Stylista

Network: The CW
Episodes: Nine (hour)
Seasons: One

TV show dates: October 22, 2008 — December 17, 2008
Series status: Cancelled/ended

Performers include: Anne Slowey, Kate Lanphear, and Joe Zee.

TV show description:
Developed by the creators of Project Runway and America’s Next Top Model, this is essentially a reality TV version of The Devil Wears Prada and Ugly Betty.

Anne Slowey, Fashion News Director and Accessories Editor for Elle magazine, is both the host and the lead judge on the show. The other judges include Elle Creative Director Joe Zee and Kate Lanphear, Senior Style Editor at Elle. Under their direction, eleven aspiring fashionistas complete tasks designed to prove which is the most competent candidate for the job of Junior Editor at the magazine.

In each episode, contestants compete via two assignments. The first is performing an assistant’s task, like assembling an executive’s breakfast, preparing a super model’s hotel room, and dressing a mannequin in a certain fashion motiff. The second assignments are far tougher and requite the participants to direct photo shoots, put together, campaigns, and assemble their own editorial pages. The second set of challenges are often performed in groups.

The aspiring fashionistas work the diva mode and the competition is often catty and cutthroat. At the end of each episode, a few contestants are singled out as having performed the worst. At least one is sent home after each set of challenges.

The last person standing wins the coveted job at Elle, a paid lease on a New York City apartment, and an allowance at H&M for one year. The total winnings are worth approximately $100,000.