2011: Alexander McQueen Savage Beauty

Real humdinger of a theme! Too bad it hit this early... Still got some solid looks out of it, just don't expect anything spectacular.

red carpet photo of slender white woman, wearing a volumous black gown with long sleeves and deep v-neck featuring interesting pleated details, glittery silver clutch, dark hair swept up into an odd sort of roll or wave, clean eyes, strong brows, clean orange-red lip

Crystal Renn in Zac Posen

This was, I swear to god, the most avant-garde look that night. The extremely-2011 Blade Runner hair actually works in this context, I think!

red carpet photo of slim white woman, wearing a beige one-shoulder princess-line gown with a slight flare towards the bottom, abstract black lace applique on the bodice, raw-edge layers of chiffon on the skirt, bracelet with big brown cabochons, silver stud earrings, blonde hair loosely swept back into a chignon, mild smokey eye, red lip

Taylor Swift in J. Mendel

I hate to hand it to either TSwizzle or beige gowns, but! That black lace is *mwah*, and diaphanous layers of chiffon look SO GOOD when you can keep them from going 'prom dress'

red carpet photo of busty white woman, wearing a form-fitting gown with 3/4 sleeves and off-the-shoulder neckline and slight train, in layered ombre tones of brown and copper and beige, in some shiny material, with a bedazzled beige clutch, dangly earrings, shoulder-length loose waves of auburn hair, mild smokey eye, peachy lips

Christina Hendricks in Carolina Herrera

Perhaps a reference to McQueen's unconventional use of materials? In that it kinda looks like leather??? Pretty look anyhow.

red carpet photo of slim light-skinned black woman, wearing an empire-waist gown with leather bodice and chiffon skirt plus a leather bolero, in brown with croc embossing, matching clutch and belt, very simple and clean makeup look, yellow diamond earrings, hair swept up into rough pompadour

Alicia Keys in Givenchy

Well, McQueen WAS the creative director for Givenchy for a while... Generally I loathe an empire waist, but it totally works here! Solid styling too: the yellow diamond jewelry is simple without being too obvious.

red carpet photo of slender white/Asian woman, wearing a mini semi-sheer shift dress, with pleated black sleeveless yoke, silver pailettes on the body, and thick wavy metallic trim around the hems and pockets, matching clutch, black velvety platform sandals, brown hair in a loose messy center-part bob, another very clean makeup look with nude matter lips

Alexa Chung in Christopher Kane

Possibly the most Alexa Chung look ever? Remarkable for that reason alone, but the sheer pocket really puts it over the edge.