24 Hour Catwalk

Posted on Dec 2, 2011 in Fashion

What hath Project Runway wrought, darlings?

Power publicist James LaForce, fashion designer Cynthia Rowley, best-selling author and fashion editor Derek Blasberg and model and television personaility Alexa Chung are the judges for the new Lifetime series, 24 Hour Catwalk.

The latest fashion reality competition is coming your way whether you’re ready for it or not:

“The fierce and competitive world of fashion gets even cattier with the premiere of the new series, 24 Hour Catwalk, beginning Thursday, January 10, 2012, at 10pm ET/PT on Lifetime. Featuring television personality and global style icon Alexa Chung, four talented designers get the chance to create their own collection for the judging eyes of industry bigwigs. But, they must do so in only 24 hours! Who will have the vision, the talent and most importantly, the endurance to make it on the runway?”

Oh dear. It seems “fashion icon” has finally become overused. Now it’s “global style icon” that’s being used to describe people who don’t deserve the term. The jury will remain out for the foreseeable future as to whether any of these people are television-ready.

And you know how we always describe Project Runway as a fashion game show? Well this really is a game show:

“Hosted by Alexa Chung, each episode of 24 Hour Catwalk gives four designers the chance to compete to create their own line…in just one day. After a first cut challenge and elimination that will test their innovation and aesthetic, the competition whittles down to two, each tasked with creating a themed collection for their own star-studded runway show. Contestants will be on pins and needles when they, along with help of 24 Hour Catwalk’s talented and opinionated sewing team, must prepare to showcase their three-piece collection to the program’s judges, including renowned designer Cynthia Rowley, New York Times best-selling author and fashion editor Derek Blasberg and power publicist James LaForce. As the clock ticks down, tensions run high as 24 Hour Catwalk tests who has the will, desire and stamina to create clothes worthy of winning a $10,000 cash prize courtesy of Cover Girl and Herbal Essences.

24 Hour Catwalk is produced by Jane Street Entertainment with Linda Lea and Donna Macletchie, and Rob Sharenow, Gena McCarthy and Colleen Conway of Lifetime executive producing.”

It’s gimmicky as hell but show us a reality competition that isn’t. Will the clothes be anything worth looking at, given the ridiculously short amount of time. Then again, there’s a sewing team involved, so that should help things. We guess it all comes down to two things: the permanent cast of judges and host and whether they can carry the show, and the designers they get to participate. We’re told that Lifetime will be announcing the designers closer to air time of each episode.

We’re not even going to pretend we’re not going to watch this, but what about y’all?

[Photo Credit: David Russell for myLifetime.com]

Tags:

http://profiles.google.com/sara.e.munoz Sara Munoz

Well, I didn’t see the words “Bunim” or “Murray” in that description, so I might give it a chance.
- http://profiles.google.com/shannonlstewart Shannon Stewart
  
  Done by the Sweet Genius production team from Food Network.:)
  - Anonymous
    
    Seriously? That was one of the worst shows that has ever been on television. Right up there with “My Mother, the Car.”
    - MilaXX
      
      I love it. My favorite part is the guys one word critiques of the food. My favorite episode is the one where the guy was like “eff the challenge”, made what he wanted and then hacked off a piece of the inspiration, this time a 100 year old bonsai & stuck it in the pie. I laughed until I had tears running down my face.
      - Anonymous
        
        SO TRUE. He’s like a Bond villain, that judge. No, like an Austin Powers villain. He’s always like, “Tart! Unexpected! Succulent! DISASTER.”
      - MilaXX
        
        YES! It’s like he has a tourettes attack every time he goes to critique. “sweet, CREAMY,succulent!
      - http://profiles.google.com/dchockeyguy Trevor Burroughs
        
        Laughing SO hard right now.
      - http://profiles.google.com/dchockeyguy Trevor Burroughs
        
        Damnit, you’re supposed to like my episode best!
  - MilaXX
    
    Now that’s some serious crack tv. If they throw twist at designers like that I may just watch for the insanity of it all.
  - Joanie Hunt
    
