What Not to Wear
Encyclopedia
What Not to Wear is a BAFTA Award-nominated makeover
reality
television show launched by the BBC in 2001. It was presented by Trinny Woodall
and Susannah Constantine
for five series, bringing the pair to national prominence. After they left, the BBC produced two more series presented by Lisa Butcher
and Mica Paris
.
in 2001, hosted by fashion gurus Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine
who also co-authored several fashion books based on the show. The first ever episode was broadcast on 29 November 2001.
In 2002 during the show's second series, Jeremy Clarkson
and Lesley Joseph
appeared in a special episode, where Constantine and Woodall gave them a fashion makeover. After Clarkson appeared on the show, he commented "I'd rather eat my own hair than shop with these two again". During the process of choosing which celebrity to give a makeover, Constantine and Woodall compiled a list of who they thought were the worst dressed celebrities. Also in 2002, Constantine and Woodall won a Royal Television Society Award, for being the best factual presenters. The show was also nominated for the Features Award at the BAFTAS in both 2002 and 2003 but was beaten both times.
Trinny and Susannah did a spin-off show in 2003; What Not to Wear on the Red Carpet which featured comedienne Jo Brand
and news presenter Sophie Raworth
having a special makeovers to attend a BAFTA Award ceremony. By the end of series three, viewing figures had reached a respectable 2.8 million on BBC Two.
Following a ratings success, What Not to Wear was promoted to BBC One
in 2004 to air its fourth series. The format was changed slightly, where a 30 minute show with one makeover was replaced by a 60 minute show featuring two makeovers. The series that aired for the first time on BBC One began on 29 September 2004, and had success with viewing figures which peaked at 5.26 million during the episode aired on 20 October 2004. For a Christmas special aired on 22 December 2004, Trisha Goddard
was madeover by Constantine and Woodall, where the episode generated 7.42 million viewers. Other What Not to Wear specials saw them giving David Baddiel
and Ingrid Tarrant
makeovers. Tarrant however, did not wear what Constantine and Woodall had selected, and changed her dress in the back of the taxi whilst driving to the award ceremony. The fifth series began on 19 October 2005, where viewing figures still remained strong. On 16 November and 23, 2005 ratings reached 4.91 million and the series averaged with 4.8 million viewers. In 2005, Britney Spears
revealed that she was a fan of the show where she commented "The girls are so dramatic in the makeovers, you just get caught up in it. Would I go on the show? Never say never.?"
In April 2006, it was announced that Lisa Butcher
and Mica Paris
would take over as presenters of the BBC show, after Constantine and Woodall signed a contract with ITV
to host their new show Trinny & Susannah Undress. The new series hosted by Butcher and Paris managed to reach viewing figures of 4.26 million on 19 October 2006 and the first show of the series attracted 4.2 million viewers. The seventh series, which consisted of eight episodes, was aired on BBC One starting in August 2007. The first episode claimed 3.1 million viewers, about 1 million less than the first episode of the last series.
The UK version of What Not to Wear has been broadcast around the world on BBC Entertainment
. It is also repeated on Really
in the United Kingdom. Constantine and Woodall have also been frequent guest fashion and makeover experts on The Oprah Winfrey Show
in America. An American version (What Not to Wear (US version)
) airs on TLC and is hosted by Stacy London
and Clinton Kelly
.
Trinny and Susannah were often known for their tactile behaviour with the participants and for frequently referring to breasts as "tit
s". They were also renowned for their direct comments on the show, where Trinny's comments have reduced some participants to tears, and Susannah once spontaneously pulled a female candidate's underwear down during filming as her knicker line was visible.
to buy a whole new wardrobe. But they must hand over their entire existing wardrobe and be prepared for some harsh criticism and to receive fashion advice from two experts.
