Recapalooza!

Finale recaps can be found at RealityTV Magazine...

...Watching the CW...

...the CW Blog...

...the CW Source...

...Zap2It...

...Television Without Pity...

...the Celebrity Cafe...

...and BuddyTV...

Stylista Chatter

Anne Slowey and Joe Zee were on the 11 Morning News to discuss the Stylista finale.  Notice in the pic that Anne's not wearing a ton of makeup.  Neither is Joe, for that matter....

Fancast has an interview with Ashlie, who says she wasn't dramatic enough.

Congratulations to JOHANNA!!

A hearty congrats to Johanna, who finally has her dream job at Elle Magazine!

Johanna - we could tell you really really REALLY wanted the job, and your final confidence coupled with your natural organization skills won you the prize.

Reactions

Well, now we know who was worthy of the junior editor position at Elle Magazine! Do you agree with the ultimate decision, or not? Discuss amongst yourselves here.

Welcome to the Stylista Café!

Once again, I'm not quite sure why I'm bothering opening the cafe, but it's the finale so I know you're going to watch. I am.

Click "comments" to enter.

Finale Previews

TGITLWOS!

Translation: Thank God It's The Last Week of Stylista! The finale airs tonight - who will win? Who will care? Stay tuned!

Stylista Chatter

Ashlie says goodbye to Elle.

SeenOn! has an interview with last week's canned assistant.

Here's a late recap from Samantha, plus Style Television's discussion of who will win Stylista.

Recapalooza!

Starting reading at Reality TV Magazine,

then head to Zap2It,

Watching the CW,

The CW Source,

Adrienne at the News Observer,

Television Without Pity,

and finally end with TEEVZ,

Stylista Chatter

Here's an interview with Johanna.

and Kate weighs in on capes.

Stylista "It's All About Who You Know" Pictured: Johanna Photo: Jeffrey R. Staab/The CW ©2008 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved

BCWS Love to Ashlie

Ashlie, you've been a great competitor all season, but the judges didn't think you had what it takes this week. You're certainly not a drama queen of the caliber of DyShaun, so of course between the two of you, you had to be the one to go.

Please leave positive comments only here. If you have other opinions to express, you can leave them at our Reactions post.

Congratulations to Team 2!

Megan and Johanna, even though you didn't get your first choice of designer, your layout showed that you had a vision and you should be commended for creating a point of view for the collection.

A shame your layout was a snooze...but at least you won!

Please leave positive comments only here. If you have other opinions to express, you can leave them at our Reactions post.

Your Turn to Be the Judge

poll by twiigs.com

Reactions to Episode 8

Well, what did you think? Anything? Hello? Anyone out there?

Welcome to the Stylista Café!

Not sure why I'm bothering opening the cafe - do you realize how hard it is to find good help these days? But come chat if you'd like. And if you don't like, well, I'll just sit here alone and cry in my coffee.

Click "comments" to enter.

TGIW!

Another Wednesday is upon us, and so cometh another episode of Stylista. Kate's gone, leaving only the bitchery of DyShaun and Megan to amuse us. It's almost not worth watching. Ok, it's *not* worth watching, but we will. Right?

Poll Results for Episode 7

This week's poll results are in and this week you once again chose the boobaceous Kate to have been the worst fit.

And apparently Anne, Joe, et. al. agreed with you.

Stylista Chatter

Stylista Fanatic has an interview with Kate Gallagher.

Here's one from Buddy TV,

And another from About.com.

And don't forget to read Kate's Elle blog about the show.

STYLISTA "Model Behavior" Pictured: Kate Photo: Barbara Nitke/The CW ©2008 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved

Recapalooza!

Adrienne at the News Observer chimes in...

as does the MSN TV blog...

...BuddyTV...

...Watching the CW...

...Television Without Pity...

...our friends at SeenOn!...

and Popcorn in my Bra...

Zap2it has Kate's "booby parade" packing...

Reality TV Magazine wants lasagne too.

And The CW Source wants the show to grow up although there hardly seems time for that sort of thing.

Congratulations to Team 2!

Congrats to Team 2 for winning the editorial challenge. Although your look may have been a little bit safe, your layout was praised by the judges. And a special congrats to Johanna for finally being on a winning team!

