It's a job that would turn any budding fashion designer green with envy.

The wife of Oscar-nominated director James Cameron will attend the 82nd Academy Awards in a student-designed evening gown which won her "Red Carpet Green Dress" contest.

"It's a huge fashion faux pas to wear a dress twice - but it's the epitome of recycling," says Suzy Amis Cameron. "I'm making a very strong statement."

The dress - to be unveiled first at the annual Global Green pre-Oscar party hosted by the Camerons - won a global competition launched in December to benefit MUSE Elementary, a non-profit school in California which Amis Cameron co-founded.

The "flowing" evening gown features peace silk, which allows silk works to complete their life cycle rather than being boiled, with bits of second-hand clothing as accents.

"The goal is to bring awareness to sustainable clothing," says Amis Cameron of the ensemble designed for the world's most watched awards showby Jillian Granz, a 21-year-old student of Michigan State University.

It is being crafted by Oscar-winning costume designer Deborah Scott, who also behind the costumes for Titanic and Avatar.

James Cameron is nominated this year for best director, while his blockbuster film Avatar is nominated for best picture. It's the highest grossing film of all time.

The 82nd annual Oscars will be broadcast live on March 7.