Ghanaian designer to dress A-list actor at 2013 Oscars after winning Red Carpet Green Dress contest

You may have not heard the name Michael Badger yet – but you will soon as the 20-year-old budding designer is the official winner of the Red Carpet Green Dress contest. ELLE.com has also learned that he is the first male victor, and his sustainable sketch was unanimously chosen by all four judges (Suzy Amis Cameron, Zem Joaquin, Lewis Perkins, and Vivienne Westwood).

Westwood will also mentor Badger as he turns his idea into a gown that will be worn by an A-lister at 85th Academy Awards show in February (last year’s celebrity was Missi Pyle). The lucky lad will be flown to London to work with Westwood’s couturiers.


Badger stood out by using an old recycled sketchbook as a process journal and submitting his design on 100-percent hemp watercolor paper.


His dress is inspired by a volcano and how lava flows. The young creative was born in Ghana and is currently working toward a B.F.A. in fashion design at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta, Georgia.

“This is such an enormous opportunity,” enthused Badger. “I’m thrilled to have the chance to dispel the idea that one must sacrifice glamour and fantasy in order to be eco-friendly, and the idea of working with the incredible icon of fashion design that is Vivienne Westwood is too much. The thought of a dress that once only existed in my head being worn at the Oscars is just mind-blowing.”


We’re looking forward to seeing his eco-friendly vision come to life during the 2013 Oscars.