Positive comments only about Team 2 here. If you have other opinions to express, you can leave them at our Reactions post.

BCWS Love to Kate

Kate finally gets the boot this week. Although she made great strides in working nicely with others, her tattletale attitude got her nowhere fast.

Sayonara Kate! I'm sure you'll be doing something fun and fabulous with your future.

Please leave positive comments only here. If you have other opinions to express, you can leave them at our Reactions post.

Your Turn to Be the Judge

poll by twiigs.com

Reactions to Episode 7

So what did you think about Kate's outburst and the results of the editorial challenge? Do you agree with the outcome? Tell us what you think here.

Welcome to the Stylista Café

Come on in, grab a drink, and sit by the fireplace while we pick apart another thrilling episode of Stylista!

Click "comments" to enter.

TGIW!

December is now upon us and the days and weeks are going by in a holiday-induced blur. But, let's not forget that we still have a few weeks left of Stylista :::collective groan::: Oh c'mon, it's not that bad! And this week Kate stomps off in a huff - who doesn't want to see that?

Join us in the café tonight, whydontcha?

Episode 7 Preview

Stylista Chatter

Not a whole lot of chatter on Stylista anymore, but Samantha, at Style Television has listed her Top 10 Favorite Moments so far this season.

Recapping the Recap

Did you watch this week's show, or were you all too busy planning the next day's tryptophan coma? Some watched and even bothered to recap it.

Like Watching CW,

Reality TV Magazine

The Celebrity Cafe

and Television Without Pity.

TGIW!

It's Wednesday again - yay!  That means a new episode of Top Chef Stylista! Only three episodes to go, and only five contestants. Make sure to vote as to who you think will win it all.

And join us tonight in the Stylista Cafe, so theminx doesn't have to sit there alone again....

Poll - Who Will Win Stylista?

poll by twiigs.com

Yes, I know we did this already, and you picked Kate that time. Considering she's often the one you love to hate, perhaps readers have changed their minds? Vote and tell us who should win the whole shooting match?

Restyling Stylista

I really enjoy reading all of the recaps, interviews and articles about Stylista but the more I read the more I realize that this show is a bomb. It seems that no one really "loves" it. Oh sure, it's fun to mock the contestants and make fun of Anne's walk, but any genuine admiration for the show is completely absent.

So, what is wrong with Stylista... and how would you fix it?

Okay, I'll start...

Let's begin with Anne Slowey. Oh Anne, I had such high hopes. You are so darned interesting, why not let your true self shine through? Why are you reading those fakey scripted lines? If you really go to work in leggings and a tank top then why are you dressed so uncomfortably for Stylista? And those ridiculously-high shoes! I wonder how many trips and stumbles ended up on the cutting room floor....

theminx says: There's an idea for a challenge - ask the contestants to walk in Anne's shoes.

Your voiceover recap at the start of each episode is awful. Your delivery is painfully stilted. Even worse are your speeches at the dismissal of the departing contestants. It is obvious that you are reading a script. You are mispronouncing words like "egregious." It's humiliating to watch.

theminx: ...not to mention egregious. heh.

We like the "real" you, but not the character that you are playing on Stylista. Please, just be yourself.

Next, the assistant challenges are ridiculous. How were these contestants supposed to know what Anne would like for breakfast, or what she considered her "least flattering" color? Also, would hosting a party for Anne's niece really be part of the job description? Are they applying for a job as Anne's personal assistant? I thought it was a "Junior Editor" position? Do "Junior Editors" really shop for Anne's personal wardrobe? It's just a little hard to believe that these challenges are relevant in any way and the judging is for too arbitrary.

theminx says: they gotta make that "Devil Wore Prada" connection somehow! But at least the book and movie were enjoyable.

A reality show is only as good as the grand prize. I'm not sure what the grand prize job is and at any rate, it doesn't feel like anything that anyone would want.

Then again, that "Flavor of Love" show doesn't offer much of a prize either...

theminx says: now there are some real stylistas! And clocks as jewelry = trendsetting!