On the first day of the participant's visit to the studios, there is a review of the secret footage along with the participant. On the videotape
, there are normally comments from family members and friends about the participant's style and appearance. The experts then go through their entire wardrobe, which has been brought with the participant. They critique the items and then most of the clothing gets discarded or even cut up with scissors. The participant is asked to put on an outfit, that they like and think most suits their figure, and then must face the 360 degree mirror
. The experts comment honestly on why the outfit does not suit them, often being brutally honest. The experts give suggestions throughout the day and then present three different outfits to the participant to help illustrate the rules that they will need to follow as they shop for better clothing.
The participant is then given two days to shop for suitable clothing at a suitable and selected location. On the first day, they are left to their own devices, to test how much they have learnt about which clothes are suitable and comply with the rules. On the second day, the experts ambush the nominee and comment on whether the previous day's purchases complied with the correct guide lines as to which clothes to buy. The second day, the fashion gurus sit in a café
and watch live video footage of the participant shopping and comment on whether the participant is following the rules given. If the participant is struggling, they rush to the scene to help. The experts then accompany the participant around the shops, providing advice and assistance, often being critical.
After all the shopping, hair stylists and makeup artists work on the nominee's hair and makeup respectively. After the makeover, the participant reveals themselves to the experts and are brought to a full-length mirror to see their transformed state. The participant models three outfits for the experts, often showing confidence and poise. The participant departs and soon after, reveals themselves with their transformed appearance to their friends and family. Some time after the participant's makeover, the fashion gurus would pay them a surprise visit, in order to establish whether they have adhered to the rules for their clothing.
In later series, the format changed. It saw the hosts receiving hundreds of videos from certain groups of people that have nominated themselves for a makeover, instead of other people nominating them. There were select groups such as women facing menopause
or those who have lost partners. They would then have to watch and then choose five people from these video
s, as to who they thought were in need of the help the most. The five selected candidates were then invited to the studios where they would be interviewed on why they thought they needed a makeover à la What Not to Wear. Then two candidates were selected and offered a What Not to Wear makeover. The series also saw the hosts spending a day as the two participants, where they would drive their cars, work in their jobs and live in their homes. There, they would make the participant's husbands a meal, meet their other close family and venture into the participants wardrobe to dispose of any unsuitable clothing. The rest of the episode would sustain the format seen in previous series.
Trinny and Susannah are the authors of several fashion advice books based on the series. Their books have proceeded to become number one bestsellers in Britain and have been translated throughout the world. Other success, included when the book What Not to Wear gained Trinny and Susannah a British Book Award
in 2003 for "The TV & Film Book of the Year". The book also outsold Jamie Oliver
and Nigella Lawson
when sale figures reached a total of 670,000 copies.
Books by Trinny and Susannah linked with What Not to Wear include:
episode "Bad Wolf
". Set in the year 200,100, Trinny and Susannah provided the voices of killer androids Trinn-e and Zu-Zanna who offered makeovers in a more gruesome form.
On the show Big Impression
, Alistair McGowan
and Ronnie Ancona took to spoofing Trinny and Susannah's presenting techniques on What Not to Wear. Trinny and Susannah were also spoofed in a sketch on 2DTV
when it showed them giving Santa Claus
a makeover, where they substituted his red suit for a casual shirt and trousers.
Trinny and Susannah appeared on Children in Need
in 2004, which saw them giving EastEnders
characters Little Mo
and Mo Harris
a makeover in the style of What Not to Wear. In an episode of the last series of French & Saunders
, Trinny and Susannah are mentioned as being "bullies" in a Celebrity Grading Report sketch where Dawn French was the headmaster of a celebrity school where she had to write comments on various celebrities.
