Though it’s tempting to imagine celebrity style comes together off the cuff, most appearances require hours of discussion and planning. When Ashley Grahamarrived at the VMAs, it was instant red carpet perfection; the striking gown, the wet-look hair, and the bling all combined to create a look that was effortlessly sexy. For Graham and her stylist Jeff K. Kim, it all began with a simple idea—how to showcase the best of Graham’s personal style while staying true to the night’s daring spirit. “With Ashley, I wanted to obviously make sure that she stood out within the crowd of these outlandish looks, but kept true to who she is,” says Kim. “A touch of sexy, femininity, and of course, a lot of luxury.” For her part, Graham wanted to provide viewers with the kind of inspiration she never saw growing up. “I don’t think there was one iconic look that fully inspired me, because for so long, I rarely saw women my size on red carpets having high-fashion moments,” says Graham. “I wanted to remind curvy women that there shouldn’t be any fashion rules placed upon us.”

The choice of a beaded Naeem Khan dress reflected all the right qualities. Transparent silver and covered with intricate beads, the one-of-a-kind piece was a knockout—and the sole look Kim selected for the evening. “Ashley trusted me to come up with something amazing for this red carpet—and of course, I made sure I delivered!” Putting an emphasis on Graham’s physique without delving into risqué territory, the gown’s hand beading added an extra touch of extravagance. “The artisanal craftsmanship behind the beading of the dress [added to the beauty], also the dress being sheer really added a sensual, dramatic factor.” According to Graham, all the luxe touches put her in the right mood. “I felt empowered, confident, and totally sexy,” says Graham. “I knew I wanted to show off my body and my curves, so the Naeem Khan dress was perfect.” With her makeup artist, Vincent Oquendo, providing smoky eyes and thick lashes and Renato Campora on hand to change Graham’s bob into tousled waves, the transformation was almost complete. “My haircut elevated the look and made it even chicer, and the makeup was the perfect finishing touch.”

Naturally, Graham’s ensemble didn’t go unnoticed; she even got a shout-out from a fellow bombshell. “Kim Kardashian called me the most beautiful lady in the world!” shared Graham, who posted an Instagram with the star in their accidentally coordinated looks. The positive reaction came as no surprise to her stylist, who said “Ashley is so stunning on her own—so the truth is, is that she could wear anything and give the look the wow factor.”