The editorial challenges are more interesting, but how about a REAL challenge? The "spreads" that the contestants invent will not actually be in Elle magazine. I'd like it a lot more if they worked on an actual magazine article. Maybe pair them up with editors from the magazines and find out whether their decisions would be the same as the editors. "Which cover photo would you choose?" "What is wrong with this layout?" "Interview this celebrity." For real I mean, not just pretend. That's what the viewer would really like to see.

Here are some ideas for REAL challenges:

"Write ten interview questions for Jennifer Lopez, we're meeting her in 30 minutes."

"Here are two options for the cover photo of the September issue - which is better and why? You have 15 minutes to prepare a one-minute defense of your choice."

theminx says: man, Laura, you're tough!

"Create a Table of Contents for this issue."

theminx says: "Edit this article to be shorter so we have more room for ads in the magazine."

Also, could we please see the REAL Elle offices, not just another reality show set? I'd like to see the real cubicles, the real desks, the real staff and the real closet. I don't care how crappy and crowded and impossible it would be. Just be real.

What's good about the show? Hmmmm... I think the contestants are a good mix. There is certainly enough drama. I like the theme music....

theminx: I'd love some maturity...but I guess that doesn't make for good drama.

So what do you all think? What are your suggestions to make Stylista more watchable, and less of a trainwreck? Or do you think it's perfect just the way it is?

Poll Results

This week's poll results are in and this week you chose Kate to have been the worst fit.

Kate or Megan, make up your minds!

Stylista Chatter

Here's an an interview with Danielle by our friends at SeenOn!

And another one with Danielle by Stylista Fanatic.

Plus a Q&A with one of last week's fired assistants, Devin, from her blog.

STYLISTA "It's All About Who You Know" Pictured: Kate, Danielle and Johanna Photo: Jeffrey R. Staab/The CW ©2008 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights
Reserved

Recapalooza!

This week's recaps courtesy of...

...Stylista Fanatic...

...TV Guide...

...Zap2It...

...BuddyTV...

...The CW Source...

...Gawker...

...Style TV...

...Watching CW...

and Television! You Black Emperor dissects the six remaining assistants (before episode 5, that is).

Stylista "It's All About Who You Know" Pictured: Danielle, Johanna, Kate, Anne Slowey and Megan. Photo: Jeffrey R. Staab/The CW ©2008 The CW Network, LLC. All Rights Reserved

BCWS Love to Danielle

Danielle, you have done a fine job over these last five weeks, and you should be proud of yourself. It's clear that Anne was, even if she had to let you go this week. Your participation in the team editorial challenge was less than she expected from you.

We,however, expect to see good things from you in the future.

Please, positive comments only here. Everything else goes in our Reactions post.

Congratulations to Team 2!

Ashlie, DyShaun, and Megan, you won the editorial challenge this week by making Anne's party look fun and accessible to the reader, plus your title was just too cute. Congratulations on being allowed to stay at Elle for another week.

Please, positive comments only here. Everything else goes in our Reactions post.

Reactions to Episode 5

What did you think of Anne's party? Do you think it was fair that the assistants had to memorize all of those names and facts in only one day? Tell us what you think!

Your Turn to Be the Judge

Was this week's elimination a surprise? Pleasant or otherwise? Well, it's your turn to be the judge and tell us who you think should be gone.

Click here to give us a piece of your mind.

Welcome to the Stylista Café!

Come on in and chat about tonight's episode of Stylista....

Click "comments" to enter.

TGIW!

We're past the halfway point here, with only four episodes to go including tonight's and only five assistants. Why don't you tune in for some drama?

Preview Videos - Episode 5

Stylista Chatter

Photo: David M. Russell/The CW ©2008 The CW Network, LLC. All RIghts Reserved.

Here's another episode 4 recap, this time from Style Television.

Because I'm Addicted spent the night with Joe Zee. No, not that way....

Another interview with Cologne Schmidt...

...and one with William.

Contestant Ashlie has a blog on the Elle site.

Poll Results for Episode Four

Our poll results are in for episode four, and as in weeks one and two, you chose Megalita as the one who should have gotten fired.

Was week three merely an anomaly?

Stylista Chatter

Here's Buddy TV's interview with William.

Stylista Fanatic has one as well.

SeenOn! has an interview with Devin...

...and one with William.

Recapalooza!

