Introducing Stylista
Yes, it's a transparent attempt at re-imagining the hit movie The Devil Wears Prada into a reality competition, but Stylista actually works! Elle magazine may not match the reputation of Vogue and fashion news director Anne Slowey is no Anna Wintour, or Meryl Streep for that matter, but the show builds upon the strengths of reality programming’s success stories. It's part The Real World (posh digs with minimal privacy – check), part The Apprentice (team challenges and mock boardroom scene – check) and part America’s Next Top Model (industry experts throwing around fashion vocabulary terms unidentifiable to the average Target shopper – check).
Here's the drill: 11 contestants compete for the chance at a one-year junior editor gig at Elle, a New York apartment for the duration of the position and a one-year clothing allowance from H&M. The first task involves fetching Ms. Slowey’s breakfast, making it clear that working in the fashion industry isn’t all about sample sales, but the second assignment inches closer to actual editorial decision-making. Our young, frenzied contestants are separated into three teams and given the run of H&M to shop (hey, can we sign up for this job?) and choose three outfits to wear on display at a fashion show in front of Slowey and Elle staffers. Next, the teams must create a mock contributor page for the mag showcasing the mini-runway’s best. Sounds pretty easy, right? Remember, there’s no I in team and a few of our 11 new friends may need a refresher course in lessons first introduced in kindergarten.
So, let’s meet the contestants:
Cologne, 22: Blonde bombshell and UC Berkeley graduate. A California dream if we ever saw one.
William, 26: Schooled in London with the accent to prove it. Shares a look on par with the cronies in “A Clockwork Orange.”
Jason, 25: Strong and silent type, this fella remains a bit of a mystery, but rocks out the one-handed Michael Jackson glove…ouch!
Kate, 22: Forget bootylicious, this former law student’s junk is all in her chest and she isn’t afraid to flaunt it – too bad Joe Zee, Elle’s creative director, disapproves. Watch out – this one likes to whine…a lot.
Devin, 19: Sweet, wide-eyed NYU student.
Johanna, 28: The oldest of the bunch, she gave up her job as a military analyst to work for free. We’re sure her mother is lamenting the loss of her daughter’s stable lifestyle and, more importantly, health insurance.
Danielle, 22: Unlike the other girls on the show, this one doesn’t fit the stereotypical mold. She’s not fashion-model thin, which will undoubtedly move her storyline forward. So far, everyone is minding their manners, but with this catty bunch it’s only a matter of time before someone throws the “f-word” around.
Megan, 22: There’s only one word to describe this independently wealthy fashion boutique owner from Colorado and we’re not sure we can print it in this forum. One thing’s for certain, we’re going to love to hate her.
DyShaun, 24: Megan’s flamboyant partner-in-crime. He’s unafraid to use other housemates as proverbial “punching bags,” so this one is going to make life miserable for poor Kate...and anyone else getting in the way.
Ashlie, 22: Sweet, sassy and so far the episode’s clear winner.
Arnaldo, 23: What’s there to say? Arnaldo, we barely knew ye before getting kicked off the show for not possessing the…er, guts to stand up to Megan.
We can’t wait to see how these conflicting personalities will work and live together. What did you think? And how long do you think before producer Tyra Banks makes an appearance?