Makeover
A makeover is a term applied to changing one's appearance, sometimes through cosmetics. Makeovers can range from something as simple as a new haircut, to the use of cosmetic surgery, to the extreme of the implantation of dental veneers, eye-color-changing contact lenses, and the use of...
reality
Reality
In philosophy, reality is the state of things as they actually exist, rather than as they may appear or might be imagined. In a wider definition, reality includes everything that is and has been, whether or not it is observable or comprehensible...
television show launched by the BBC in 2001. It was presented by Trinny Woodall
Trinny Woodall
Trinny Woodall is an English fashion advisor and designer, television presenter and author. She was raised in a wealthy family and was privately educated...
and Susannah Constantine
Susannah Constantine
Susannah Caroline Constantine is an English fashion journalist, advisor, television presenter, author and designer. Her second book, entitled What Not to Wear, has won her a prestigious British Book Award and sold 670,000 copies....
for five series, bringing the pair to national prominence. After they left, the BBC produced two more series presented by Lisa Butcher
Lisa Butcher
Lisa Butcher is an English fashion model and TV presenter.Butcher won British Elles first ELLE's Angels modelling competition in 1987, judged by Marie Helvin, Laraine Ashton and photographer Terry O'Neill...
and Mica Paris
Mica Paris
Mica Paris is an English soul singer, radio and television presenter, and occasional actress. Her forename is pronounced Misha.-Beginnings:Paris' roots are in soul and gospel music...
.
History
What Not to Wear originated on BBC TwoBBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
in 2001, hosted by fashion gurus Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine
Trinny and Susannah
Trinny Woodall and Susannah Constantine are two British fashion advisors, presenters and authors. They originally joined to write a weekly style column in The Daily Telegraph which lasted for seven years, but they are best-known for presenting the BBC television series What Not to Wear for five...
who also co-authored several fashion books based on the show. The first ever episode was broadcast on 29 November 2001.
In 2002 during the show's second series, Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson is an English broadcaster, journalist and writer who specialises in motoring. He is best known for his role on the BBC TV show Top Gear along with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May...
and Lesley Joseph
Lesley Joseph
Lesley D Joseph is an English actress and broadcaster.-Life and career:Joseph was born in Northampton. She is best known for starring in the BBC sitcom Birds of a Feather from 1989–1998, in which she played Dorien Green, the Jewish next-door neighbour of the main characters Sharon and Tracy...
appeared in a special episode, where Constantine and Woodall gave them a fashion makeover. After Clarkson appeared on the show, he commented "I'd rather eat my own hair than shop with these two again". During the process of choosing which celebrity to give a makeover, Constantine and Woodall compiled a list of who they thought were the worst dressed celebrities. Also in 2002, Constantine and Woodall won a Royal Television Society Award, for being the best factual presenters. The show was also nominated for the Features Award at the BAFTAS in both 2002 and 2003 but was beaten both times.
Trinny and Susannah did a spin-off show in 2003; What Not to Wear on the Red Carpet which featured comedienne Jo Brand
Jo Brand
Josephine Grace "Jo" Brand is a BAFTA winning British comedian, writer, and actor.- Early life :Jo Brand was born 23 July 1957 in Wandsworth, London. Her mother was a social worker. Brand is the middle of three children, with two brothers...
and news presenter Sophie Raworth
Sophie Raworth
Sophie Jane Raworth is an English newsreader and journalist who works for British broadcaster the BBC. She is the main presenter of the BBC News at One, presenting Tuesday to Friday, and regularly appears on the BBC News at Six and occasionally on BBC News at Ten.-Early life:Born in Surrey to a...
having a special makeovers to attend a BAFTA Award ceremony. By the end of series three, viewing figures had reached a respectable 2.8 million on BBC Two.
Following a ratings success, What Not to Wear was promoted to BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
in 2004 to air its fourth series. The format was changed slightly, where a 30 minute show with one makeover was replaced by a 60 minute show featuring two makeovers. The series that aired for the first time on BBC One began on 29 September 2004, and had success with viewing figures which peaked at 5.26 million during the episode aired on 20 October 2004. For a Christmas special aired on 22 December 2004, Trisha Goddard
Trisha Goddard
Patricia "Trisha" Goddard is a British television presenter and actress best known for her morning talk show, Trisha Goddard, which is broadcast on a mid morning slot on Channel 5 in the UK. In Australia she is known as a long time presenter of Play School.-Background:Goddard was born in London,...
