The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is inviting the public to choose an original evening gown by one of nine up-and-coming fashion designers who are vying to have their work worn by one of the Awards escorts during the 82nd Academy Awards.
Members of the fashion and entertainment press were introduced to the designers and their creations at a runway fashion show at the Academy's Beverly Hills headquarters on Tuesday.
Oscar fashion coordinator Patty Fox and an advisory committee selected the designers and paired them with Los Angeles-based models, one of whom will wear the voters' favourite gown as she brings Oscar statuettes onto the stage of the Kodak Theatre on Oscar night.
The designers participating in Oscars Designer Challenge 2010 are Fernanda Carneiro, Los Angeles; Elda De La Rosa, Chicago; Ivy Higa, New York; Phong Hong, Los Angeles; Rania Salibi, Phoenix; Oday Shakar, Los Angeles; Ari Sheuhmelian, Los Angeles; Oliver Tolentino, Los Angeles; and Kelsy Zimba, New York.
Voting for Oscars Designer Challenge 2010 has begun at Oscar.com, the official Web site of the Academy Awards, where site visitors may view footage of the gowns and cast votes.
APTN