Tim Gunn Makes it Work

Let’s face it: while the designers are talented, and Heidi Klum stunningly beautiful, voice-of-reason Tim Gunn is everyone’s favorite personality on Bravo’s “Project Runway.” With his perfect posture, starched suits and impeccable grey hair, Gunn is a silver fox that makes gay men swoon and straight women wish they could be half as sophisticated as he is. Now viewers can snatch up a bit of that sophistication by watching Bravo’s new series, “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style.” But beware: Like Gunn, the show never dresses down.

Basically, “Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style” is a flagrant knock-off TLC’s “What Not to Wear,” minus the bitchiness of that show’s hosts, Clinton Kelly and Stacy London. Gunn’s show follows the same dynamic of a gay man and a fashionable woman teaching style-inept frumpsters how to dress, but it does so without all of the yelling of “shut ... up ... ” at each other while dramatically slam-dunking clothes into trash cans. Instead, the quiet, chicly-bobbed ex-model Veronica Webb serves as Gunn’s sidekick; a woman who borders on boring but produces enough finger-snapping “uh-huh, sister-friend!” comments to save her from putting viewers to sleep. Together, the tasteful Gunn and classy Webb elevate the show to a level of gallery-strolling, champagne brunch-ishness that will make viewers feel refined just by watching. They’re Clinton and Stacy for the high society crowd.

So far, Bravo has aired two episodes of the eight-episode series, the first of which followed Karen, a tired old streetwalker, ahem, soccer mom, who was too scantily clad for the PTA. The second episode profiled Rebecca, a jeans-and-T shirt girl who hadn’t worn a dress in years. Gunn and his co-host passed the contestants through the hands of hair and make-up artists—as well as a “life stylist”—and transformed them into polished women who wouldn’t be mistaken for men or ladies of the night anymore. The concept is simple, and the process has been seen before on reality and talk shows alike.

But while the producers’ attempts to distinguish Gunn’s show from “What Not to Wear” are few, the differences do pay off—literally. Gunn uses his numerous high fashion connections—Coach, Tiffany, etc.—to hook up his contestants with luxurious swag that we little people can only dream of. He also ushers his contestants to famed fashion houses (Bill Blass and Catherine Malandrino in the first episodes!), where they get to pick their “perfect outfit.” Fashionistas will love this part of the show, and the loads of free stuff are enough to make anyone want to throw on a pair of holey sweat pants and make an audition tape.

The show is also more of a personal growth experience than “What Not to Wear,” as Gunn asks his contestants to examine why they make the fashion choices that they do and emphasizes personal style. Instead of ripping beloved clothing from their clutches, Gunn lets them choose what they want to throw away. And rather than scrunching up his face at their choices, Gunn keeps his famous composure and gracefully asks, “Do you feel that these are at a level of fashion that’s adequate for where we’re going with you?” The lack of verbal bashing may make the show a bit dull for some, but others will find the freedom the contestants are given intriguing.

Overall, Gunn’s new show will not disappoint fans and fashionistas, but it may not have enough pizzazz for average viewers. Gunn and Webb aren’t boisterous or flashy, because they couldn’t be—they might mess up their hair or wrinkle their clothes. But that’s why the show works. Gunn’s series is the Bergdorf Goodman to “What Not to Wear”’s Macy’s: more refined and understated, with more serious fashion.

Tags: