A little less the Devil Wears Prada

09Nov08

As someone who’s both a reality t.v. junkie and obsessed with fashion/modeling, I figured America’ s Next Top Model would be all I need to satisfy my fix. Afterall, I’ve been loyal to it for all the cycles..ok well most considering I think the show (as beloved as it is) should soon come to an end. But even me, someone who is not afraid to give even the sleaziest of sleaze bucket reality shows a chance (Rock of Love Charm School, anyone?) couldn’t stomach what is shown on Wednesday nights after ANTM. The monstrosity I refer to is Stylista. The spawn of creators Tyra Banks and Ken Mok, Stylista shows 11 hopefuls vying to get their feet through the doors of Elle magazine to become junior editors  ( and in addition they also get a posh apartment in Manhattan for the length of their contract and a one-year clothing allowance to H&M which I would DIE for but i digress…) Heading the show is Anne Slowey, Elle Fashion News Director along with her sidekick, er, judge Joe Zee, Elle’s Creative Director. They usually are accompanied by a third judge but that changes weekly. The idea sounds nice but the execution, not so much. For starters, I thought the show would actually be about people trying to become stylists! Instead, each challenge is the contestants getting into groups of three to complete an editorial task where they make layouts to test if they really fit into the ELLE mold. Oh, and these lovely challenges are also accompanied by assistant tasks. So, it wouldn’t seem half bad but Slowey I cant’t take seriously. A) the pompous wanna-be British accent has got to go! She sounds like she’s trying to be a bitch– Very Miranda Priestly I must say. And while the contestants aren’t half-bad, you can’t help but wonder why? My first time watching the show I tuned into the whole house ganging up on Kate, a cleavage-baring former law student who has become the scapegoat. At first, I thought they were being a little harsh, but after further watching I think a 5- year old could do better than her. Anyway, I have quickly become a fan of Ashlie. She’s smart, has a great work ethic and has already become a great enemy of Megan, a boutique owner. As with all reality t.v. shows there must be somebody conniving because they feel threatened and of course, the only way they’ll win is by getting rid of the competition (i.e. Megan hating Ashlie.) This little feud keeps me interested, not to mention some of their challenges I’ve done before in journalism courses and working in retail. Yes, I feel a slight connection to this fashion world which is probably the other reason I don’t turn the channel after ANTM is over. But if I were to miss an episode, you wouldn’t find me crying about it. I read the Devil Wears Prada and saw the less than fabulous movie and this show strives to be just like it. I don’t know, I guess I just find it a bit exaggerated. Sure there are real emotions, these are people’s fates we’re talking about here, but when you have an editor, ahem, I mean creative director whose nose is so far stuck up in the air, I can’t help but gag.

Oh well, perhaps I’m just mad I don’t have my own reality show. Nonetheless, I probably will continue to watch it (like i said REALITY T.V. JUNKIE) at least until Ashlie gets booted off. After that, it’s goodbye Stylista, hello House of Payne!

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Tags: Elle, fashion, modeling, reality t.v., television