Designers, models vie for spot on Oscar stage

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- Nine fashion designers need your help to make their Oscar dreams a reality.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is again hosting its Oscars Designer Challenge, where emerging fashion designers can win a chance to have one of their original gowns worn by a trophy model during the Academy Awards telecast.

Oscar fans and fashionistas can see the dress contestants online at www.oscar.com and vote once daily for their favorite until Monday. The winning gown -- and the model wearing it -- will appear onstage during the Oscar ceremony.

Designer Clay Sadler said seeing his floor-sweeping, cream-colored creation on the big show "would be a lifelong dream."

"Even as a child, I would watch the Oscars and say, 'One day I will have a dress on that stage,'" Sadler said.

Now in its third year, the Oscars Designer Challenge puts a glamorous aspect of the show directly into fans' hands and gives up-and-coming fashion designers unprecedented exposure, coordinator Toni Pickett said.

"For those who don't have the ability to contact celebrities, this can help springboard them to the next level," she said, adding that one of last year's finalists, Oday Shakar, went on to design the black, backless dress Sandra Bullock wore to the 2010 MTV Movie Awards.

Shakar was discovered by the star's stylist through Oscars Designer Challenge.

The 83rd annual Academy Awards will be presented Feb. 27 at the Kodak Theatre and broadcast on ABC.

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Online:

www.oscar.com