held at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, California.
Miley Cyrus’ nude short halter dress with a draped front
12. Grammy Awards in 2010
Miley let her personality shine through in a dress from Hervé Léger by Max Azria (Spring 2010 collection), which she wore to the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Miley Cyrus arrives at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on January 31, 2010, in Los Angeles, California
She polished off her edgy look with a pair of black strappy heels from Balenciaga, Ofira and Loraine Schwartz jewelry, and a Judith Leiber box clutch. This is definitely on our list of favorite Miley Cyrus fashion moments.
Miley Cyrus was joined on the red carpet by her mother, Leticia Jean “Tish” Cyrus
13. Academy Awards in 2010
The Disney star went for a more sophisticated look in a dazzling full-length number by Jenny Packham, which she wore to the 82nd Annual Academy Awards (Oscars) at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.
Actress Miley Cyrus arrives at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on March 7, 2010, in Hollywood, California
Miley donned a pair of diamond-and-platinum earrings from Lorraine Schwartz to finish her look.
Miley Cyrus’ dazzling full-length dress by Jenny Packham
14. The Last Song Premiere in 2010
The young Cyrus was a baby no more. She stepped out with onscreen and real-life sweetheart Liam Hemsworth for the premiere of their film The Last Song, which was held at the ArcLight Hollywood Cinema in Hollywood.
Miley looked absolutely stunning in an all-leather Ferragamo dress.
Actor Liam Hemsworth and actress/singer Miley Cyrus arrive at the “The Last Song” Los Angeles premiere held at ArcLight Hollywood on March 25, 2010, in Hollywood, California
15. MuchMusic Video Awards in 2010
It seemed Miley wasn’t quite done with leather dresses just yet when she slipped into another one at the 2010 MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto, Canada. The actress showed off her shorter new do along with her hot bandage dress.
Singer Miley Cyrus visits the press room at the 21st Annual MuchMusic Video Awards on June 20, 2010, in Toronto, Canada
16. American Music Awards in 2010
Miley channeled a more feminine Lauren Conrad-esque look at the 2010 American Music Awards (AMAs) held at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2010 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 21, 2010, in Los Angeles, California
The young star wore a dreamlike Marchesa mini dress with a lengthy train, turning to the ever-trusty Louboutins to finish off her nymph-like look.
Miley Cyrus’ dreamlike Marchesa mini dress
17. Vanity Fair Oscar Party in 2012
The former Hannah Montana actress turned to Roberto Cavalli for the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party which was held at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood.
Miley Cyrus rocked a gown from Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli
Miley brought along her most beautiful accessory to date – her hunky then-boyfriend Liam Hemsworth (sorry, we just had to).
Actor Liam Hemsworth and actress/singer Miley Cyrus arrive at the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Graydon Carter at Sunset Tower on February 26, 2012, in West Hollywood, California
18. Billboard Music Awards in 2012
A sign of things to come – Miley debuted a nose ring and side boobs at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards, which was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Singer Miley Cyrus arrives at the 2012 Billboard Music Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nevada
The singer wore a double-breasted dress by Jean Paul Gaultier, which she dressed up with Jacquie Aiche jewelry and a gorgeous pair of black-and-white peep-toe Louboutins.
Miley Cyrus made a stunning appearance with a nose ring
19. VH1 Divas in 2012
Miley transitioned to her shorter blonde do at the VH1 Divas 2012 held at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The controversial hair was paired with an Omo by Norma Kamali black turtleneck dress that had diamond cutouts running down the sides.
Singer Miley Cyrus arrives at the “VH1 Divas” 2012 at The Shrine Auditorium on December 16, 2012, in Los Angeles, California
Miley turned to her favorite Lorraine Schwartz for jewelry and opted for classic black pointed-toe pumps by Jean-Michel Cazabat.
Miley Cyrus’ Omo by Norma Kamali black turtleneck dress
20. Oscar Viewing Party in 2013
Miley showed how an edgy short do can be worn with couture when she slipped into a white full-length Emilio Pucci for the 21st Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation’s Oscar Viewing Party.
Singer Miley Cyrus attends the 21st Annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party at West Hollywood Park on February 24, 2013, in West Hollywood, California
The star looked stunning in the backless embellished number, which was a refreshing breather from her leather obsession.
Miley Cyrus sparkled in a white full-length Emilio Pucci dress
21. iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party in 2013
Hannah Montana had completely disappeared in a dominatrix-like mini bondage dress by Versace, which Miley wore to the iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party.
Miley chose suede pointed-toe pumps by Jean-Michel Cazabat to complete her not-so-poolside-party look.
Miley Cyrus attends iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party Presented By VISIT FLORIDA at Fontainebleau Miami Beach on June 29, 2013, in Miami Beach, Florida
22. Paranoia Premiere in 2013
Miley returned to leather in a black, red, and snakeskin patchwork leather dress by Proenza Schouler (Spring 2013 collection) for then-fiancé Liam Hemsworth’s Paranoia film premiere.
Miley Cyrus’ black, red, and snakeskin leather dress
Miley wore her dress with white platform heels from Saint Laurent and a Chanel Boy bag.
Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth attend the premiere of Relativity Media’s “Paranoia” at DGA Theater on August 8, 2013, in Los Angeles, California
Credit: WENN / Nikki Nelson / Mike Stotts