Armani Prive

The name of the game at Armani Privé? Extreme femininity — in the most futuristic way possible. The 2011 Spring Couture collection in its entirety stuns in jewel tones and sculptural silhouettes, but it's the details that deserve our full attention. Pay close attention to the white, triangle toppers, the small metallic berets that pair with every ensemble, and the netted masks that mimic the silvery scales of strapless column dresses. But, even in its modernity and circus-bright aesthetic, Armani never loses sight of a woman's curves. Dresses are body-hugging, bust-lines are low, and jewels are worn as tops. Slinky, sparkly textures and bold hues take over on everything — it's quirky-chic and exotic new-age at its best. Click through to see all the amazing details.

>> The Armani Prive front row was well-stocked with Sophia Loren, Pedro Almodovar, Jodie Foster, and Olivia Wilde, but no Lady Gaga, despite her multimillion dollar partnership with Armani. That's not to say her presence wasn't felt in the futuristic collection. Derek Blasberg Tweeted: "Armani couture has gone all Sci-Fi on me. Pierre Cardin-esque shapes, iridescent fabrics and flying saucers hats. Is that the Gaga effect?" And Cathy Horyn, too, Tweeted: "Did Lady Gaga influence Armani's super-future lines and curves in startling collection of synthetic/metallic shine and enamel-like color?"

>> How many articles have been written heralding the imminent death of couture? But after Alexander McQueen reported that its custom order business is profitable last week, executives across the board seem optimistic about the state of couture.

Dior, for instance, has doubled the guest list for its Spring 2011 couture show Monday to about 800 people — because the demand is there. “It’s been an excellent year for couture,” Dior CEO Sidney Toledano told WWD, citing a growth in Asian clientele and the fact that American clients who left during the economic crisis returned last year.

Jean Paul Gaultier also experienced a "spectacular" return of American clients last year, according to deputy managing director Caroline Le Borgne, who says: “For the moment, nothing tells us we won’t have a great year."

And Givenchy said its decision to do a presentation instead of runway show last July, creating more exclusivity, was a boon for business. It created a bump in editorial coverage, according to Givenchy CEO Fabrizio Malverdi, and: “The clients have increased because of our intimate presentation. They prefer not to be seen with a show context.” The house had a 10 percent gain in couture in 2010 and expects a similar increase in 2011, Malverdi says. "The Middle East is increasing, and China is starting to show interest."

Armani Prive logged a 45 percent increase in 2010, says Armani deputy chairman John Hooks, fueled by an influx of new clients: "We did an Armani Prive show in Dubai on the occasion of the opening of the new Armani Hotel Dubai, and this had a dramatic effect on sales of couture in the region." He added that new clients in Russia and other ex-Soviet bloc countries also contributed. “Couture is following the current pattern of all trade in the fashion business — emerging markets are growing faster than the established ones.”

That's why Chanel plans to bring Karl Lagerfeld's Spring 2011 couture collection, following its show in Paris on Tuesday, to New York, Los Angeles, Shanghai, and another Asian city — Hong Kong, Beijing, and Tokyo are being considered. “Because the customers are not always coming to Paris, we need to go to them for the fittings,” said Bruno Pavlovsky, president of fashion at Chanel. And Valentino plans to bring its couture collection to Russia, possibly in 2012, said its CEO Stefano Sassi.

A preview of next week's couture collections in the gallery.

Before we sign off from Golden Globes duty, we must leave you with our top 10 from the red carpet and afterparties. So many ladies turned it out in lavish gowns and fabulous minidresses, but these are the 10 who wowed from head to toe. Marchesa, Vera Wang, Zac Posen, Armani Prive, Jenny Packham, Lanvin — without further ado, click through to see Fab's top 10 from the 2011 Golden Globes.

While Dior's Fall 2010 couture collection was a floral vision, Armani Privé's got straight down to business. Luxe business, that is. Flowy suits, cropped trousers, artsy jackets, metallic blazers, and tweeds are tamed by neutral hues. It's a collection that will make any working gal a fashion hit. Enter for 10 ways to look chic at work, inspired by Armani Privé's latest line.