THE ACADEMY'S OSCAR DESIGNER CHALLENGE

The Famed Oscar

Looks like everyone is hooked on reality TV competition and now even Oscar is getting in on the action. This year the Academy Awards announced its first ever “Oscars Designer Challenge” where online voting will help propel the career of one lucky fashion designer.For the “Oscars Designer Challenge,” seven up-and-coming fashion designers will vie to have one of their original designs worn by an Award escort during the 81st Academy Awards on Sunday, February 22, 2009. The seven designers participating are Moire Conroy (New York), Alan Del Rosario (Los Angeles), Sam Kori George (Chicago), Marianne Kooimans (Los Angeles), Maria Pinto (Chicago), Nicolas Putvinski (New York) and Robert Rodriguez (Los Angeles.) Oscar producers Laurence Mark and Bill Condon, along with Oscar fashion coordinator Patty Fox, selected and paired the designers with Los Angeles-based models, one of whom will wear the chosen gown while presenting Oscar statuettes on the stage on Oscar Night.The competing designers and their creations were introduced to members of the fashion and entertainment press at a runway show put on at The Academy’s Beverly Hills headquarters. A glam squad from Roy Teeluck Salon prepped the models for their strut down the runway. Beautiful diamonds and spectacular shoes, provided by Stuart Weitzman, completed the ensembles. Voting for the “Oscars Designer Challenge” began Tuesday February 10 at www.Oscar.com where you can view footage of the gowns and cast your vote. Anyone over the age of 18 may participate and will be eligible to vote once a day through 5pm PST on February 17, 2009. The winning design will be announced during “Oscar’s Red Carpet 2009,” the live arrivals show that will air on ABC Television, Tuesday February 22 at 5pm PST. The winning designer will receive two tickets to attend the Oscars ceremony and watch his or her design worn live on the telecast.The Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 will be presented at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 22, 2009 and broadcast live by ABC. The Oscar presentation will also be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide. Check out http://oscars.go.com/play on-line for more information.