If you missed all the fun, there are a plethora of recaps this week:

Fancast

Gawker

The Celebrity Cafe

Stylista Fanatic

The CW Source

Watching the CW

The News Observer

Reality TV Magazine

BuddyTV

TV Guide

Stylista Chatter

Georgetown's blog Vox Populi has a feature on alumni Johanna Cox.

It's been defunct for most of this year, but have you ever checked out Johanna's blog?

BCWS Love to William and Devin

Devin, you have a real talent for reading people and for understanding human nature. Congratulations on your win in the "Assistant's Task."

William, you have charm and appeal that will take you far in this industry.

We will miss you both.

Note: Only positive comments on this post, please! Any other thoughts belong in our Reactions post here.

Your Turn to Be the Judge

In a shocker, two were eliminated this week - Devin and William. But it's your turn to be the judge and tell us who you think should have gotten fired.

Click here to tell us who you think was not the right fit this week.

Congratulations to Team 1!

The "Retro Revival" photo shoot that you styled for Elle was compelling and Anne Slowey deemed it "Excellent." Tory Burch loved your story and your team is the winner in this crucial challenge.

Note: Only positive comments on this post, please! Any other thoughts belong in our Reactions post here.

Reactions to Episode 4

Eight contestants remain - two teams of four - and farewell to two designers! Was this fair? What did you think of the quick challenge? The elimination challenge? The guest judge? What about Devin's "strategy" of placing Kate, Megan and Ashlie all on the same team?

Blogging Stylista Podcast with Cologne Schmidt

Laura K. talks with Cologne Schmidt in our first Stylista podcast. Click here for the interview.

Click here for her website.

TGIW!

After tonight's fourth episode of Stylista we'll be at the halfway mark in the series. What do you think of the show so far? Has your impression of who will win this thing changed in the last four weeks?

Join us in the Stylista Café tonight to chat about the show as it happens.

Episode 4 Previews!

Blogging Stylista at TRESemmé Launch Party

On November 4, TRESemmé launched its Style Seeker Web site. To introduce the site, celebrity style expert Robert Verdi hosted a party that featured brands that fit the Style Seeker profile of affordable fashions and lifestyle treats with maximum impact and minimum remorse.

Blogging Stylista's own NYC Field Reporter, the fabulous Ms Nancy T, attended the party to learn about the website and to tap into her inner Stylista. Nancy had a great time at the event.

"Just so you can see that I was not just in it for the pampering, I bequeath to you each brand’s guidance on upcoming trends:

• TRESemmé’s hair trend tip – shiny, smooth, and simple hair styles.
  
• Timex: The next trend for women’s watches include adaptations of classic and retro men’s watches – larger faces but funkier straps
  
• Kodak: inexpensive but high quality digital cameras for on-line sharing, including their M1093 Digital Camera and Zi6 Pocket Video Camera
  
• H&M (another Stylista sponsor) is partnering with Comme Des Garçons for bags and apparel. Their holiday trend: a more sophisticated look, including black fitted dresses (including one with bicolor mesh petticoats that I WANT) and black leather skirts
  
• CND Nail products (available in salons and beauty supply stores) showed me the runway trend of matching nails to eye makeup color. Color trends: darker shades, whites (but with shine or opalescence to distinguish them from White-Out!) and jewel tones"

Thanks, Nancy, for sharing a peek at your experience with us. I'm dying to check out the H&M/Comme des Garçons bags!

Check out Robert Verdi's Luxe Lounge below - that television is HUGE!

Anne in her Unmentionables

Anne Slowey was interviewed by the NY Observer at a recent party for the opening of a new flagship Juicy Couture shop in NY. Is Ms Slowey merely quirky, or maybe a little...?

Stylista judge and Elle fashion editor Anne Slowey, whose patent leather six-inch platforms drew whispers from the humbly dressed editorial assistants in the room, was amused by the kitschy decor.

"I was just saying that the store is twisted and perverse in that Argento '70s slasher film sort of way," she said. "I keep waiting for one of these ballerinas to freak out with a shard of glass."

We wondered whether Ms. Slowey picks up her carefully prepared lattes on Saturdays in a pair of Juicy sweats.

