SuperCaliFashionistic

When you have a specialty that you've been pursuing for nearly 30 years, it's only fitting that the results should show the finesse of your experience. Elie Saab, after close to three decades in the business, has pretty much perfected the art of the red carpet dress. It stands as a testament to his popularity that one star will inevitably show up in one of his creations whenever a big event rolls around; for the Oscars, you can guarantee at least three. There's a reason why Saab ranks among the most-requested couturiers. His designs are delicate, intricate, and beautifully crafted, all while being insanely flattering. A lacy purple number, reminiscent of Marchesa, was exquisite in its fairylike daintiness. A neutral floor-sweeper with embroidered rosettes was effortlessly draped, while a blush pastel gown, its fabric heavy with sequins, was fit for a modern-day goddess. But despite yards of material, the dresses were subtly seductive, more so than their shorter, tighter, sheerer counterparts. Silky sashes cinched tiny waists, while thigh-high slits revealed mile-long legs. A glittering black number with a plunging sweetheart neckline sported a slash so high that even walking became a precarious proposition. For those with more demure tastes, Saab provided plenty of frothy neutrals, plus some unfortunate floral-print dresses with Christina Hendricks-esque shoulder poufs for those with overly saccharine tendencies. (For the general safety of your eyes, I did not show them here). The grandma's-garden phase, luckily, was short-lived, and Saab more than redeemed himself with one of his most refined collections to date.

Giorgio Armani has always catered to the interests of his celebrity clients, and his front row reflected his history of red carpet connections. Among the attendees of his most recent show were Sophia Loren, Jodie Foster, and Olivia Wilde. The clothes at his latest production, however, were more sci-fi than gala. In fact, they could have easily fit in the latter actress's latest production, Tron. A robot army of models strutted out in dome-like hats and shiny leggings, sporting swaths of reflective organza that resembled high-tech armor more than breathable fabric. In silver, sculptural corsets and collars looked so much like steel that their fluidity was surprising. A "shirt" - actually, more of a cross between a necklace and a bib - appeared to be crafted ingeniously from cut gemstones. The rippling design on an ocean-blue dress had a texture that evoked rivulets of water on a glass window. Drop-waisted, reverse-tapered dresses were unique and eyecatching, if potentially unflattering. The ombre effect was fantastic, but a harsh strip of white at the top of a blue dress made it look too Cinderella - and not in a magical way. In couture, presentation is half the appeal, and the collection could have benefitted from a cleaner, more minimalistic runway to complement the futuristic designs. All the same, rest assured that Armani will always be well-represented, especially among the star-studded crowd.