The costume design category is one of the most interesting at the Academy Awards. Every year the Academy's taste changes based on the popularity of the film in the precursor prizes and sometimes the prize is handed in tandem with the production design award.

The winner this year will join previous winner Catherine Martin ("The Great Gatsby"), Jacqueline Durran ("Anna Karenina"), Mark Bridges ("The Artist") and Colleen Atwood ("Alice in Wonderland"); note that three of the past four winners are nominated this year.

Colleen Atwood - "Into the Woods" - Atwood is among the most celebrated costume designers in the business and for her work on Rob Marshall's musical she received her 11th nomination. Atwood previously won three Oscars for her designs in "Chicago," "Memoirs of a Geisha" and "Alice in Wonderland." This year, her work in "Into the Woods" has been hailed for its detail and inventiveness. Atwood sites that the costumes in this film were a "Love letter to textiles, craft artists and embroiders." "Into the Woods" has not been the awards film pundits have expected but Atwood has been nominated for the BAFTA, Critics' Choice and for the Costume Designers Guild. Atwood is unlikely to win this award but it won't be her last nomination in this category.

Mark Bridges - "Inherent Vice" - For his work on Paul Thomas Anderson's latest film, Bridges received his second nomination. He previously won for his work on the Best Picture winner "The Artist." Bridges' work for "Inherent Vice" has been under the radar throughout the awards races as the film has not been the strong awards player most pundits expected. For his work on the film, Bridges looked at vintage items and handmade garments that were specific to the time period and to the character. The designer's work is the seventh collaboration with Paul Thomas Anderson and, while it is unlikely to win, it is among the most elaborate nominated this year.

Milena Canonero - "The Grand Budapest Hotel" - The Italian costume designer received her ninth nomination for the Academy Award for her work on Wes Anderson's film. Canonero previously won the award for her work on the 2006 film "Marie Antoinette" as well as the 1981 Best Picture "Chariots of Fire" and the 1975 film "Barry Lyndon." For her work on "The Grand Budapest Hotel," Canonero recalls that working with Ralph Fiennes was incredible because he is extremely detail-oriented. She also noted that Prada designed a number of costumes and props for the film. Canonero has already won a number of prizes including the critics' Choice award and is nominated for the Costume Designers Guild and the BAFTA. Canonero's film is the only Best Picture nominee in the category and given the overwhelming support for "The Grand Budapest Hotel," she can be considered the front-runner to win this category.

Jacqueline Durran - "Mr. Turner" - Durran received her fourth nomination for her work on Mike Leigh's latest film. The costume designer previously won for her work on Joe Wright's "Anna Karenina" in 2012. The nomination for "Mr. Turner" marks her first nomination for a film not directed by Joe Wright. Durran said that her work with Leigh was very different from Wright because, unlike Wright's stylish filmmaking style, Leigh emphasized that the costumes appear to be lived in and worn out. The Academy generally appreciates the lavish period costumes and this is the type of work that usually wins. However, her recent win in the category and the lack of strength the movie has had during awards season will likely hurt her chances.

Anna B. Sheppard - "Maleficent" - Sheppard received her third Academy Award nomination for her work on Disney's latest live action. Out of the five nominees, Sheppard is the only designer to have never won an Academy Award and this is her first nomination in 12 years. She was last nominated for "The Pianist" in 2002. Sheppard was not the original costume designer on the film and she only had eight weeks to prep the film. She recalls that the when she arrived on set there were no fabrics picked out and there was no work done. In another year Sheppard's work would be awarded. However, since the film only received one nomination and the designer has not won a single award this season, it is unlikely she has a chance at winning her first Academy Award.

Prediction: Milena Canonero will win her fourth Academy Award for her work on "The Grand Budapest Hotel.