Although it’s easy to be underwhelmed by any dresses coming before the Oscars, there are some ladies who really turned it out last night. We put our top 10 at the beginning of the gallery for your viewing pleasure. All photos from Huffington Post Style.

Alison Edmond handled the styling duties, though according to fashion director Nina Garcia, Edmond didn’t have that much work to do: “[Jolie] is the utter professional,” Garcia told New York Mag. “[She's] opinionated, she knows what she likes and what she doesn’t like…Very simple and classic shapes.” Cut to some Salvatore Ferragamo pajamas, an Elie Saab dress, and a DKNY slip and we’ve got an editorial.

Photos: Image Amplified

*Kate Middleton‘s Alexander McQueen was a late addition and Rubenstein had to cut one of the dresses to keep the list to 100. So it was sayonara Nancy Reagan and her white one-shoulder inauguration ball gown. Michelle Obama‘s Jason Wu, however, remained in tact. [WWD, sub req'd]

The most hardcore way to go for the glitter is with a full-length red carpet ready dress. Elie Saab nailed this in emerald during Fashion Month. We can’t wait to see who wears this on the red carpet.

Julianna Margulies in Armani Privé - I almost fell over when Julianna walked up the stairs to accept her Emmy last night wearing this stunning white gown. I immediately knew the structured bodice was Armani Privé -  you can’t go wrong wearing it on the red carpet.

Thou wouldst to wear a muumuu, else nothing,

but work awaits ye, chic o thee must be.

Hark! Ensembles o’er here! Thrice beest thine!

And all that is made cometh from here,

the States that doth be United in

America. Except for all shoes.

Find thyself looking bright to work ere’day,

Support thee and thy country in this way.

***Sparknotes version: Three looks for work on a summer’s day. All made in the USA, shoes not withstanding. See it all here.

Photo: Lucky Magazine

Catherine will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Fit: 5

Appropriateness: 5

Trendiness: 3

Styling: 5

Hair: 3

Makeup: 5

Pose: 5

Confidence: 5

No surprise here – Catherine is at the top of her class and looks ravishing as always. She stole the show as a presenter at last night’s Tony Awards. Even though the hair was just a touch tight for my taste, it did not affect her gorgeous look negatively.

Emma will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Fit: 5

Appropriateness: 4

Trendiness: 4

Styling: 4

Shoes: 5

Hair: 5

Makeup: 5

Pose: 4

Confidence: 5

I really love that Emma chose this elegant and youthful Elie Saab dress to host the Nylon party. She always errs on the safe side, but it works for her to the max on this particular occasion. And I am obsessed with the shoes.

LESTER @LesFabian: “Well, as a simple gal with simple tastes, I would suggest this little Dior Spring 2007 Haute Couture number that says everything a wedding dress ought to for a princess-to-be, i.e. I’m infinitely better than you could ever hope to be. I’d suggest you request it in red, though, since your really not fooling anyone.”

AMANDA @crystlmeatballs: “From Alexander McQueen’s Spring 2011 collection, it’s whimsical, gilded, lightly provocative and straight from the fashion house of Britain’s greatest visionary. You should wear this dress, hands down. I secretly have this dress saved in the archives of what I want my own to look like, but I’ll let you have it.”

SAMANTHA @iamsamlim: “I picked this dress by Marchesa because its full tulle skirt represents the uber-princess and the top is modern, romantic, yet still appropriate for your royal wedding.”

McARTHUR @mcarthurjoseph: “You know Kate, it’s not a REAL wedding unless there’s some Vera Wang.”

JENN @JennJann: “I really love the trendy blush color Reese Witherspoon wore and such a fan of understated elegance.  This Vera Wang gown has hints of couture. How can you be a princess without couture?”

BRAD @Bradlyman: “This is my pick. Jeremy Brandrick is such a talented designer who’s now exclusively doing wedding gowns. He trained at Central St Martins College in London along with McQueen, McCartney, and Galliano. His haute aesthetic would exude a princess out of you.”

JESSY @jessylalancette: “I like this Amsale gown for its simplicity. You could surprise us with something simply beautiful.”

ALEX @pachodak: “I this THIS is the perfect dress. Hands down. It just needed a hat.”

