Academy Hosts Oscar Awards 2003 Fashion Preview

Academy Awards® fashion coordinator Patty Fox previewed the glamour and sophistication fans can expect to see in the dresses worn by the nominees, presenters and guests attending this year's Oscar ceremony.

"The Oscar red carpet has become the largest fashion show in the world with each couture gown an individual work of art. Once inside the theater the evening is all about film," says Patty Fox. "It is only fitting that on Oscar night the highest art of fashion meets the highest art of film."

Fox, who authored the fashion books Stat Style and Star Style at the Academy Awards visited the top New York design showrooms in February and selected gowns from some of the biggest names in fashion to feature in the preview. This year, Fox also endeavored to apply her fashion expertise to identify and bring to light some of the hottest and most promising designers currently hitting the fashion scene.

Fashion designers included in the preview were Christian Dior, Gianfranco Ferre, Badgley Mishka, Richard Tyler, Arnold Scaasi, Elie Saab and Bob Mackie.

This year's red carpet discoveries include designs by Kevan Hall, Monique Lhuillier, Hylan Booker, Lloyd Klein, Gemma Kahng, Peter Som, Robert Best and Tom and Linda Platt.

A team of expert hair stylists and make-up artists from Frédéric Fekkai and Co. prepared the models for their high fashion stroll down the runway constructed for this occasion.

"As the most anticipated event of the year, the Oscars set the stage for many of the year's beauty and fashion trends. For the 75th Academy Awards, we will be seeing glamour as always but a bit more edgy and sharp. Hair will be groomed, yet elegant and lived in," said Frédéric Fekkai. "The overall look and feel on the red carpet will be a combination of old school glamour coupled with a rock'n'roll attitude."

Jewels courtesy of Chopard, Vivid Collection, H. Stern, Hammerman, Harry Winston, De Beers and Martin Katz provided the finishing touches to the glamour of the preview.

"Since this year is, after all, the Diamond Jubilee of the Academy Awards, we would expect to see major statement pieces. Whether intricate necklaces, big and beautiful important stones, or the play between clean design and fancy shaped diamonds and briolette drops, diamonds will play a central role on the red carpet," said Sally Morrison, Director of the Diamond Information Center.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2002 will be presented on March 23, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland® and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PST with a half-hour arrival segment