Chicago designers participate in Oscars gown-designing competition
Fri. February 18, 2011 6:56 PM by Jay Shaff
borris j. powell
photo credit // borrispowell.com
Borris J. Powell creates original gown inspired by the film "Black Swan"
Chicago, IL -
The Oscars is conducting a dress-designing contest, and three fashion designers are representing Chicago. Miriam Cecilia Carlson, James De Colon and Borris Powell are all participants in Oscars Designer Challenge 2011.
The trio are among nine up-and-coming designers vying to have their original gown showcased on the red carpet, Sunday, Feb. 27. The winner will be chosen in an online poll at Oscar.com through Feb. 21 and announced during the Oscars Pre Show on Feb 27.
"I was a suggestion for this prestigious competition by the Culture Tourism of Chicago. I feel like the luckiest person alive," Powell told GoPride.com. "This is a dream come true for me. I've had many dreams of this moment. I'm just so happy to be representing this amazing city."
A passionate Chicago-based designer and popular member of the LGBT community, Powell was born in Alabama and moved to the Windy City in 1997 to follow his dreams. Now the designer's career is skyrocketing.
Powell said his entry, which is a asymmetrical satin dress decorated with 25 hand-stitched feather pinwheels, was inspired by the Oscar-nominated film Black Swan.
"I want to thank everyone for their love, support, and belief", Powell said. "Keep voting until the 21st for me, please!"
To view the original dresses in competition and vote go to oscar.go.com/award-show/designer-challenge.
More about Borris and his work can be seen at www.borrispowell.com.
The 83rd annual Academy Awards will be presented at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles and broadcast on ABC.
The trio are among nine up-and-coming designers vying to have their original gown showcased on the red carpet, Sunday, Feb. 27. The winner will be chosen in an online poll at Oscar.com through Feb. 21 and announced during the Oscars Pre Show on Feb 27.
"I was a suggestion for this prestigious competition by the Culture Tourism of Chicago. I feel like the luckiest person alive," Powell told GoPride.com. "This is a dream come true for me. I've had many dreams of this moment. I'm just so happy to be representing this amazing city."
A passionate Chicago-based designer and popular member of the LGBT community, Powell was born in Alabama and moved to the Windy City in 1997 to follow his dreams. Now the designer's career is skyrocketing.
Powell said his entry, which is a asymmetrical satin dress decorated with 25 hand-stitched feather pinwheels, was inspired by the Oscar-nominated film Black Swan.
"I want to thank everyone for their love, support, and belief", Powell said. "Keep voting until the 21st for me, please!"
To view the original dresses in competition and vote go to oscar.go.com/award-show/designer-challenge.
More about Borris and his work can be seen at www.borrispowell.com.
The 83rd annual Academy Awards will be presented at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles and broadcast on ABC.