Calling all fashionistas: It’s sew time!
Bravo! returns to the world of fashion world with its latest smash hit, The Fashion Show which premiers tonight, 10 p.m. ET. Fifteen professional young designers will compete to market and sell their own lines. But, in a twist, members of the studio audience vote each week, determining who will continue on in the competition, following a runway show where someone will be eliminated. And the ultimate winner will be determined by home audiences after a live season finale. Each week the designers will be put to the test and will have to face off in two challenges – the Harper's Bazaar Mini Challenge, judged by the magazine's Special Projects Director Laura Brown, and the elimination challenge which will feature a specific task –- and a guest judge. (Celebrity judges include designers Charlotte Ronson, Elie Tahari and Vivienne Tam). In the end, America will choose which contestant will have a clothing line available for retail and win the $125,000 prize.
Internationally acclaimed designer Isaac Mizrahi shares hosting duties with four-time Grammy Award-winning performer and actress Kelly Rowland. Mizrahi and Rowland will also serve as judges alongside fashion luminary and Senior Vice President of IMG Fashion, Fern Mallis. “I think what makes The Fashion Show so unique is that it’s the people’s decision, and not only that but it’s a real show for real people,” Kelly Rowland, commented.
Mallis is the creator of New York Fashion Week and a familiar figure to Project Runway viewers. She shares “This is coming from the consumer’s point of view — what they like, how it fits, how creative it is.” “The real truth is that no matter how fabulous any fashion show is, it doesn’t matter if people don’t wear and buy the clothes. Working with a cast of 15 up and coming designers on creating marketable and relatable designs was an eye-opener, and, at times, trying challenge for the judges”.
“I learned a great deal from hearing what the public had to say about clothes,” Mizrahi says. “Sometimes Kelly, Fern and I would say, ‘Oh, this is going to be in the Top 2′ – and then we’d be shocked when it wasn’t.” “One of the most difficult parts for me [is] when you’re standing in a room with designers who are clearly making mistakes and there’s nothing you’re allowed to say until the end,” Mizrahi continues. “The whole live audience part of it, I feel like made it so dramatic,” Mizrahi says. “There was Kelly reading things to these contestants, like ‘60% of the audience thinks that your dress looks like the inside of a wig.’” “The drama in the air — that was thick!”
Don’t miss the premiere on Bravo! tonight May 7, 2009 at 10 p.m.