was madeover by Constantine and Woodall, where the episode generated 7.42 million viewers. Other What Not to Wear specials saw them giving David Baddiel
David Baddiel
David Lionel Baddiel is an English comedian, novelist and television presenter.-Early life:Baddiel was born in New York, and moved to England when he was four months old. His father, Colin Brian Baddiel, was a Welsh research chemist with Unilever before being made redundant in the 1980s, after...
and Ingrid Tarrant
Ingrid Tarrant
Ingrid Dupre Tarrant is an English broadcaster and former wife of Chris Tarrant. She was educated at St Margaret's School, Bushey and has presented such programmes as TV Mail, Wish You Were Here? and This Morning...
makeovers. Tarrant however, did not wear what Constantine and Woodall had selected, and changed her dress in the back of the taxi whilst driving to the award ceremony. The fifth series began on 19 October 2005, where viewing figures still remained strong. On 16 November and 23, 2005 ratings reached 4.91 million and the series averaged with 4.8 million viewers. In 2005, Britney Spears
Britney Spears
Britney Jean Spears is an American recording artist and entertainer. Born in McComb, Mississippi, and raised in Kentwood, Louisiana, Spears began performing as a child, landing acting roles in stage productions and television shows. She signed with Jive Records in 1997 and released her debut album...
revealed that she was a fan of the show where she commented "The girls are so dramatic in the makeovers, you just get caught up in it. Would I go on the show? Never say never.?"
In April 2006, it was announced that Lisa Butcher
Lisa Butcher
Lisa Butcher is an English fashion model and TV presenter.Butcher won British Elles first ELLE's Angels modelling competition in 1987, judged by Marie Helvin, Laraine Ashton and photographer Terry O'Neill...
and Mica Paris
Mica Paris
Mica Paris is an English soul singer, radio and television presenter, and occasional actress. Her forename is pronounced Misha.-Beginnings:Paris' roots are in soul and gospel music...
would take over as presenters of the BBC show, after Constantine and Woodall signed a contract with ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
to host their new show Trinny & Susannah Undress. The new series hosted by Butcher and Paris managed to reach viewing figures of 4.26 million on 19 October 2006 and the first show of the series attracted 4.2 million viewers. The seventh series, which consisted of eight episodes, was aired on BBC One starting in August 2007. The first episode claimed 3.1 million viewers, about 1 million less than the first episode of the last series.
The UK version of What Not to Wear has been broadcast around the world on BBC Entertainment
BBC Entertainment
BBC Entertainment is an international television channel showcasing comedy, drama, light entertainment and children's programming from the BBC and other UK production houses...
. It is also repeated on Really
Really (TV channel)
Really is a digital television channel broadcasting in the United Kingdom as part of the UKTV family of channels. The channel launched on 19 May 2009 as the UKTV's channel for female lifestyle programming and is available on satellite through Sky, cable services primarily through Virgin Media and...
in the United Kingdom. Constantine and Woodall have also been frequent guest fashion and makeover experts on The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show
The Oprah Winfrey Show is an American syndicated talk show hosted and produced by its namesake Oprah Winfrey. It ran nationally for 25 seasons beginning in 1986, before concluding in 2011. It is the highest-rated talk show in American television history....
in America. An American version (What Not to Wear (US version)
What Not to Wear (US version)
What Not to Wear is an American makeover reality television show based on a British show of the same name. The program currently airs on TLC in the United States and Canada, and foreign versions in Mexico, Colombia and Argentina...
) airs on TLC and is hosted by Stacy London
Stacy London
Stacy London is an American fashion consultant and media personality known primarily for her role as co-host on What Not to Wear, a reality program that features makeovers. After graduating from Vassar College, London started her career as a fashion editor at Vogue and transitioned into being a...
and Clinton Kelly
Clinton Kelly (TV personality)
Clinton Kelly is an American fashion consultant and media personality best known for his role as co-host on What Not to Wear, a reality program that features fashion makeovers. He shares on-air duties with Stacy London. Kelly started his career as a freelance writer for several fashion magazines...
