Reese Witherspoon and Lena Dunham promote female-focused red carpet campaign

Actresses Reese Witherspoon and Lena Dunham launched an empowerment campaign ahead of the Academy Awards on Sunday (22Feb15), urging reporters to ask female stars about more than what they are wearing.

Just hours before arriving at the ceremony in Los Angeles, Oscar nominee Witherspoon took to her Instagram.com account to promote the #Askhermore drive, which aims to get women talking about more than just clothes.

Witherspoon wrote, "Love this movement #Askhermore... Have you heard of it? It's meant to inspire reporters to ask creative questions on the red carpet. I love the Oscars and fashion like many of you - & am excited to share #whoamiwearing later tonight.

"But I'd also love to answer some of these qs (questions).... and hear your suggestions?! There are so many amazing, talented nominees this year...! Let's hear their stories! spread the word."

Girls star/creator Dunham added her own suggestion and wrote on Twitter.com, "Ask her about the causes she supports, not her support garments", while Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes added, "Stop asking women questions about what they wear to cover the containers they carry their brains around in."

Witherspoon was nominated for the Best Actress prize for her role in Wild, but lost out to Julianne Moore.