JOSH @LinamLogic: “Let’s keep it in the family. Diana wore an Elizabeth Emanuel dress with a 25-foot train, which was described by some as ‘the dress of the century.’ While the piece has been part of a traveling museum collection, I think you could pull a few strings. Hand-me-down?”

JESSICA (me) @JessicaLapidos: “With cloud-like details ruffling down layers and layers of sheer non-froufy-fluff, this Elie Saab gown is royally inviting a princess like you to wear it.”

Love ‘em? Hate ‘em? Royally freaked out by the head transplants? What will she wear?!? IT’S KILLING US!! Tweet us your thoughts…..and I think @pachodak might need a word or two about what it means to be a princess bride.

Favorite floral dresses, from left:

Charlotte Sparre Garden of Eden Silk Dress $320 – pret-a-beaute.com

French Connection Lilly Dress $99.99 – usa.frenchconnection.com

D&G Pleated Mimosa Print Boned Dress $1,526 – my-wardrobe.com

Topshop Cream Rose Wrap Fifties Sundress $75 – us.topshop.com

Favorite floral tops, clockwise from top:

Paul & Joe Floral Print Halter Top $858 – boutique1.com

Bird by Juicy Couture Floral-Patterned Cotton Mesh Top $280 – net-a-porter.com

Madewell Floral Waterfall Top $110 – shopbird.com

Tao Comme des Garçons Flower Front Top $705 – barneys.com

Favorite floral bottoms, clockwise from top:

Dries Van Noten Pyrus Pants $659 – mytheresa.com

Dorothy Perkins Black/Red 50s Poppy Skirt $28 – dorothyperkins.com

Cacharel Impatiences floral print shorts $284 – matchesfashion.com

Jil Sander Floral-Print Silk-Twill Pencil Skirt $745 – net-a-porter.com

Favorite floral shoes, clockwise from top left:

Betsey Johnson Maggi Denim Pumps $100 – heels.com

Brian Atwood Court Shoes $3,903 – colette.fr

Seychelles Eyes Of Mars Strap Sandals With Rose Front $161 – us.asos.com

Alexander McQueen Tan 3D Flower Wedge $995 – alexandermcqueen.com

Favorite floral accessrories, clockwise from top:

Fendi Rose Chef Zucca Canvas Medium Satchel Bag $960 – forzieri.com

Jack Wills Evington Floral Head Band $24 – jackwills.com

Ksubi Atik Blue & White Floral Sunglasses $329 – superette.co.nz

Elie Saab Floral Chain Belt $436 – boutique1.com

Stylist Lucinda Chambers has Arizona taking flight in Elie Saab Haute Couture and Kirsi making waves in Marchesa, as Madeleine and Irina draw a cockney crowd in Vivienne Westwood.

Meanwhile, Fei Fei and Arizona are ready to cause a five-alarm fire in Alberta Ferretti and Carolina Herrera, respectively; luckily there’s a response team in the neighborhood.

Karmen is every inch the fairy tale princess in Dior Haute Couture and though there is nary a prince in sight, she could easily settle for a Lt. Charming of the Household Regiment – D Squadron.

Fei Fei, however is ready to find herself a few good men– and at least one boyish girl — in Jenny Packham.

All of these gowns are sickeningly gorgeous, but which one would you prefer to see the future princess Naomi Campbell-walk down the aisle in?

I’m a traditionalist and have always wanted to get married in Dior Haute Couture…my bridesmaids, all drag queens in Chanel Couture, deathdropping down the aisle while Liz Taylor officiates in a Givenchy Couture catsuit. Sadly, that dream is now missing a Dame.

Link Love: The Fashion Spot / Photos: Fashiontography

Wood will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

Fit: 4

Appropriateness: 5

Trendiness: 4

Styling: 4

Shoes: 4

Hair: 5

Makeup: 5

Pose: 5

Confidence: 5

I always love what Evan Rachel Wood is wearing, and she looks gorgeous in this dress. The makeup and hair are perfect too – bravo to her stylist.

