Some of my favorite things to watch are the red carpet specials before most award shows. Whether it is for the Grammys, the Academy Awards or even the Teen Choice Awards, all of the celebrities in attendance are out on the red carpet.

Being someone who follows a lot of their work, I simply must watch this. Also, from a fashion perspective, awards shows are a big deal for designers. People constantly question which designer’s clothes celebrities are going to wear, and for new designers, this can be a critical time to get some recognition. As Rachel Zoe knows, who is one of the top fashion stylists to the stars, picking a dress is a very difficult process and can be very stressful for many.

Many stars looked fabulous at the Oscars this year. The red carpet styles for this award show usually stick to the color scheme of gold (to represent the awards) and red, though some do stray away from this. My favorite look this year was that of Missi Pyle, who wore a light blue dress by Vanessa Delfino. The designer was picked as a part of the Red Carpet Green Dress Challenge. Started in 2009, the contest requires a variety of new designers to create sustainable dresses made out of eco-friendly materials to showcase their talents and support a good cause.

Suzy Amis Cameron, founder of the Red Carpet Green Dress Challenge believes that the program “gives aspiring or established designers a chance to make a beautiful and sustainable gown that will be seen on the single most anticipated red carpet,” which I think is great. The Oscars are known for many types of promotions, so why not add eco-friendliness to the list? I think that the fact that many stars care shows that they are real people too. Most importantly for us, students also benefit from the Red Carpet Green Dress Challenge, which benefits both MUSE School CA and Global MUSE, non-profit organizations that provide resources, assistance for basic school operations, curriculum development and nutritious lunches for every student.

I think Pyle sums things up the best when she says that, “All the world is watching this red carpet, and as artists, I believe it is our job to show the world that we not only care about creating incredible art, but that we are mindful of the fact that, in doing so, we can make something beautiful that is also sustainable. It is an incredible honor for me to walk the most glamorous red carpet in the world in such a stunning and meaningful dress.”