.
International broadcasting
The British version of What Not to Wear has been broadcast around the world, with non English speaking countries viewing the series in subtitles. The show is broadcast in:- AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
on Lifestyle Channel - ArgentinaArgentinaArgentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
on Discovery Home & HealthDiscovery Home & HealthDiscovery Home & Health is a television channel based in the United Kingdom.Discovery Home & Health is available in Latin America , Australia, Republic of Ireland, Hong Kong, Philippines, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.It was formerly available on SelecTV from March 2007... - BelgiumBelgiumBelgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
on VitayaVitayaVitaya is a Flemish television station. The station got its license for 9 years in 1999 and it started to broadcast on 25 August 2000.Vitaya can be seen on Flemish cable and satellite services... - BrazilBrazilBrazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
on Discovery Home & HealthDiscovery Home & HealthDiscovery Home & Health is a television channel based in the United Kingdom.Discovery Home & Health is available in Latin America , Australia, Republic of Ireland, Hong Kong, Philippines, New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia.It was formerly available on SelecTV from March 2007...
and on SBT (known as Esquadrão da Moda) - CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
on BBC CanadaBBC CanadaBBC Canada is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel. It presents programming primarily from the BBC. BBC Canada is a joint venture between Shaw Media and BBC Worldwide.-Programming:Main article: List of programs broadcast by BBC Canada... - GreeceGreeceGreece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
on Skai TVSkai TVSkai TV is a Greek TV station, based in Pireus, Athens. It is part of the Skai Group one of the largest media groups in Greece. It was relaunched in its present form on April 1, 2006 in Athens and gradually managed to spread its coverage nationwide. Besides analog over-the-air transmission, it is... - HungaryHungaryHungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
on BBC PrimeBBC PrimeBBC Prime was the BBC's general entertainment TV channel in Europe and the Middle East from 30 January 1995 until 11 November 2009, when it was replaced by BBC Entertainment.-Launch:... - IrelandIrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
on TV3TV3 IrelandTV3 is a free-to-air commercial television network in the Republic of Ireland. Launched on 20 September 1998 it was Ireland's first commercial broadcaster. The channel is owned by TV3 Group a subsidiary of Doughty Hanson & Co.-The TV3 Group:... - IsraelIsraelThe State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
on BBC PrimeBBC PrimeBBC Prime was the BBC's general entertainment TV channel in Europe and the Middle East from 30 January 1995 until 11 November 2009, when it was replaced by BBC Entertainment.-Launch:... - MexicoMexicoThe United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
on People+ArtsPeople+ArtsLiv is an entertainment television channel in Latin America. It is jointly owned by Discovery Communications.The channel was launched in October 1997 as the local version of Travel Channel... - NetherlandsNetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
on RTL4, RTL 8RTL 8RTL 8 is a commercial television station which launched in the Netherlands on 18 August 2007. The channel apperead by the former Tien, previously known as Talpa, which was launched in August 2005, and other assets of John de Mol's Talpa Media were amalgamated with RTL Nederland...
and BBC PrimeBBC PrimeBBC Prime was the BBC's general entertainment TV channel in Europe and the Middle East from 30 January 1995 until 11 November 2009, when it was replaced by BBC Entertainment.-Launch:... - NorwayNorwayNorway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
on TV Norge - New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
on TV ONE - PeruPeruPeru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
on People+ArtsPeople+ArtsLiv is an entertainment television channel in Latin America. It is jointly owned by Discovery Communications.The channel was launched in October 1997 as the local version of Travel Channel... - PolandPolandPoland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
on TVN StyleTVN StyleTVN Style is a Polish channel aimed at women featuring the latest in fashion, health and beauty. It launched in August 2004 and is a part of the TVN network, owned by ITI Group.-Line-up:...
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(known as Jak się nie ubierać?) - PortugalPortugalPortugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
on SIC MulherSic mulherSIC Mulher is a Portuguese cable television channel owned by Sociedade Independente de Comunicação and launched on March 8, 2003...
(known as Esquadrão da Moda) - SwedenSwedenSweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
on Kanal 5Kanal 5 (Sweden)Kanal 5 is a Swedish commercial television channel established in 1989. It is owned by the media corporation ProSiebenSat.1 Media.After a troublesome 1990s, Kanal 5 launched new strategies in the early 2000s that established it as a popular entertainment channel targeting young people... - South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
on BBC PrimeBBC PrimeBBC Prime was the BBC's general entertainment TV channel in Europe and the Middle East from 30 January 1995 until 11 November 2009, when it was replaced by BBC Entertainment.-Launch:... - United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab EmiratesThe United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
on MBC 4MBC 4MBC 4 is the first free-to-air national television channel in the Middle East aired specifically for American programs. The downside of this all is that MBC 2, MBC 3, MBC 4, MBC Action, MBC Max,and MBC Drama all show movies and TV programs that are edited: taking out all drug use, sexual content,... - SpainSpainSpain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
on People+ArtsPeople+ArtsLiv is an entertainment television channel in Latin America. It is jointly owned by Discovery Communications.The channel was launched in October 1997 as the local version of Travel Channel... - United KingdomUnited KingdomThe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
on BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
(repeats on ReallyReally (TV channel)Really is a digital television channel broadcasting in the United Kingdom as part of the UKTV family of channels. The channel launched on 19 May 2009 as the UKTV's channel for female lifestyle programming and is available on satellite through Sky, cable services primarily through Virgin Media and...
) - United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on BBC AmericaBBC AmericaBBC America is an American television network, owned and operated by BBC Worldwide, and available on both cable and satellite.-History:The channel launched on March 29, 1998, broadcasting comedy, drama and lifestyle programs from BBC Television and other British television broadcasters like ITV and...
Presenters
- Trinny WoodallTrinny WoodallTrinny Woodall is an English fashion advisor and designer, television presenter and author. She was raised in a wealthy family and was privately educated...
(2001–2005) - Susannah ConstantineSusannah ConstantineSusannah Caroline Constantine is an English fashion journalist, advisor, television presenter, author and designer. Her second book, entitled What Not to Wear, has won her a prestigious British Book Award and sold 670,000 copies....
(2001–2005) - Lisa ButcherLisa ButcherLisa Butcher is an English fashion model and TV presenter.Butcher won British Elles first ELLE's Angels modelling competition in 1987, judged by Marie Helvin, Laraine Ashton and photographer Terry O'Neill...
(2006–2007) - Mica ParisMica ParisMica Paris is an English soul singer, radio and television presenter, and occasional actress. Her forename is pronounced Misha.-Beginnings:Paris' roots are in soul and gospel music...
(2006–2007)
Content overview
Every episode features an "ambush" style confrontation and makeover of a woman, and sometimes a man who has been nominated by their friends as particularly unfashionable. The subject has their current fashion sense evaluated. The presenters take particular regard to the participant's body-shape and self-image (with the help of a 360 degree mirror cabinet) and determine what will work best for them. The participant is then given £2000 to go shopping for a new wardrobe, which is supposed to be in accordance with the advice they have been given. Although they are free to spend how they wish, they are spied upon and counselled on the ways of fashion by the show's two hosts.Trinny and Susannah were often known for their tactile behaviour with the participants and for frequently referring to breasts as "tit
Breast
The breast is the upper ventral region of the torso of a primate, in left and right sides, which in a female contains the mammary gland that secretes milk used to feed infants.Both men and women develop breasts from the same embryological tissues...
s". They were also renowned for their direct comments on the show, where Trinny's comments have reduced some participants to tears, and Susannah once spontaneously pulled a female candidate's underwear down during filming as her knicker line was visible.
Episode format
The participant is nominated by their friends and relatives for being particularly unfashionable. The show then secretly follows and videotapes the nominated participant for two weeks. At the end of the two weeks, the fashion experts review the secret footage and prepare to surprise the participant. During the surprise visit, the participant is offered a £2000 chequeCheque
A cheque is a document/instrument See the negotiable cow—itself a fictional story—for discussions of cheques written on unusual surfaces. that orders a payment of money from a bank account...
to buy a whole new wardrobe. But they must hand over their entire existing wardrobe and be prepared for some harsh criticism and to receive fashion advice from two experts.
On the first day of the participant's visit to the studios, there is a review of the secret footage along with the participant. On the videotape
Videotape
A videotape is a recording of images and sounds on to magnetic tape as opposed to film stock or random access digital media. Videotapes are also used for storing scientific or medical data, such as the data produced by an electrocardiogram...
, there are normally comments from family members and friends about the participant's style and appearance. The experts then go through their entire wardrobe, which has been brought with the participant. They critique the items and then most of the clothing gets discarded or even cut up with scissors. The participant is asked to put on an outfit, that they like and think most suits their figure, and then must face the 360 degree mirror
Mirror
A mirror is an object that reflects light or sound in a way that preserves much of its original quality prior to its contact with the mirror. Some mirrors also filter out some wavelengths, while preserving other wavelengths in the reflection...
. The experts comment honestly on why the outfit does not suit them, often being brutally honest. The experts give suggestions throughout the day and then present three different outfits to the participant to help illustrate the rules that they will need to follow as they shop for better clothing.
The participant is then given two days to shop for suitable clothing at a suitable and selected location. On the first day, they are left to their own devices, to test how much they have learnt about which clothes are suitable and comply with the rules. On the second day, the experts ambush the nominee and comment on whether the previous day's purchases complied with the correct guide lines as to which clothes to buy. The second day, the fashion gurus sit in a café
Café
A café , also spelled cafe, in most countries refers to an establishment which focuses on serving coffee, like an American coffeehouse. In the United States, it may refer to an informal restaurant, offering a range of hot meals and made-to-order sandwiches...
and watch live video footage of the participant shopping and comment on whether the participant is following the rules given. If the participant is struggling, they rush to the scene to help. The experts then accompany the participant around the shops, providing advice and assistance, often being critical.
After all the shopping, hair stylists and makeup artists work on the nominee's hair and makeup respectively. After the makeover, the participant reveals themselves to the experts and are brought to a full-length mirror to see their transformed state. The participant models three outfits for the experts, often showing confidence and poise. The participant departs and soon after, reveals themselves with their transformed appearance to their friends and family. Some time after the participant's makeover, the fashion gurus would pay them a surprise visit, in order to establish whether they have adhered to the rules for their clothing.
In later series, the format changed. It saw the hosts receiving hundreds of videos from certain groups of people that have nominated themselves for a makeover, instead of other people nominating them. There were select groups such as women facing menopause
Menopause
Menopause is a term used to describe the permanent cessation of the primary functions of the human ovaries: the ripening and release of ova and the release of hormones that cause both the creation of the uterine lining and the subsequent shedding of the uterine lining...
or those who have lost partners. They would then have to watch and then choose five people from these video
Video
Video is the technology of electronically capturing, recording, processing, storing, transmitting, and reconstructing a sequence of still images representing scenes in motion.- History :...
s, as to who they thought were in need of the help the most. The five selected candidates were then invited to the studios where they would be interviewed on why they thought they needed a makeover à la What Not to Wear. Then two candidates were selected and offered a What Not to Wear makeover. The series also saw the hosts spending a day as the two participants, where they would drive their cars, work in their jobs and live in their homes. There, they would make the participant's husbands a meal, meet their other close family and venture into the participants wardrobe to dispose of any unsuitable clothing. The rest of the episode would sustain the format seen in previous series.
