Reem, Red Carpet Queen

At this point in her career, designer Reem Acra has had more memorable red carpet moments than Billy Bush.

Celebrities fond of classic, feminine looks are always calling on the Lebanese designer's vintage-inspired Hollywood aesthetic for big industry nights. A few recent, memorable  Reem moments: Christina Applegate affecting a 1940s screen queen in a gold-and-turqouise one-shouldered gown, Olivia Wilde as an ethereal princess in a champagne shirred confection and Eva Longoria bringing the heat in a fire-engine red scallop-edged frock.

And at last night's Emmy Awards, the designer's red carpet streak continued. The Office's Jenna Fisher showed up in a form-hugging black Reem Acra gown with intricate ebony beading framing its deep sweetheart neckline, while Elisabeth Moss from Mad Men shined (but looked a bit rumpled) in a dynamite dusty rose one-shouldered gown accented with vintage-feeling jewels.

We caught up with the New York-based Acra, who started out as a bridal designer before launching into ready-to-wear, last week while ensconsed in a bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel showcasing her opulent spring collection and chatting up celebrity stylists such as Jen Rade (who came with actress Peri Gilpin in tow) mere days before the Emmys.

Full of dreamy prints, diaphanous textiles and voluminous silhouettes -- including caftans and slouchy tees festooned with leather roses and huge costume gems -- the sumptuous collection felt like it was made for a young, hip royal vacationing on the Amalfi Coast.

We settled into a plush velvet couch with the designer to talk about the collection, her favorite celebrities and where she likes to grab a midnight bite in L.A.:

Style Section L.A.: What was your inspiration for the Spring 2010 collection?

Reem Acra: This collection was about hippie and cool and was very couture-like. I started with fabrics -- their is a print that's like a kaleidescope -- then mixed them up with florals. I started with fabrics then did my jewelry [huge baubles dripping with pearls and 
oversized costume gems.] It was the combination of how you stay young and stay very classical. It was one of the easiest collections that I put together.

SSLA: There are a number of diaphanous, light fabrics in the collection, and the draping is so casual -- was "ease" on your mind?

Acra: I wanted lightness and see-throughs. I used a lot of jerseys. I told my staff, 'Lighten up your hands. Let's change the mentality and stop tucking.' I would change their draping and say, 'No, no, no, let's loosen up." I went to everyone and kind of specifically sat down and said, 'I want to to be cooler so let's change this twist and make it looser.'

SSLA: The jewelry is incredible -- huge, bold and 80s-inspired. How did you conceptualize it?

Acra: I closed the door and decided I'm gonna do this fast. I did it within one hour -- all the jewelry. I said whatever comes out of it, that's what we're doing. It's very decadent and really very much my style. It's everything I would personally wear. The colors are very vintage. I bought every pearl on the market. I said, 'buy them all and put them in my office.' I surrounded myself with beads and pearls.

SSLA: You make an amazing caftan.
 How and when would you recommend women wear a caftan?

Acra: You'd wear a caftan for a light evening on the beach, entertaining at home. When you want to be casual but can't be too casual. Flat shoes with a caftan are always the best, but if the caftan goes down to the floor, you can wear high heels. But flat is always best.

SSLA: You have multiple prints in the Spring collection. What's the key to pulling of prints?

Acra: In general prints are tricky. But if they're well done... If you are afraid of prints, have one piece that's printed and everything else plain. If you want to be more edgy, you mix the prints.

SSLA: You have some fab celebrity fans. What are your thoughts on dressing celebs? Do you chase people?

Acra: We're very carefeul. I'm not putting the brand on celebrtities that don't understand the brand. The line is becoming younger and younger. People who represent the brand really well are Christina Applegate, Eva Longoria and Olivia Wilde. Olivia very much represents the brand. She is young, fresh and not overwhelming.

SSLA: Do you like L.A.?

Acra: Yes, I love it! It's so different than New York. It gives me this other energy  I am very relaxed here. I love the people here, too. And I think my collection matches with L.A.