Bravo Retools <em>The Fashion Show</em>, Adds Iman as Judge

Bravo's The Fashion Show is back. The second season, which premieres tomorrow night, aims to further differentiate the reality competition series from Project Runway and move it closer to Survivor territory, but without the bandannas and rice hoarding (or at least much less of it). Twelve designer contestants from around the country are divided into two teams that battle it out weekly—not only to create cohesive collections but also to produce live fashion shows in which to best exhibit them. In store for the designer of the "ultimate collection" of the show's new subtitle is a feature in Harper's Bazaar (which has lately dabbled in Jersey Shore makeovers and odd Barbra Streisand-themed editorials) and $125,000. This season's competitors include Calvin Tran (we hear he emerges immediately as a troublemaker), who operates three boutiques and has dressed the likes of Drew Barrymore, and best friends Cindy Ayvar and Golnessa Farmanara, the designers behind the Goci label. They'll be joined by designer and fashion photographer Mike Vensel, glam-loving Houston native Cesar Galindo, and recent FIDM grad Dominique Pearl David, the youngest of the dozen at 21. "I think that the level of talent for the contestants has really risen sort of exponentially," said returning Fashion Show host and judge Isaac Mizrahi in a recent call with reporters and editors. "They are, let’s say, temperamental and interesting in their interaction because they’re more passionate about clothes." And speaking of temperamental and interesting, fashion icon Iman has joined The Fashion Show judging panel, along with Laura Brown of Bazaar. Mizrahi and Iman are also among the show's executive producers. "Season two is much-watch TV simply because you have her," said Mizrahi of the veteran model and entrepreneur. "I mean, just to figure out exactly what she’s saying, because half of the time you can't understand it, and I’m sure there’re going to be subtitles...Just that alone is like fabulous." All joking aside, Mizrahi praised his co-host for her ability to gauge the response of the models, guest judges, and studio audience for the episode-culminating fashion shows. "Iman is a great barometer of what is happening in the room," he noted. "She's extremely objective." Our fingers are crossed for more of the impeccably styled imperiousness featured in Bravo's ad for the show: "This is a fashion emergency," proclaims a runway-ready Iman. "And it needs an evacuation!" Meanwhile, Iman is enthuasiatic about the show's fresh take on a now familiar formula. "When you have individual designers creating individual looks for a challenge, you really don’t see a fashion show," she said on the media call. "So the element of creating something that’s unique, different than what has ever been put on TV when it comes to fashion, was very important for both Isaac and I." She also emphasized that the show's retooled concept, which she and Mizrahi helped to shape, was intended to put the focus more on design talent and approximating the challenges faced by a real-world design company and less on "the bitchiness that goes on backstage." And it was no easy task. "What really surprised me is the long hours," said Iman. "I have never worked this hard in my life. It was hard, long, long, long hours."

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Bravo Retools The Fashion Show, Adds Iman as Judge

Stephanie Murg

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Stephanie Murg