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Although MacFarlane received mixed reviews as host of the Oscars, the event professionals we polled all liked the striking set design at the Dolby Theatre.

"I love creating a unique place for guests to congregate and enjoy one another, so I thought, why not create a massive floral carpet that would serve both as a beautiful focal point and a gathering area? I designed a 'carpet' and filled it with hundreds of beautiful blooms and then covered it with Plexiglas. The result was a statement piece that allowed guests to dance on air." —Preston Bailey

"I find out what will be trending and available to the public around the time of my event—and then I avoid it." —Billy Butchkavitz

"The second the guests crossed the threshold, they were transported to another world, through the looking glass and down the rabbit hole. We raided Bergdorf’s warehouse and brought scenic elements from iconic window displays over the past 111 years—this was their 111th anniversary after all." —Bronson van Wyck

"The beauty of this design was the bold use of color, which complemented the essence of Picasso’s art without focusing on a specific piece of his work. It allowed guests to step into his world of color." —Jeffry Roick

Vanity Fair took its annual A-list event back to the Sunset Tower hotel, which was bathed in colorful lighting that matched the host's brand. Inside, the hot-ticket viewing dinner got an understated look.