Post date: Feb 22, 2011 6:37:48 PM
Fashion designers remain tight lipped about which starlets they are dressing for this year's Academy Awards.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE - MARCH 7, 2010) REUTERS - Fashionistas have spoken. Looks seen at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York have set the tone for what we will see on the red carpet at this year's Academy Awards.
However, predicting exactly what will be seen is not easy. A majority of the designers showed some variation of red in their Fall 2011 collections, which has some experts betting that will be the go-to color this year.One of the main reasons we don't know what will be seen is that red carpet fashion is a covert affair. Secrecy has long been the key behind a successful red carpet reveal. Designer Monquie Lhuiller teased Reuters when asked who we could expect in her dresses.
"No, I can't. I've been doing this long enough where I know everything is about the revelation on that day, so stayed tuned," Lhuiller said.
"I can't tell you who is going to be wearing what. I can tell you that we're working on a couple of projects," added designer Gilles Mendel of J. Mendel.
For a designer, the Oscars' red carpet can turn their obscure brand into a household name.
"All of a sudden we got a call from a celebrity and they're like, 'can we borrow your dress for the red carpet?' Now people can say Badgley Mischka because of the red carpet," said designer James Mischka of Badgley Mischka.
"It's so funny when you see someone walk across the stage and in your dress and it's extremely gratifying, it's great, it's a fun part of what we do," added James' design partner Mark Badgley.
Actress Helen Mirren wore a Badgley Mischka gown to this year's Golden Globes and last year's Oscars.
Designers Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig of Marchesa have become staples of the red carpet throughout the years. Last year Academy award winning actresses Sandra Bullock and Mo'Nique both wore Marchesa. And the duo hopes to continue to make a presence on Oscars' red carpet.
Lhuillier says having an A-lister wear your creations down a red carpet is not only exciting but also a boost to her self-esteem.
"I feel very like, honored and validated when these celebrities who have access to any brand that they want in the world to wear and when they come to me, for you know, their special moments it makes me feel really good," said the designer before her runway show.
No matter what an actor wears, Mendel describes the basic steps it takes in order to have a successful red carpet moment.
"That she looks beautiful from backside. You are constantly attacked by the photographers. And make sure nothing shows through," said Mendel.
The Academy Awards air February 27th.