Academy announces 'Oscars Designer Challenge 2011'

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is inviting the public to vote on an element of its annual Oscar telecast. In "Oscars Designer Challenge 2011," nine up-and-coming fashion designers are vying to have their original evening gown worn by one of the awards escorts during the 83rd Academy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 27. Members of the fashion and entertainment press will be introduced to the 10 designers and their creations at a runway fashion show on Feb. 15 at the Academy's Beverly Hills, Calif., headquarters.

The designers participating in "Oscars Designer Challenge 2011" are Angela Avanesyan, Los Angeles; Katelyn Bischof, New York; Octavio Carlin, Los Angeles; Miriam Cecilia Carlson, Chicago; James De Colon, Chicago; Zoe Hong, Oakland, Calif.; Borris Powell, Chicago; Natalia Romano, Los Angeles; and Clay Sadler, Los Angeles. An advisory committee selected the designers and paired them with Los Angeles-based models, one of whom will wear the public's favorite gown as she brings Oscar statuettes onto the stage of the Kodak Theatre on Oscar Night.

Voting for "Oscars Designer Challenge 2011" begins Feb. 16 at 2:59 a.m., ET at Oscar.com, the official website of the Academy Awards, where movie fans and fashion lovers will be able to see footage of the gowns and cast their vote. Anyone over the age of 18 can register to participate and will be eligible to vote once a day through 2:59 a.m., ET on Feb. 22, when the voting period ends.

Also beginning on Feb. 16, "Oscars Designer Challenge: Behind the Dress," a Web series documenting the competition, will be viewable on Oscar.com daily through Feb. 20. A recap episode with an interview with the winner will be viewable on Feb. 28.

The winning design will be announced first during "Oscars Red Carpet Live," the live arrivals show that will air on ABC beginning at 7 p.m., ET on February 27.

In addition to having his or her winning design worn on the live telecast, the winning designer will receive two tickets to attend the Oscars ceremony.

A team of expert hairstylists from Roy Teeluck Salon and 83rd Academy Awards head makeup artist Bruce Grayson will prepare the models for their high-fashion stroll down the runway. Shoes by Stuart Weitzman and jewelry by emerging jewelers Jay Carlile, Diamond in the Rough and Gabriele Frantzen will complete the looks.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2010 will be presented on Sunday, Feb. 27, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.