Oscar.com Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress-Episode 5 and 6!

EPISODE 5

EPISODE 6

As I say in the webisodes..."The votes have been tabulated and the results are in!" Check out the final two episodes of Behind the Dress where we find out which designer wins and which model is chosen to grace the Oscar Stage announced LIVE by Tim Gunn!!

All the dresses were gorgeous but the winning design and model really capture the essence of the grand event. In Episode 6, check out exclusive backstage coverage with interviews of the very excited winning model and designer.

I thought last nights Academy Awards was great and I, of course, have my opinions on all the gowns! But more on that later...

I had such a blast hosting this official Oscar Challenge and was honored to be part of such a important night in Hollywood. You can check out all the action from yesterdays festivities with exclusive coverage on Oscar.com including all the episodes of Behind the Dress.

And The Winner Is.....The Oscars Design Trophy Goes to...

I just want to congratulate the Winner of Oscars Designer Challenge: Chicago designer Sam Kori George and his gorgeous model, Lauren Gish. It was definitely one of my favorite of all the seven designs in contention. It just "screamed" Oscars Trophy Girl/1950's Hollywood Actress.

Model Lauren Gish in Sam Kori George's winning gown

His gown was a stunning technical feat of dressmaking featuring yards and yards of silk, cut on the bias , pleated and draped to envelop the model's body perfectly. I even noticed that there were no side seams to the gown. I was also told (by the designer himself) that the bodice had about twenty coiled boning sewn inside the gown so there was no chance of the strapless gown slipping down. This also made sure to create that defined hourglass figure.
Lauren looked very "Old School Hollywood Glamour" on stage at the Academy Awards as she escorted the actors and actresses when they received their trophies and awards. Congratulations to both!

Oscar.com Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress-Episode 4!

Ready Designers? Ready Models? It's time to hit The Oscars Red Carpet! Epidose 4 of Oscars Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress

Nick Behind The Scenes:

Models Getting Ready: Nick Verreos interviews models as they get ready for their "close-up"

We are almost down to the wire--the Oscars Red Carpet wire, that is. Gowns have been designed, the designers have been chosen, they have picked their models and subsequently had their fittings, and Oscars Day is (almost) upon us...

Make-Up Chairs: A view from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Theater stage

First, the Designers and their gowns were "debuted" to the international press at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences headquarters on Wilshire Blvd. in Beverly Hills. Everyone was there, from Entertainment Tonight to E! News and anybody in between with an interest in seeing who the Designers were that were hand-picked to take up the task of designing a gown for the Oscars Escort/Trophy Model.
Model Pose: Nick Verreos poses with model Gerren Taylor before she puts on her gown

I was allowed exclusive access backstage as the models were getting ready and filmed it all for Oscar.com and you will finally get to see it here in the fourth installment of the Oscars Designer Challenge: Behind The Dress. First, I met the hand-picked models as they were getting their hair and make-up done.
Glamour Board: Make-Up and Hair Story Board for Oscars Designer Challenge

The theme was "1950's Glamour, Rita Hayworth meets Eva Gardner". No one would have realized it was 9 AM when the fabulous Dior make-up artists and hair experts transformed the models as if they were going to the Oscars--at 8 PM!!
Michelle Obama at the Oscars: Chicago Designer Maria Pinto with her model, Gerren Taylor

Then, the models were whisked into their gowns and diamonds and off for the big press reveal!
Watch the exclusive interviews with all the designers, including Michelle Obama's favorite designer, Chicago native Maria Pinto, as well as establised NY designer Robert Rodriguez, LA-based designer Alan Del Rosario, Chicago-based designer Sam Kori George and NY theater-costume designer Nicolas Putvinski, among others.
Designer Alan Del Rosario with his model, about to make their "debut"

Designer Sam Kori George with his beautiful model, Lauren Gish, posing before their "red carpet" press moment

Good Luck to all of them! Tune in tomorrow Sunday to the Oscars Live, when the winning "team" is announced!