OSCAR® FASHION SHOW A GLIMMER OF THINGS TO COME Big and bold fashions were on display today at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills as the creative team behind the 68th Academy Awards® telecast gave the public a "sneak preview" of what's in store for Oscar NightTM at the annual Oscar Fashion Show. "Oscar Night is not the night to dress down, for women or men," Academy Awards Show Fashion Coordinator Fred Hayman told the gathering, "It is a night for entrance-making dresses, glamorous gowns, and creative couture." Glamour was in full force as more than 30 models took to the runway in exclusive fashions and jewels made available to this year's Oscar nominees and presenters. An eclectic mix of fashion creations by many of the world's top designers was complemented by more than $50 million in jewels from the House of Harry Winston, stunning hairstyling by beauty consultant Christophe, dramatic music and lighting, and choreographer Toni Basil's salsa, hip-hop and tap dance numbers, creating an event unlike any previous Oscar Fashion Show. "The Oscar telecast reaches more than a billion fans who love the glamour and fantasy of film," said Hayman, Fashion Coordinator for the eighth straight year, "and it is my job to make the Oscar ceremony the best-looking fashion show on television." Among the designers represented were Pamela Barrish, Christian Dior, Gianfranco Ferre, Carolina Herrera, Nolan Miller, Issey Miyake, Todd Oldham, Paco Rabanne and Vera Wang. The House of Harry Winston's jewelry designs have added sparkle to Oscar ceremonies throughout the years. "There's been a big push back to fashion and glamour this year," Winston jeweler Laurence Karashes explained. "Big jewels are back, and that, for us, is very exciting. All presenters and nominees receive letters, inviting them to call and make appointments to come in and choose their jewels. It's kind of like Ravel's Bolero - it gets crazier and crazier as we get closer to Oscar Night. [Oscar host] Whoopi Goldberg has already come in, and is going to wear a fabulous necklace. She looks great in it." Hair and beauty consultant Christophe echoed the "bigger is better" theme. "This year, the influence of the Sixties is going to be most evident," he said, "The wonderful old Barbra Streisand and Audrey Hepburn styles. Big hair. It will be fabulous. Our salon has already scheduled 300 clients for the day of the Awards." "The many firsts you saw here today are just a sneak preview of what you're going to see on the Oscars," Oscar telecast producer Quincy Jones told the Oscar Fashion Show crowd. "It too will be a night of many firsts. The 68th Academy Awards team has responded to [telecast producer] David Salzman's and my dreams of a very fantastic and unique presentation. The evening's stars will still be the winners, but just wait until you see what else happens. It will be a night of fun and surprises, we promise you. This event begins the official countdown to the motion picture industry's most glamorous evening, the crown jewel of the awards shows, the Oscars."