Tim Gunn is da Man

For those of us who ADORE Stacey and Clinton on TLC's What Not to Wear, the Bravo show Tim Gunn's Guide To Style may have seemed like television plagiarism. On WNTW, rapier-witted Stacey London and cute and compassionate (and very tall) Clinton Kelly, both stylists, spend an hour transforming a fashion dimwit into a new, sleeker fashion self. Touting the fashion adages of "great fit" and "silhouette," Stacey and Clinton have wracked up seasons of wins--I've never watched a show that ended up badly. The ugly duckling always looks like a swan at the end, even if the process has proven obnoxious. To help with the new look, Nick Arrojo recreates the hair (which can be and usually is the most dramatic part of the show) and make-up artist Carmindy, somewhat dimwitted herself, helps to complete the transformation.

Compare this to TGGTS: Tim, former artistic director at Parson's School of Design and a break-out fan favorite on Bravo's Project Runway, and famous supermodel Veronica Webb help transform a fashion misfit into a fashion maven by 1) ransacking the misfit's closet 2) rummaging through the underwear drawer 3) sending them out with rules to follow in picking up a 10-piece "core" of the new wardrobe 4) getting them new hair and make-up and 5) finishing off with an exciting "reveal." I watched one show partially and turned it off, spurning the obvious copying of WNTW, a show for which I have undying love.

BUT

Upon another viewing, I think TGGTS actually offers some unique qualities to fashion reality-tv that are both entertaining and, dare I say, heartwarming. I could go into very serious detail, but it all comes down to the person of Tim Gunn and what a one-of-a-kind eclectic bird he is. I grew to love Tim on Project Runway because he's a perfect mix of critical eye, fashion snob, with a compassionate heart, and a great sense of humor. Tim's a teacher...but one who practices tough love. He is a rare bird--and I think I might mean literally because he does kinda strike me as a bird (shrug...I don't know)

So here's why everyone should give this show a chance:
Tim Gunn is funny pulling out phrases like "it's the slobbification of America" and my personal favorite, in critiquing an oddly patterned dress, "it looks like it came straight out of the vomitorium." The best part is that it appears he's slapping the wrists of the horrible designers of such fashion horrors and not the suckers who just think they're looking good in flared camouflage cargo capris.
Veronica Webb is a great 2nd Unlike WNTW, Veronica is neither a stylist or a designer; she's just a wearer of clothes (albeit a model) but she presents this very mother-like quality that's comforting. She does a lot of shopping with the misfit which clearly comforts them but allows the misfit to build on some guidance and not just have it be a game.
There are lots of famous names. It's clear that Tim Gunn doesn't mess around with up-and-comers. He, with his impeccable taste, teaches the misfit himself, they go shopping with Verionica, he calls in a lot of designer friends to provide beautiful clothes to fit every misfit that has appear and hair is done by none other than Frederic Fekkai. This is varsity WNTW and it's fun.

Bottom line: there is a distinct place for both these shows. Though they follow the same formula, they're distinct and accomplish different things for the mostly women who participate. Check it out. It's worth it.