"No, no. I don't have anything with letters in my closet," said Ms. Slowey. "I'm actually on strike right now at the office until they turn the heat down. I keep a rack of clothes in my office and I'm wearing the same leggings and tank top every day. We're going on about two and half weeks and I'm refusing to change or wash my clothes."

We couldn't figure out if the typically well-kept Ms. Slowey was joking.

"No, really! No one has taken me seriously and it's so hot in the office that I'm in, like, pajamas. It would actually be a step up for me if I got a pair of clean, fresh Juicy sweats," the fashion editor continued. "I haven't gone so far as to bring lingerie, a nightie and bathrobe into the office, but maybe that should be my next move. I've made everyone aware that I won't dress until they turn down the heat!"

Poll Results for Episode Three

This week's poll results are in. After choosing Megalita as the worst fit for Elle in weeks one and two, this week you switched gears. The overwhelming majority of you chose Kate.

How fickle we are. :)

TRESemmé StyleSeeker website – THE Bookmark for the DIY Stylista

Hey, you Stylista fans – TRESemme’s got your back. First, they sponsor your favorite shows (Project Runway too!). Now, TRESemmé launches Style Seeker, a new website to help make high fashion accessible and affordable.

The website’s goal is to offer hair, fashion, and lifestyle tips in a way that is up-to-the-minute but practical. It’s also fun, with sections on:

• Shopping and fashion, including insider looks at Fashion Week, award shows and other industry events from the vantage point of celebrity hair experts, designers, and stylists. A great current post is “Nina Garcia’s Gift Guide”
  
• Fashion trends in entertainment – current stories are “Prescription of the Week: Xanax” and “50 Hairstyle Dos and Don’ts”
  
• Event tips and coverage, including “How to Look Fabulous in Photos” and other DIY tips
  
• Community items including forums, surveys, and contests

Erin Andersen, TRESemmé Fashion and Beauty Consultant, will cover fashion events with a written and video blog, as well as scouting for emerging fashion and beauty trends. From what I’ve seen so far, the content is a worthwhile adjunct to fashion magazines – the magazines primarily fulfill my wish for fantasy; Style Seeker’s fresh feel meets my reality, including tips for us recessionistas.

-Nancy T.

Recapalooza!

Zap2It gives the lowdown on Episode 3.

Stylista Fanatic has a recap up as well.

As does Buddy TV.

Adrienne of the News Observer thinks that being nice is for suckers.

The CW Source reminds us there's no crying in fashion. Well, there's actually a lot.

And one last recap from Style Television.

Stylista Chatter

There's an interview with mean girl Megalita on the MSN TV blog.

Cityfile thinks Fashion Mags are big teases.

Here's an interview with Cologne in the OC Register.

TRESemmé + Stylista

If you haven't already entered, there's a fabulous contest on the TRESemmé site - Watch. Vote. Win

Vote for the most stylish Stylista for a chance to win a $5000 NYC style shopping spree!

Also on TRESemmé.com/stylista you'll find discussion forums and videos featuring Stylista assistants and great hair care tips, too.

Oh de Cologne!

This week's eliminated contestant, Cologne Schmidt, didn't waste any time in moving on with her career in fashion. She's launched a Web site, Oh de Cologne, which features her new clothing line and her adorable necklaces with pendants shaped like - what else - cologne bottles! (My favorite is the de Balboa heart-shaped one.)

Check it out!

BCWS Love to Cologne

Cologne, you showed your sweet side early on by helping Kate out when she left her money at the office. But when you spoke up about the editorial challenge, you seemed very much like the team leader, and you know what that means...the kiss of death. You were blamed for showcasing an aging trend and for not listening to one of your teammates.

You have great potential, Cologne, and when you finish school, you're sure to have a fabulous career someday.

Note: Only positive comments on this post, please! Any other thoughts belong in our Reactions post here.

Congratulations to Team 1!

Congrats to Danielle, Devin, and William for getting to stay with Elle for another fun-filled week of tears, catfights, and drama!

Your mother-daughter layout was the judges favorite. The elements you featured were right on trend for Spring. It looked great overall (apart from that gray corner...) and had all of the required elements.

William deserves a special mention for his styling of the featured garments.

Note: Only positive comments on this post, please! Any other thoughts belong in our Reactions post here.