Publications
British Book Awards
The Galaxy National Book Awards are a series of British literary awards focused on the best UK writers and their works, as selected by an academy of members from the British book publishing industry...
in 2003 for "The TV & Film Book of the Year". The book also outsold Jamie Oliver
Jamie Oliver
James "Jamie" Trevor Oliver, MBE , sometimes known as The Naked Chef, is an English chef, restaurateur and media personality, known for his food-focused television shows, cookbooks and more recently his campaign against the use of processed foods in national schools...
and Nigella Lawson
Nigella Lawson
Nigella Lucy Lawson is an English food writer, journalist and broadcaster. Lawson is the daughter of Nigel Lawson, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Vanessa Salmon, whose family owned the J. Lyons and Co. empire...
when sale figures reached a total of 670,000 copies.
Books by Trinny and Susannah linked with What Not to Wear include:
- What Not to Wear (2002)
- What Not to Wear 2: For Every Occasion (2003)
- What Not to Wear: The Rules (2004)
- What Not to Wear: For Every Occasion (2004)
Popular culture
A lethal far-future version of the show appeared in the Doctor WhoDoctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
episode "Bad Wolf
Bad Wolf
"Bad Wolf" is an episode in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast on June 11, 2005. The TARDIS crew find themselves trapped in the Gamestation, also known as Satellite 5, where they must battle to survive the cruel games...
". Set in the year 200,100, Trinny and Susannah provided the voices of killer androids Trinn-e and Zu-Zanna who offered makeovers in a more gruesome form.
On the show Big Impression
Big Impression
The Big Impression, known as Alistair McGowan's Big Impression for the first three series, is a British comedy sketch show. It features Alistair McGowan and Ronni Ancona impersonating personalities from entertainment and sport...
, Alistair McGowan
Alistair McGowan
Alistair McGowan is a British impressionist, stand-up comic, actor, singer and writer best known to British audiences for The Big Impression , which was, for four years, one of BBC1's top-rating comedy programmes - winning numerous awards, including a BAFTA in 2003...
and Ronnie Ancona took to spoofing Trinny and Susannah's presenting techniques on What Not to Wear. Trinny and Susannah were also spoofed in a sketch on 2DTV
2DTV
2DTV is a British satirical animated television show that was broadcast on ITV in the United Kingdom, directed by Tim Searle.2DTV employs the same satirical style as Spitting Image, but using animation rather than puppets. The animation was produced on computer, frequently with animators working up...
when it showed them giving Santa Claus
Santa Claus
Santa Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
a makeover, where they substituted his red suit for a casual shirt and trousers.
Trinny and Susannah appeared on Children in Need
Children in Need
Children in Need is an annual British charity appeal organised by the BBC. Since 1980 it has raised over £500 million. The highlight of the Children in Need appeal is an annual telethon, held in November. A teddy bear named "Pudsey Bear" fronts the campaign, while Terry Wogan is a long...
in 2004, which saw them giving EastEnders
EastEnders
EastEnders is a British television soap opera, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 19 February 1985 and continuing to today. EastEnders storylines examine the domestic and professional lives of the people who live and work in the fictional London Borough of Walford in the East End...
characters Little Mo
Little Mo Mitchell
Maureen "Little Mo" Mitchell is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, played by Kacey Ainsworth.-Storylines:...
and Mo Harris
Mo Harris
Maureen "Big Mo" Harris is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera EastEnders, who has been in the series since 18 September 2000, played by Laila Morse. Mo is also played by Lorraine Stanley in a soap 'bubble' Pat and Mo, delving into her past with Pat Evans, which aired in 2004...
a makeover in the style of What Not to Wear. In an episode of the last series of French & Saunders
French & Saunders
French and Saunders is a British sketch comedy television show written by and starring comic duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. It is also the name by which the performers are known on the occasions when they appear elsewhere as a double act....
, Trinny and Susannah are mentioned as being "bullies" in a Celebrity Grading Report sketch where Dawn French was the headmaster of a celebrity school where she had to write comments on various celebrities.
External links
- What Not to Wear at BBCAmerica.com