    It’s Chopped for designers. Works for me!
  - http://profiles.google.com/dchockeyguy Trevor Burroughs
    
    Who also do Chopped and 24 Hour Restaurant battle, which this seems based on, more so than Chopped.
- Molly OBM
  
  I did however see the words “Alexa” and “Chung” so I might not!
  - http://profiles.google.com/sara.e.munoz Sara Munoz
    
    I have no idea who she is, which is probably for the best.
- mrspeel2
  
  To come up with an entire collection in 24 hours sounds totally cray – cray, but for the very reasons you stated so eloquently Sara, I’ll definitely give it a shot too!
Sobaika Mirza

Can Lifetime just STOP IT already?
- Anonymous
  
  No, no it can’t.
Anonymous

Well, I’m at least going to pretend that I won’t watch it.
- Sobaika Mirza
  
  I know I won’t. The only thing keeping me with PR is the lingering memories of what the show used to be. Unless TLo gives it a marvelous review, I have no reason to tune it. Sounds awful.
Anonymous

I’m already tired of this. We’ll have to see.
Anonymous

“The Real Housewives of the Runway.”
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jessica-TallGirl-Freeman/1043623567 Jessica TallGirl Freeman

If she’s a global fashion icon, then I’m Marilyn Monroe. There.
- Melvis Velour
  
  word…
http://profiles.google.com/shannonlstewart Shannon Stewart

I’m gonna give it at least a couple episodes, and I’m kinda psyched for it. Here’s why: it’s TOTALLY different from PR. Bravo’s recent attempts have all been too much of the “pale imitator” variety. This, however, sounds like a very different show. They can sink or swim on their own merits rather than through comparisons.
Anonymous

Of course it’s not Bunim or Murray. With a timeline like that, would they have time for interpersonal drama and dead family members? So it might be worth watching.
Anonymous

Well this looks like the most pathetic group of “judges” ever so I’m guessing anyone with any real clout or a name passed which doesn’t bode well.
Anonymous

24 hours? I’m watching. Hopefully 1 day isn’t enough for the judges to decide that a porn star beauty queen is deserving of the win and will actually judge on the finished product.
Anonymous

My dislike of Cynthia Rowley–as a designer, I mean; I have no idea what she’s like as a person–is intense. In. TENSE! And it’s on Lifetime. And the 24-hour thing bugs me; the reduced time given the contestants on PR was one of the worst things about the change. And the press release uses the word “cattier,” along with the egregious global style icon, hereafter known as GSI.

Adding up the evidence, I will not be watching unless episode 1 gets a rave from TLo and the Minions.
Anonymous

That group hug photo already makes me want to slap all of them.

I think I will let you boys do the hard work on this. My stomach simply isn’t strong enough to sit through any more Lifetime commercials. I’ll enjoy reading your recaps, as always.
- Anonymous
  
  That arms-around shot looks so forced and uncomfortable for everyone. Couldn’t the photographer have cracked a joke or done something to make this quartet relax? Not seeing much compatibility/teamwork here…. I was quite able to crawl into bed last night with a good page-turning thriller and not think about turning on the TV at 10PM Thurs., so I can see giving this a miss, too, unless Our Boys give it an endorsement – either for genuine quality (?!?!????) or lots o’ yuks. I’m up for being amused at the end of the week….
http://profiles.google.com/misslauraschultz Laura Schultz

Meh.
taodon

So, it’s Chopped – but with fabric. Got it.
- Anonymous
  
  Exactly what I thought!
- Rand Ortega
  
  Ahhh…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1326120071 Gaby Ripoll

It’s the “Chopped” of fashion?
Stefanos Mantyla

Never heard of Alexa Chung, and concept sounds awful. No chance of me watching.
Anonymous

I had to pause at “global style icon.” Seriously?
Anonymous

I can’t. I just can’t….
Anonymous

Oh Lord, I’ll just stick to your recaps. And wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t. All-Stars is all I can take.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZBFH32YG44LIIZYLSQPMBXMYCU Sarah

