For many audiences, unscripted t.v. has become the norm for at-home viewing.

Be it a reality programme, which follows the lives of “celebrity” families,

or competitive shows, which pit contestants against each other

based on talent or brawn, and sometimes it seems a combination of both-

unscripted television shows have become standard.

 

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Whatever the format, one feature seems key for

garnering high ratings: the verbal battles.

It appears that arguing between participants

is an essential for viewing pleasure.

Ratings seem to indicate as much,

especially given that shows with a healthy

dose of squabbling reign supreme.

Fair enough.  Who doesn’t like a bit of ‘drama’?

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There are several unscripted shows,

which are based on a fashion industry theme.

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A few that have been popular are:

– The Next Top Model programmes (U.S. and International series)

The original U.S. show, now in its 21st season,

was the brainchild of ex-model Tyra Banks.

The aim of the programme is to discover a future modelling talent.

Model hopefuls are judged/eliminated each week on the results of

photo shoots.  The winner receives a modelling contract.

Oh, and the models all live together,

a perfect breeding ground for many

off runway ‘battles of the beautiful.’

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(image from hulu.com):

America’s Nest Top Model

current season-  Cycle 21

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– Styled to Rock (U.K. and U.S. series)

The U.K. series featured young design talents battling

each week for the prize of creating a look for a prominent

music industry performer.  R & B/ pop  songstress Rihanna

was involved with the U.K. programme as executive producer

and British fashion designer Henry Holland was one of the judges

With critiques which were sometimes harsh,

dreams were crushed and made along the way to dressing a rock star.

Although the U.K. series was short-lived, viewers did gain insight into

the unique design/clothing requirements of a stage performer.

 

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(image from company.co.uk):

Judges from Styled to Rock

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– Project Runway programmes (U.S. and International series)

The orignal U.S. series, is hosted by model Heidi Klum

and is in its 13th year on air.

Fashion educator and consultant, Tim Gunn serves as mentor

to a group of 16 designers who are given, seemingly impossible,

design challenges.  Time management, design talent and sewing skills

are key elements to securing the prize:  to show at New York Fashion Week

and receive a monetary award to launch a label.

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(image from pop-break.com):

Project Runway

current season, Cycle 13

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The  Project Runway series have been so successful, that its producers

have created a new ‘baby’ to join the Project Runway show family.

Project Runway Threads, which premiered in the U.S. on 23 October 2014

features not adult contestants,

but tweenies (pre-teens) and teen fashion designers.

The participants are aged between 8 and 16.

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Might this be taking things too far?

Are participants this young capable of coping with the

stress of the challenges,

severity of critiques and

the key element on which unscripted t.v. thrives:

contestant squabbling?

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(from hollywoodmomblog.com):

Project Runway Threads:

casting call advertisement

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The judging panel on Project Runway Threads includes fashion designer

Christian Siriano (himself a Project Runway winner-  Season 4),

Seventeen Magazine’s Fashion Director Gina Kelly,

Accessories Editor Jasmine Snow, and YouTube style expert Ingrid Nilsen

Vanessa Simmons, herself a reality t.v. alumna (Run’s House) hosts the show.

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(image from entertainment weekly):

Judging panel of Project Runway Threads

host, Vanessa Simmons (r)

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Each week, three new contestant will present two outfits:

one completed at home and the other a set challenge

to be completed on air.  Each contestant brings a supportive adult along

to offer encouragement and ideas.

Cue the stage mums and dads!

I suppose most of the verbal take downs will probably be between the parents.

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(image from zap2it.com):

Contestants and their parents at judging

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The prize:  $25,000 USD and a scholarship to the Fashion Institute of Design &

Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles, California (USA).

 

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Yet watching tweenie/teen fashion design-makers at work may be

of some measure of viewing interest.

 

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(image from tvweekly.com):

Sewing skills

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(image from realityrewind.com):

Model fittings

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(image from threadsmagazine.com):

At panel

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Though as the season progresses, can all the adults involved

be trusted to remain ever mindful of

the delicate ages and impressionable minds of the contestants?

We’ll have to wait and see.

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(image from radioasiauae.com):

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Starting Thursday, October 30

Project Runway: Threads

moves to its regular time slot of 10 pm ET/PT on Lifetime TV

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