Misty

We’re getting Misty eyed with Marlena Szoka featuring the best looks of Haute Couture Spring Summer 2011 Collections for the April edition of Harper’s BAZAAR China with Gaultier Paris by Jean-Paul Gaultier, Maison Martin Margiela Artisanal, Chanel Haute Couture by Karl Lagerfeld, Elie Saab Haute Couture, Alexandre Vauthier Couture, the last Dior Haute Couture Collection by John Galliano, Armani Privé by Giorgio Armani, Valentino Haute Couture by Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, Givenchy Haute Couture by Riccardo Tisci captured in the Mist of the Hotel Le Bristol, Paris by Benjamin Kanarek.

To Watch the Video and the Whole Story Here

So what is a great Oscar gown? It’s a dress that is memorable, history-making, scene-stealing or just plain fucking perfect. With that, I just don’t get the fuss over Gwyneth‘s pink prom dress and refuse to even acknowledge that gown or the fact that she has an Oscar.

Audrey Hepburn (1954) Auds became a star and a fashion icon that night when she wore Givenchy, beginning a lifetime collaboration between the star and designer. Along with America’s heart, she took home the Best Actress trophy for her debut performance in Roman Holiday.

Elizabeth Taylor (1961) In the pantheon of great movie stars, few shine brighter or longer than Liz Taylor, thus a list of the greatest Oscar gowns could barely be considered legitimate without Liz throwing her white diamonds into the mix — I hear they’ve always brought her luck. Taylor won her first of two Oscars for BUtterfield 8 and wore this gorgeous Christian Dior number to claim her statuette. It’s generally accepted  – even by Liz herself — that Taylor won the award through a vote of sympathy after losing her husband Mike Todd in a plane crash – only to seek comfort with Debbie Reynolds’ then-husband Eddie Fisher —  and suffering a life-threatening illness during filming – at one point she was actually pronounced dead. Six years later she took home a well-deserved trophy for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Cher (1984) Cher might have proved that she was a serious actress with her Oscar-nominated turn as Meryl Streep‘s lesbian lover in Silkwood, but she’s still fucking Cher. The icon wore Bob Mackie (natch) to the 1984 ceremony but lost only to win three years later for Moonstruck. And that gown was no less show-stopping, but didn’t have this amazing headdress.

Halle Berry (2002) Halle Berry not only became the first African American to win a Best Actress Academy Award that night, but she also launched Elie Saab into the sartorial stratosphere. This was Berry’s and Saab’s shining moment and everything since then has been an enormous letdown. On both their parts.

Barbra Streisand (1969) Eschewing tradition and helping to usher in a new generation of movie star, Babs wore a see-through sequined sailor pantsuit by Arnold Scaasi. It was a big gamble but La Streisand came out the winner and made history by tying for Best Actress with Katharine Hepburn when they won for Funny Girl and Lion in Winter, respectively. Kate chose not to attend because, honestly, it was her third (of four) Oscars and she couldn’t have been bothered.

Celine Dion (1999) Was it a stroke of genius that caused Celine Dion to turn her Christian Dior blazer back-to-front or did she simply forget to take her medication that day? Either way, Celine was memorable the year after her heart went on and on to win Best Original Song (though the award itself went to the songwriters, I. Dunno and No-one Cares).

Nicole Kidman (1997) Nikki Kids was a greenhorn on the red carpet before this Dior gown and became one of its reigning queens after. Though she gave an incredible performance the previous year in To Die For, she won in 2003 for her brilliant portrayal of Virginia Woolf in the saddest movie ever made, otherwise known as The Hours. Nominated this year for her third Oscar for Rabbit Hole, she’s got some big shoes to fill: her own.

Anjelica Huston (1976) Former Halston model Anjelica Huston looked flawless and managed to do what few people can claim: take attention away from Jack Nicholson, who won his first of three Oscars that year for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Huston would claim her own statuette, for Best Supporting Actress, a decade later for Prizzi’s Honor, also starring Nicholson.

Sharon Stone (1999) I usually spell “batshit crazy” S-H-A-R-O-N-S-T-O-N-E, but Stone looked the picture of elegance in a Vera Wang skirt paired with a Gap button down. The marriage of high and low was made in heaven that night, though I still couldn’t tell you why she was at the ceremony that year. But like most things with Sharon Stone, I don’t question it.

Björk (2001) The dress that launched a thousand jokes, Björk’s Marjan Pejoski swan dress was perhaps the last epic thing to stroll down the Oscar red carpet. Nommed for Best Original Song that year, Björk may have left empty-handed but no one will ever forget that she was there.