I will! I will! I thank you for explaining WTF because the teases on Lifetime have been deliberately vague. I was wondering if it was just a behind-the-scenes of the fashion industry show or something, but it will be stressed out catty designers competing for prizes ! YAY!
Anonymous

I am SO TIRED of shows that emphasize no time to complete X. I want shows that actually showcase craft and talent, not just slapdash production work.
- Anonymous
  
  AMEN.
Sara__B

Alexa Chung won the “British Style Award” at the 2011 British Fashion Awards. She may not be a Global Fashion Icon, but she’s apparently a British one. Maybe we’ll learn why if this show lasts long enough. (Although I’ve seen the occasional photo of her on the Red Carpet Fashion Awards site, I still don’t understand the “fashion icon” label.)
Anonymous

i’ll wait to read your review and then decide.
http://twitter.com/thedogsmother thedogsmother

Soon time constrained challenges will be deemed as enhanced interrogation and take place at Guantanamo Bay.
Anonymous

nope, not a chance… but should the good gentlemen at t.lo international choose to writeabout it, i will of course read about it.
Hannah P

ALEXA CHUNG!!!!!!! i die. she is my personal style icon. Don’t know about globally, but for me she’s absolutely amazing.
- Ceur -
  
  She’s amazing at not eating dinner, that’s for sure. Probably breakfast as well.
- Sara__B
  
  Hannah P! Would you explain why she’s your style icon? I’ve been looking at photos of her, and I’ve decided that she probably appeals to young urban sorts who like the easy, chic way she styles runway looks — from hair to shoes — that makes them think, “I can do that! Even with my non-designer clothes.” Am I close?
oohsparkley!

It sounds horrible, but of course I’ll watch it unless it conflicts with another favorite. I miss my digital television service. Husband got fed up with cable and switched to satellite. I miss my premium programs and ability to record.
Eclectic Mayhem

Oh ffs…
MilaXX

The hell?!!! I saw the commercial for this and literally groaned. I’m not sure this will work and sadly I also know I can’t not watch.
http://twitter.com/kbshee kbshee

I’ve already started calling it 24 Hour CAKEwalk in my head.
Anonymous

OMG – I saw the post image & said “what?! John Lovitz is doing a runway reality show?! LOL
Anonymous

Oh, I’ll be watching, in the same way that you can’t look away from a really fiery trainwreck.
http://twitter.com/writecodedesign writecodedesign

Cynthia Rowley looks FIERCE. That is all.
Anonymous

“Featuring television personality and global style icon Alexa Chung…” Who the FUCK is Alexa Chung?
- Melvis Velour
  
  word…I have never heard of her…but then, I haven’t heard of 95% of the people on the gossip rags so no loss
- Anonymous
  
  Whoever she is, she needs to be fed.
http://twitter.com/MandySCG MandyJane

I don’t know if I’ll watch it. If I don’t have anything else to watch I’ll probably tune in to see what it’s all about sometime.
Anonymous

I love Chopped!
- Anonymous
  
  so do i! perhaps on this show they be cutting themselves with scissors and stabbing themselves with needles, and just putting on gloves and going right on sewing, like the chefs on chopped. watch out for those rotary cutters!
  
  of course i’ll watch, i can’t help myself. i’m hopelessly addicted.
Lisa

Sure, I may as well give it a shot – it could be fun. I mean, I’ve watched all of 10 minutes of Project Accessory, which bores me, and hated the Anya-driven outcome of the past season of PR, so maybe third time’s the charm for Lifetime TV.
Anonymous

Oh, it looks horridly divine. I can’t wait!
Anonymous

“24 Hour Catwalk’s talented and opinionated sewing team” This sentence worries me.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=508965562 Amanda Choo Quan

I might just ‘watch’ it the same way I’ve begun to watch Project Runway- through TLO’s blog posts.
Anonymous

I’ll skip watching the show, but I can’t wait to see what T Lo has to say about it!
Anonymous

I only can commit to one insane reality designer show so I’ll go with Project Runway All Stars, thank you. Besides, why am I supposed to care what Alexa Chung thinks about anything?
Anonymous

I think I’d watch just for Cynthia Rowley. I remember when she was judging on Design Star, and I LOVED HUH. First thing I thought when I saw the picture was, “She’s back on my screen! Yes!”

