LOS ANGELES: Music´s brightest stars bared lots of skin at the Grammys in Los Angeles on Sunday, oozing sex appeal and taking fashion risks on the industry´s biggest night.

Beyonce, who opened the show with a sultry performance of "Drunk in Love" with her husband Jay-Z, smoldered in a curve-hugging white mesh Michael Costello gown with strategically placed flowers, leaving little to the imagination.

Taylor Swift, who was nominated for Album of the Year but lost out to Daft Punk, glittered in a metallic belted short-sleeved golden Gucci gown with a daring slit up the back, and her hair in a simple ponytail.

In the va-va-voom category, Pink, who was nominated for the Song of the Year award for "Just Give Me a Reason," exuded glamour in a strapless fire-engine red Johanna Johnson gown.

Pop princess Katy Perry, who had two nominations for her girl power anthem "Roar," floated up the red carpet in a gauzy white Valentino number, with music notes playfully scattered along the skirt.

The Grammys have been the scene of some of fashion´s classic red-carpet moments: Jennifer Lopez´s plunging barely-there green Versace gown in 2000 is still a benchmark.

Alicia Keys, a winner for best R&B album for "Girl on Fire," was a red-carpet triumph in a cobalt blue Armani halter gown with a wide plunging neckline and shiny black detailing at the waist.

Madonna rocked a tailored gender-bending double-breasted Ralph Lauren black suit and tie -- and carried a walking stick. Her son David wore a similar look. He had helped her choose the ensemble, she said.

Cyndi Lauper, a Grammy winner for best musical theater album for her Broadway show "Kinky Boots," sported a black Alexander McQueen cape-style coat and leggings, looking every bit the rock chick.

The male stars at Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles did not disappoint.

Both hip-hop star Macklemore -- a winner for Best New Artist -- and "Blurred Lines" crooner Robin Thicke wore velvet tuxedo jackets -- the former in turquoise, the latter in navy Armani.

Grammys host rapper-turned-actor LL Cool J also went with a velvet jacket, in deep purple.

Macklemore´s bandmate Ryan Lewis strutted his stuff in a black and gray large houndstooth suit, while rapper Kendrick Lamar opted for a tight-fitting slate blue suit, with a black shirt underneath.

French electro duo Daft Punk -- the big winners for album and record of the year -- of course wore the ultimate accessory: their trademark shiny black helmets. For their performance of their mega-hit "Get Lucky," they switched to all-white ensembles and striking white helmets.

SOURCE: AFP