USA: AMPAS gives the media a sneak peek of the A-list celebrity styles expected on the Oscar red carpet this year

Record ID: 197395

  • Title: USA: AMPAS gives the media a sneak peek of the A-list celebrity styles expected on the Oscar red carpet this year
  • Date: 25th February 2010
  • Summary: BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 17, 2010) (REUTERS) ACTRESS SANDRA BULLOCK AT THE 2010 GOLDEN GLOBES AWARDS LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 23, 2010) (REUTERS) ACTRESS SANDRA BULLOCK AT THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD (SAG) AWARDS LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (JANUARY 17, 2010) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) ACTRESS GABOUREY SIDIBE AT THE 2010 GOLDEN GLOBES AWARDS LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (REUTERS) (*** FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY ***) ACTRESS GABOUREY SIDIBE AT THE AFI FILM FEST
  • Embargoed: 12th March 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Usa
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA52VCO5L7O5WT3ZEXW1DDOCBM2
  • Story Text: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) gives the media a sneak peek of the A-list celebrity styles expected to shine on the Oscar red carpet this year.
    The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) rolled out the red carpet for the media on Tuesday (February 23) with a sneak peek of the A-list celebrity styles expected to shine on the Oscar red carpet this year.
    The fashion preview focused on a short runway show featuring original evening gowns by the nine finalists chosen to participate in the "Oscars Designer Challenge 2010." The winning dress will be worn onstage at the 82nd Annual Academy Awards.
    Academy Awards Fashion Coordinator Patti Fox welcomed guests and introduced each designer to the audience, taking time to discuss a few of the details of each creation and point out the diamond jewelry designed by Martin Katz.
    Among the couture dresses featured in the line-up was a blue and gold iridescent silk taffeta number by Chicago-based designer Elda De La Rosa. The model wearing this gown also sported yellow and pink diamond chandelier earrings.
    De La Rosa shared what it meant to her to be part of the esteemed group selected by AMPAS and have the chance to get her gown seen by the millions around the world who tune into the Oscars each year.
    "Well, to me it's the ultimate dream. I started off as a designer of big fancy gowns and evening dresses. I'm not a fast fashion, ready-to-wear type of designer. I love couture gowns. And so it's the ultimate dream. I have always looked at the Oscars and all of the awards shows, because I so wanted to be part of it. So it's a dream come true."
    Los Angeles designer Oday Shakar showed off his artistry by presenting a sparkling silver French lace gown covered with 5,000 Swarovski crystals. The model wearing the dazzling dress was also draped with 4-carat pear-shaped diamond earrings.
    Shakar also expressed his excitement about the unique opportunity afforded him by the AMPAS contest.
    "I've been designing for about ten years in this industry for other designers. And about 8 months ago I decided to take that leap of faith with a business partner of mine and start my own business in evening gowns and cocktail dresses. So, I'm just ecstatic to be here."
    Other gowns featured at the show included a three-toned grey tulle dress by designer Ari Sheuhmelian; a black silk chiffon mermaid gown with a 56-carat diamond belt by designer Fernando Carneiro; a laser-cut leather gown with a bubble-drape skirt by designer Rania Salibi paired with black jade and diamond earrings; and an ivory pineapple and abaca fiber gown covered with fabric roses and freshwater pearls from the Philippines by designer Oliver Tolentino.
    Meanwhile, the woman in charge of assisting the stars with any fashion needs prior to the Academy Awards commented on what Hollywood's biggest night means to the fashion world.
    "Well the interesting thing about the Oscar red carpet is it's the height of elegance," said Fox. "So, it sets trends. There are more designers watching it and then creating looks after seeing what goes down the red carpet, rather than the flip, which is international fashion trends on a catwalk. Because, you know, these are real women that everybody's dressing. So it's important to try to bring out their signature style."
    Hairstylist to the stars Roy Teeluck revealed what types of upscale coiffures would be seen at the upcoming Oscars.
    "Well, I think that for the most part, we're going to see the hair kind of sleek, pulled back, and tight to the scalp. Tight to the head. This is a way of really exposing the dresses. Allowing the face to really be a part of the whole style. And not take anything away from that by having overpowering hair."
    Make-up artist Jeffrey Paul talked about the direction cosmetics is taking at the Oscars this year.
    "Make-up trends this year, we're seeing a lot of influence from the 1920s. And, I particularly wanted to find and bring that forward, especially with someone like Myrna Loy, who had like nice, dark, smoky eyes. But a lot of celebrities aren't going to wear a 1920s make-up. So what I wanted to find was somewhere in between. So, we have a soft smoky eye with greys and pinks, and to sculpt out the eye and bring out the color, especially if they're wearing a grey or a topaz or peach or lighter tones, and then a soft pink lip. So that way you have a little bit of everything."
    Jeweler Martin Katz had plenty of bling on display to show-off a sampling of his latest creations.
    Katz noted that two of the Oscar Best Actress nominees would be accessorized with his finest diamond pieces.
    "But certainly Gabby, from 'Precious,' is one of our favorites. We've been jeweling her for awhile. And we're going to come up with something really fun for her this year. But she likes her diamonds. She definitely likes her diamonds. And there's a lot of other young celebrities, and certainly Sandra Bullock. I've been jewelry for her for years and years and years. So it's so much fun to see her back on the red carpet."
    The Oscars red carpet and awards show will take place at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on March 7, 2010.
    That's less than two weeks away.
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