Reactions to Episode 3

So what did you think about this week's episode, "No More Mr. Nice Guy?" Leave your astute observations and thoughts in the comments....

Your Turn to Be the Judge

If you watched the episode, you know how things went down at the kiddie birthday party. Do you think everything turned out the way it should have? If not, you have a chance to voice your opinion. It's your turn to be Anne Slowey, Joe Zee, and fashion designer Cynthia Rowley

Click here to vote for the assistant you thought was not the right fit this week.

Welcome to the Stylista Café!

Come on in and add your commentary on tonight's episode of Stylista....

Click "comments" to enter.

Episode 3 Previews!

TGIW!

It's Wednesday again, and after the thrill of yesterday's election festivities, it's time to allow a little frivolity back into life. Stylista brings us a third episode of b*tchery (you fill in the vowel), cattiness, and the inability to walk in stilettos!

Join us tonight in the Stylista Café. You know you want to.

Video Interview with Joe Zee

Poll Results for Episode Two

Our poll results are in for episode two! We asked you who should have been banished from the hallowed halls of Elle Magazine (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) and you disagreed with the choice that Anne, et. al., made. Although DyShaun and Jason did get votes from you this time, the person with the majority of votes was once again...Megan.

Is she the gal everyone loves to hate?

Either that, or the majority of our readers are Kate fans.

Stylista Chatter

Revealed! MegAlita can't be that evil - she's been inside a church and emerged unscathed!

Here's another interview with Jason.

Gawker is on crack.

Read Elle's own Malina Joseph's blog for all the sordid details of episode 2!

Kate has a blog too!

Recapalooza!

If you missed this week's episode, Buddy TV has their recap up.

And here's another one from Zap2it.

Stylista Fanatic weighs in with their version of the story.

As does Television Without Pity.

The News Observer's TV blog offers another retelling of the tale.

And Gawker is on crack.

Stylista Fashion

Although it's been said that Stylista is a reality show version of The Devil Wore Prada, it's pretty clear after the first two episodes that Anne Slowey isn't the real demon around there (Ashlie would tell you that it's MegAlita). No Prada yet, but here's a look at what some of the assistants wore.

In both episodes, Jason wore a Burberry Giant Icon Scarf.	Johanna wore this Marc by Marc Jacobs Alessandra Bow Dress
She also sported these long leather gloves	And these fabulous "Burlesque" glasses by Dita Eyewear

Kate wore mostly Bebe in Episode one.

Thanks to our friends at SeenON! for the fabulous fashion info!

Stylista Chatter

Here's an amusing article on Anne Slowey and Stylista from the Waterloo (Ontario, Canada) Record.

An article in the Orange County Register mentions Cologne Schmidt, a Newport Beach native.

The Columbia Spectator thinks Stylista lacks substance and is mindless fun.

How about an interview with Joe Zee on the CW11 Morning News?

And here's a video interview between Joe Zee and Jason C from the CW Source.

BCWS Love to Jason

Ah, Jason, we hardly knew you! You had a rough time this week, with a panick attack that frightened all of the contestants. However, you were strong enough and determined enough to return in time for the judging.

Joe Zee didn't think your photographs properly illustrated the point you wanted to get across. But it did seem unfair that you were making suggestions early on that the rest of your team did not want to hear.

Ultimately, the Elle Triumvirate did not think you were the right fit, and so we bid you adieu.

Congratulations to Team 2!

Another team Editorial Challenge this week in which there was great improvement across the board as far as layout and design was concerned., but the win goes to Team 2. Overall, you had the strongest concept, and the page immediately told the readers what it was all about at first glance. Congrats to William, Danielle, and Cologne!

Your Turn to Be the Judge

Another team challenge and another contestant who will not get to stay at Elle any longer. Who do you think should have been ejected?

Click here to tell us who you thought was not the right fit this week.

Reactions to Episode 2

How did the assistants do this week? What did you think of the challenges? And the histrionics?

Welcome to the Stylista Café!

Won't you join me in the café to chat and be catty?

Snark served weekly; unfortunately, the café is a BYOBAS (Bring Your Own Beverage and Snacks!) establishment...

Click "comments" to enter.