When Tilda Swinton wore a dress from the autumn / winter 2008/9 Lanvin collection to the Oscars, she had the critics divided. She looked like she was wearing a sack, said some, while others applauded her gumption; a one-armed, loose-flowing, floor-length gown is, after all, not your traditional red carpet fare. The rest of the Lanvin show, designed by Alber Elbaz, was no less courageous. Fiercely confident, almost predatory women strode out onto the runway, wearing a preponderance of black, and some midnight blue. It was sexy; fitted mini dresses, the fabric layered in deep ribbons across the body, enhanced every curve of the body. Model Liya Kebede wore a fantastic sheer and sequinned cocktail dress, and Raquel Zimmerman did a turn in strapless mini dress with nude chiffon at the décolletage, in a shiny black fabric. Elbaz has spoken of his interest in developing new materials, and this collection was a brilliant showcase for that.  -Danielle Radojcin