Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer and Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer Pharrell Williams will serve as music consultants for the 84th Academy Awards, telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer announced. This will be the first time the composers have worked on the Oscar show.

“Hans is one of the most accomplished and creative film composers of our time, and Pharrell is a phenomenal songwriter with an amazing list of credits,” said Grazer and Mischer. “This is an exciting and prestigious collaboration that promises to take the audience on a musical journey.”

“It is a great privilege to serve the Academy in this role and to help celebrate and honor this year’s incredible artistry,” stated Zimmer. ”I am honored to work with my mentor and teacher, Hans Zimmer and I have wanted to collaborate with Brian Grazer on something for years,” said Williams. “I cannot believe I will be joining them and their teams on the most prestigious show of the year, the Academy Awards.”

Zimmer won an Oscar in 1994 for Original Score for “The Lion King” and has received eight additional nominations for Original Score. He has earned 10 Grammy nominations and won four.

Williams is a prolific producer-singer-songwriter who has also written for feature films. He has been nominated for 10 Grammy Awards and has won three. Williams’ songs have appeared on the soundtracks of such films as “Any Given Sunday,” “Kiss of the Dragon,” “Zoolander,” and “Knocked Up.” He wrote the original song score for “Despicable Me.”

Other news about the biggest night for Hollywood – Denny Clairmont, John Hora, Bob Lambert and Milt Shefter have accepted invitations to join the Science and Technology Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, bringing the Council’s 2011–2012 membership roster to 24.

Clairmont, one of the industry’s premier motion picture camera technologists, co-founded Clairmont Camera, a camera rental company that has grown into one of the largest in the world. In 2010 he received the John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation for “outstanding service and dedication in upholding the high standards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.”

A member of the Academy’s Scientific and Technical Awards Committee since 1993, Clairmont also has served for several years on numerous subcommittees. He has been an Academy member since 2002. Hora has been a member of the Academy’s Cinematographers Branch since 1986.

As a senior executive of The Walt Disney Company for more than 20 years, Lambert has been a leader in the transition to digital technologies in film, television, gaming, social media and emerging consumer media. He initiated the company’s successful collaboration with Pixar and oversaw the development of new digital production processes such as the “CAPS” system for feature animation, which was recognized with a Scientific and Engineering Award in 1991. Lambert has been an Academy member since 1999.

Shefter, a film preservationist and president of Miljoy Enterprises, is best known for the creation, design and management of the extensive Paramount Pictures Asset Protection Program, including construction of state-of-the-art archival facilities worldwide. He was the project lead for the Academy reports The Digital Dilemma and the upcoming Digital Dilemma 2, due out next month. He has been an Academy member since 1989.

Established in 2003 by the Academy’s Board of Governors, the Science and Technology Council provides a forum for the exchange of information, promotes cooperation among diverse technological interests within the industry, sponsors publications, fosters educational activities and preserves the history of science and technology of motion pictures.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

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The third annual Fashion’s Night Out took place on Thursday, September 8 in New York City. The evening brought jam packed fashion events to retail locations all around Manhattan. 2011’s Fashion Night Out was bigger than previous years, making it a celebrated highlight for the fashion industry.

More than 1000 stores around New York City participated in Fashion’s Night Out, which kicked off the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. Not only was New York City a participant, but so were over 250 other cities across the United States. Created by Vogue’s editor Anna Wintour, Fashion’s Night Out has become an international sensation with countries around the world partaking in the event as well.

Retailers all across New York City stayed open later than usual for fashionistas to enjoy extended hours of shopping. Special events were seen throughout Manhattan. Celebrity appearances were a main highlight of the event. Located in the Meatpacking District, the grand opening of a new Intermix store welcomed Bravo’s reality TV star Rachel Zoe.

 The fashion stylist visited the boutique store to celebrate its opening. Those who wanted to shop in the famous Billionaire Boys Club on West Broadway were able to catch a glimpse of musically talented Pharrell Williams. The popular musician made an appearance at the store by working behind the cash register.

Daniel Radcliffe, widely known for his performance as Harry Potter in the movie series, arrived at Jeffrey New York for a guest appearance and had a meet and greet with people shopping in the store.

If Daniel Radcliffe wasn’t enough to entertain teeny boppers, throngs of excited teenagers gathered at Dolce & Gabbana to see international pop sensation Justin Bieber as he was also in attendance for Fashion’s Night Out.

Musical performances from the world’s most talented singers were also a large part of the evening. British singer Estelle performed at Diane von Furstenburg, while Queens rapper Nicki Minaj, a fashionistas herself, attended the launching of Yves Saint Lauren’s new Cabas Chyc handbag.

Lovers of the Jonas Brother’s lined up at Saks Fifth Avenue as musician Joe Jonas attended an event at the large New York City store. Not far from Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s on 34^th Street welcomed Kelly Rowland, who sang some of her solo songs.

For those who wanted to see hip hop superstar Drake, he was at Versace’s boutique on 5^th Avenue, mixing behind the DJ booth, giving shoppers energizing music as they browed through the store. Musicians were spread out across Manhattan for the special fashion occasion and made a strong presence during Fashion’s Night Out.

Along with a strong celebrity presence throughout the evening, retailers across the city also hosted unique and entertaining special events. Magnolia Bakery, famously introduced by the fashion forward HBO series “Sex and the City” made specialty fashion cupcakes for the occasion. Cupcakes were decorated with stylish purses and shoes.

All the money raised from the sales of these cupcakes was sent directly to New York City AIDs Fund in the Community Trust. The downtown location of Bloomingdale’s had a performance by Alexa Ray Joel, the daughter of Billy Joel, as well as an opportunity to personalize underwear with rhinestones.

Fashion’s Night Out was a great alternative for fashion lovers across New York City who wanted to experience the events and excitement of Fashion Week.

Although attending fashion shows at the annual Fashion Week requires tickets, Fashion’s Night Out gave everyone a chance to catch a glimpse of their favorite celebrities, sample finger foods, and sip on drinks as retailers across the city provided upbeat music, performances, and a trendy atmosphere to enjoy fashion.

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