A "Fashion Show" you can participate

Hosts and Judges of "The Fashion Show": Kelly Rowland, Isaac Mizrahi, and Fern Malis

By Laura Medina

Somewhere between "Project Runway" and "American Idol," Bravo's last minute replacement for "Project Runway" (which switched to Lifetime and moved from New York to Los Angeles), "The Fashion Show" still retains the basic concept of designers competiting in numerous tasks and markets under the stress of a impending deadline.

Designers still come from all over the United States.

However, this crop of designers have notability they have built over the years.

In fact, three of the fifteen contestants are prominent Los Angeles designers who specialized in the fields of fashion. Accounting for one-fifth of the group, the City of Angels have a strong contingent.

Representing what Hollywood is getting known for, the dapper Goth, Jonny Day of Elmer Ave. is the spokeman of the edgy but elegant street skater punk who appreciates the finer things in life with pedigree-as in bespoken tailored blazers, vests, and button-shirts in lush fabrics with gentleman details. Think of the Hollywood Rock Star moonlighting as a centuries-old but very sexy vampire. The edgy Debonair Punk Aristocrat.

If Jonny Day is the gentleman rocker then women's haute couture designer, Merlin Castell, honors the past and the history of fashion.

With a flair of the dramatic, Mr. Castell resuscitates garments from the distant past then reintreprets them in cutting-edge fabric technology. Think of dreamy Grecian gowns in lyocell and sweat-evaporating Tencel.

The cast of designers-slash-contestants

Rounding out this Los Angeles trio is the functional but no less boring, underwear designer, Andrew Christian.

Thanks to his innovative and comfortable briefs and panties that lift and separate for both women (his WonderWare) and men (Andrew Christian), Mr. Christian has steadily built a loyal fan following since he started twelve years ago.

By partcipating in "The Fashion Show," he wants to use this moment as platform to show he can make a successful transition from men's underwear to mainstream ready-to-wear for women.

Even the general idea is the same as "Project Runway," "The Fashion Show" has its own unique traits.

The contestants have a longer and deeper reputation in their respected towns and fashion niches.

The show will be a real "show." Not an isolated viewing among judges but a full participating audience of real people who will judge who is the best in the end.

Actually, it is much closer to Bravo's hit, "Top Chef." Each episode will start with a mini-challenge set by Harper's Baazar Special Projects Director, Laura Brown.

Instead of Elle Magazine, Harper's Baazar is the show's partner.

Bravo also up the ante in the prizes. Gone are the car and a spread in Elle Magazine. In are a clothing line to be sold in a major retail market and a $125,000 cash prize.

Instead of a few selected industry insider judges, it is the audience-and you, the American viewer, who will pick the winner of the ultimate fashion show.

Now, tune in this Thursday, May 7th at 10pm, to get your feet running in who's going to win "The Fashion Show."