Emerging Designer Fernanda Carneiro and eight other up-and-coming designers walked the runway at The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences during the “Oscars Designer Challenge 2010” fashion show yesterday.  They were not modeling, but were showing their original evening gown designs.  Only one designer’s gown will be worn by the model selected to present the trophies at the 82nd Academy Awards on Sunday, March 7.  Oscar fans will vote on to decide the best design.

The fashion showcase held at the Academy’s Beverly Hills headquarters was viewed by the fashion and entertainment press.    The designers were chosen by Oscar fashion coordinator Patty Fox and an advisory committee.  The designers were then paired 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®.

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. The winner will also receive two tickets to attend the Oscars ceremony.

Public voting for “Oscars Designer Challenge 2010” begins today at Oscar.com, the official Web site of the Academy Awards.  Oscar fans will be able to see footage from the fashion show and cast their vote. Anyone over the age of 18 can register to participate and will be eligible to vote once a day through 11:59 p.m. PT on March 1, 2010, when the voting period ends.

Beginning March 3, “Oscars Designer Challenge: Behind the Dress,” a Web series documenting the competition will be viewable on Oscar.com daily through March 8, 2010.  The winning design will be announced first during “Oscars Red Carpet… 2010,” the live arrivals show that will air on ABC beginning at 5 p.m. PT on March 7.

Images courtesy of www.oscars.org