Style guru

What’s it about? There is something intrinsically sympathetic about human beings. We love the story about the little duckling that turns into a beautiful swan and we love it even more when we can see the saga unfold before our eyes. Maybe its proof that the human spirit can soar above the handicaps that nature encumbered it with. Whatever the reason,there’s no denying that makeovers on television have a readymade audience—ever willing to sympathise with the ugly duckling in her unbecoming track pants and then weep with joy as she sees herself transformed into a vision in a cocktail dress and blown-dry hair. It’s a trend canny television moguls have used to churn out successful shows—from What Not to Wear to Trinny and Susannah Undress. The latest in this line is Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style,where a TV fashion mentor and his co-host,a former model,take on the onerous task of telling ordinary women how to dress.

Who’s in it? Fans of Project Runway will be familiar with Tim Gunn. He’s the white-haired mentor who guides would-be designers on that show. He’s been popular with viewers for his slightly effete but ultra-stylish take on fashion and for the firm but no nonsense advice he dispenses on the show. On Guide to Style,he’s accompanied by former model Veronica Webb,who with her own sophisticated,but slightly edgier style,makes a great companion to Gunn.

What’s hot? Gunn makes it very clear that he’s not one for trends. With him,it’s all about the classics—the little black dress,the classic trench coat and a day dress. In fact,many wannabe fashionistas can pick up a pointer or two from Gunn’s list of the 10 basics every woman must have. Also,since each episode features a different ‘duckling’,it also offers Gunn a chance to offer critique based on people’s body types and skin tones. The tenor of the show remains quick and crisp,with few diversions into comments from the participants’ friends and family.

Gunn and Webb are witty,warm but firm—quite unlike the blunt tone set by Trinny and Susannah or the Mother hen note stressed by glamazons Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks. It helps since the participants warm up more easily this way.

What’s not? Unfortunately,this show too has not been able to escape the cloying sentimentality that’s the bane of American television. So when a husband gifts his newly transformed wife a massive solitaire and she bawls with happiness along with the rest of the studio,you just want them to get real and keep the show all about fashion.

Should you be watching it? People addicted to the cut-throatism and bitchiness of Project Runway and

America’s Next Top Model will find little in common here with those shows. But do watch this show for Gunn’s inimitable charm and a lesson in basics of fashion.