I don’t even remember if I loved her because she was a quality judge or because she cracked me up. I just remember I was happy about her.
http://www.ttelroc.blogspot.com Kristin_The_Goat

I’m totally there. I’m a sucker for reality tv game show stuffs.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QDTYKBJF23YJKXYRP2LWWOMJFQ TN

I don’t know who Alexa Chung is, and what makes her any kind of icon???
Anonymous

Nope.
Anonymous

It sounds like it will be very mean. No thanks.
- http://www.GiftedCollector.com Nancy Abrams
  
  Thank you, Rowsella, for saying what I feel but could not adequately put into words, especially the first sentence of your edit. These shows make me uncomfortable and I didn’t understand why. Now I realize that they remind me of a client for whom I created special events and promotions at his shopping centers. He took pleasure in setting up his employees and contractors for certain failure and then nastily derided them when they inevitably did fail. “I want an elaborate event tomorrow with fabulous media coverage and no budget.” Luckily I had the wherewithal to usually make them work, but oh, the STRESS!
  
  A collection in 24 hours? Won’t be watching. I don’t need to have déjà vu all over again.
  - http://profiles.google.com/shannonlstewart Shannon Stewart
    
    Actually, depending on the size of the collection and the sewing team, I could do it without that much strain. My guess is that it will be a capsule collection of 10 looks or so, which isn’t that hard if all you have to do is think of them and give direction to people capable of sewing them that quickly.
Anonymous

Not too surprising, really. Even in decline, PR has to get like ten times the ratings of their other shows. (Who’d even heard of Drop Dead Diva before PR changed networks?)

I’m not investing time in any more Lifetime shows until the TLo recaps start praising it up and down.
Anonymous

What exactly is the point in making a fashion reality competition that revolves around some ridiculous time constraint? So bloody stupid.

It’s like saying bake a cake in 8.23 seconds. So what if you can do it? So what if you can’t? It’s STUPID STUPID STUPID.
BuffaloBarbara

Nah. I have enough fashion TV in my life. Not really up for another one.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NMLK23QK6C7NMLMVVYA5POXKJY WhiteMage

Someone’s been watching a lot of Chopped on the Food Network…
R. L.

I’ll watch it at least once. If it isn’t any good then I won’t watch again.
michelle shields

Can I throat punch someone now?
- http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LSGDWPRY6JLBPB43EO6MIAURZI what
  
  Seriously!
  Enough of the crap already Lifetime. Why would T & Lo even waste their time watching this?
  I’m sure not going to.
Anonymous

Nope. Not watching. I’ll read recaps if you decide to do them!
Anonymous

This looks like a show centered around drama rather than fashion so I won’t be watching. Plus, it’s on Lifetime. Even Sin-tee-a Wowee (still love you, Rene!) can’t save this waste of time.
Anonymous

The girl in a space dress, tights, and fugly platforms, standing like a nervous eleven year old, is a Global Style Icon? On what planet?

Anyway, not planning to watch, unless it gets a good review here.
http://www.facebook.com/tatiana.lensky Veronika Kaufmann

Derek Blasberg? oh dear.
Anonymous

I’m adding this to the list of shows I won’t actually watch but will greedily devour your recaps for.
Anonymous

What is an Alexa Chung, and why is is she standing like a 12 year old girl hoping someone will ask her to dance?

(I think that means no.)
Belle du Jour

Thank you for calling out “global fashion icon”. Not on this side of the Channel. I live in Paris and 10 out of 10 bitchy Frenchwomen have never heard of her.
- http://twitter.com/FotoVerite Matthew Bergman
  
  Alright that’s going into my vocab right quickly.
Mary McClelland

I will not be watching this! Ew.
http://profiles.google.com/dchockeyguy Trevor Burroughs

It’s 24 hour restaurant battle for fashion. I think it’s even by the same production company
Anonymous

Alexa Chung’s clothes look like something designed and sewn in a 7th grade home economics class. Horrible!!

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