Who will leave tongues hanging or heads scratching at this year’s Academy Awards. Of the 10 Best Lead and Supporting Actress nominees, I’m most looking forward to Kidman, teen breakthrough Hailee Steinfeld (as well as peer Elle Fanning who will get her own nomination one day), the almost always flawless Michelle Williams and kooky Helena Bonham Carter.

Unfortunately, Natalie Portman is preggers so naturally I have no interest in what she’s wearing and just hope her water doesn’t break while accepting her award.

Photos: Vogue UK, Time

Halle Berry has one of the best bodies in Hollywood, so she needs something both sophisticated and sexy. This Elie Saab couture dress has just enough sheer detailing to be slightly provocative. It fits her like a glove and the color is amazing with her skin tone. Here is what the dress looked like on the runway:

It fits Halle better than the model! She kept her accessories to a minimum, letting the dress speak for itself as it was shown on the runway. I love the bracelet and small, sparkling earrings. If this was the Oscars, I’d say do a big chandelier in the ear, but she dressed perfectly for the occasion. Grade?

A+

Love, love, love it Halle! Keep up the excellent work.

LINK LOVE: The Fashion Patrol

To me, Elie Saab is the best gown designer. He knows how to make a woman look wonderful in his creations. This collection is full of light and luxurious fabrics and is  inspired by his Lebanese culture. This collection is flawless. Check my favorites after the jump…

I’m super excited for this movie, even though it’s already getting not so positive reviews. Loving SJP’s Valentino Couture dress, the color looks amazing on her skin. Kristen Davis opted for a vintage Jean dress from Decades Inc, love the color as well. Cynthia Nixon wore Carolina Herrera, a bit drab for such a big premier in my opinion. Of course, Kim Cattrall sexed it up in a gold Naeem Khan. More…

Leave it to SJP to change during the premier. Love love love this look, although I do wish the skirt was a bit shorter.

LINK LOVE: Red Carpet Fashion Awards

Beyonce wore this blue Elie Saab dress last year on the Late Show with David Letterman, while Dita von Teese was recently seen at the Elie Saab show wearing the same dress.

I think they both look amazing in it, but my vote for the best goes to Dita because I love the way she accessorized it more. Her signature red lip also adds another fun color to the look.

Who’s your pick?

11:15pm  I love/miss/adore/admire Eminem!

10:00pm Prince and Paris Jackson on stage!

10:00pm Why weren’t we warned about this 3D action?

9:57pm Usher is HOT!!!

9:48pm Tribute to Micheal Jackson features a bunch of random famous singers…like Celion Dion!

9:46pm Taylor Swift sings…with Stevie Nixx

9:45pm Ryan Seacrest again?

9:34pm Why is Chris O’donnell still important?

9:32pm Best rock album goes to Green Day ’21st Century Breakdown’

9:20pm Robert Downey Jr announces Jamie Foxx ‘Blame it on the…

9:18pm Record of the year goes to Kings of Leon ‘Use Somebody’

9:10pm Best comedy album (whatever that means) goes to Steven Colbert

8:58pm Is there a cue that says ‘STAND and CLAP’?

8:56pm Up now Black Eyed Peas…it’s gonna be a good night!

8:55pm Once again hate Miley Cyrus!

8:45pm Best new artist goes to The Zac Brown Band…who are these hicks?

8:42pm Pink has taken up aerial acrobatics, was dipped in water, currently dripping onto the crowd.

8:40pm Seal announces Pink!

8:25pm Beyonce sings Alanis Morissett’s You Otta Know…Amazing!

8:18pm Lamest performance EVER!

8:14pm Who the hell are these people?

8:13pm What is J.Lo wearing?

8:11pm Single Ladies!

8:09pm Song of the year goes to: wait for it…Steve pulls out an ipad!

8:07pm Our host Steven Colbert!

8:06pm That was it? Boring!

Giorgio Armani Prive

8:00pm Lady Gag opens! Long platinum blond locks, very revealing green glitter bathing suit, giant bruise on right thigh! Double piano with Elton John.

7:51pm Rihanna looks WOW!!! Some form of white big bird big neck gown thing, apparently it’s Elie Saab!

7:44pm Ciara wore a lace Givenchy pant suit, pulls a Lady Gaga with her visible underwear.

7:42pm Sheryl Crow has a two year old, wore Bottega Veneta.

7:40pm Ke$ha is an idiot! Likes buying tacos, describes her style as garbage can chic!

7:33pm Beyonce had glitter highlights added to her weave.

7:32pm Taylor Swift is sparkly head to toe, in a teal off the shoulder gown.

7:30pm Nicole Kidman towers over everyone around her, wore a black Prada halter gown.

7:28pm I hate Miley Cyrus!!!

7:26pm Jaime Fox has two grown daughters…how old is he?

7:24pm Carrie Underwood is super cute, wearing a white A line gown.

7:20pm Pink: platinum blond mohawk, another mermaid gown.

7:15pm Jennifer Hudson: looks like her head is shaved besides her bangs and high pony tail. If the dress looks familiar, that is cuz it’s Victoria Beckham!

7:12pm Trendspark: purposeful shirt half tuck, loving this look!

7:10pm Keri Hilson nominated for best new artist, looks gorgeous in a long nude mermaid gown by Dolce & Gabbana

7:09pm Seacrest talks to the Fray, they are currently working on a new album.

7:03pm Black Eyed Peas talk to Seacrest, Fergie looks glowy, Josh joins on stage. Boy is he Hot!

7:02pm Heidi Klum looks amazing post baby!

7:00pm. Oh god. Tony Braxton has a half shaved head.

What is there not to love about Elie Saab, he makes the perfect couture dress, mixing luxurious fabrics such as silk and chiffon with added touches of pearl beading and embroidered lace.

Find more photos like this on ENVY. THE FASHION NETWORK

#5. Kate Hudson in a phenomenal backless Pucci gown. The Cartier back-drop necklace is the icing on the cake!

#4. Nicole Kidman is reminiscent a Morroccan holiday in her beaded Oscar de la Renta. The Fred Leighton bangles are perfection!

#3. Drew Berrymore in a stunning sapphire Monique Lhuillier… although we’re not to sure what happened to her hair…

#2. Diane Kruger channels MObama in Jason Wu. We don’t think Diane is capable of not looking good. Lucky.

#1. Miss Marion Cotillard in Elie Saab Haute Couture. We don’t care if Andre Leon Talley compared you to a rejected Laduree macaroon, we think you stole the show. Now when you’re done with that dress, we’d like to borrow it…

The Ones who REALLY Missed it…

#3. Julia Louis-Dreyfus. We know you’re wearing D&G but you must not be one of their A-list clients because you wouldn’t have ended up with such a badly made dress if you were. Those horizontal strips of cheap-looking tulle are doing nothing for your midsection, and that drop-skirt hem?!?! GIRLLL.

#2. Julie Bowen in god knows what. There is really NOTHING flattering about this dress. It looks as if the designer ran out of white fabric to finish the dress, so he just had to make do with the black! She looks like a chessboard gone wrong.

#1. Sophia Loren in Armani Prive. So bad I don’t even have words.

Images from Just Jared and Style.com

Though I can’t say I was overly impressed with the looks from the Elie Saab Fall 2009 Couture show (sorry folks, it had Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld written all over it), I was absolutely captivated by the simplicity and brilliance of the makeup used in the show. Models walked down the runway in what appears to be basic upper lash mascara and a white eyeshadow strip from temple to temple. It very well may be a “snow-queen” look, but I can definitely see the white strip look being very trendy during the fall and winter months. Subtle, elegant and beautiful! 

To see how the white strip makeup trend looks on other skin tones, with different hair and eye colors, click here! 

Thanks for the tip Fashion Copious! Photos via Style.

Looking ultra cute and feminine, Katy Perry wore this Elie Saab Spring 09 dress to the MTV European Music Awards, where she reportedly changed outfits over 10 times. Love the soft pink, and striking red lipstick.

Thanks Fabulousness for the pics

Elie Saab, who we still consider an indie designer considering his official mark on the fashion scene was in 2002 when Halle Berry wore one of his gown to the Oscars. This collection is amazing, not quite Galliano, but Saab def knows how to make a gown worthy of a beauty queen. I’m also really liking the one shoulder look, with emphasis on that shoulder with large pleating and ruffles effect.