Not since The Hills has reality television with a fashion focus been so enticing. While that US-based show was really a precursor to the reality format we're now extremely familiar with (and which have become commonplace on our screens), there's a new iteration of fashion reality show for 2020.
The tears, tantrums and takedowns of yore have been replaced with a spirit of positivity designed to uplift and reassure. Perfect, in many ways, for the unknown – and anxiety-ridden – waters of our current time, dominated by coronavirus and the self-isolation it has brought about.
Where once, fashion was the environment in which bitching, obnoxious behaviour and a whole lot of yelling could thrive, the new breed of TV is more concerned with self-esteem, diversity and people's dreams. Yes, really. Taking the original idea of Project Runway into a new generation, both Netflix's Next In Fashion and Amazon's new Making The Cut present a new kind of competition in order to find fashion's next biggest star.
So, in the absence of fashion shows (the upcoming Cruise presentations have been cancelled) and any real news of note (everybody is stuck inside, after all), fill the gap with one of these excellent shows.
The Best Fashion TV To Watch Now
1 of 3Next In Fashion, Available on Netflix
Alexa and Tan prove to be the duo we never knew we wanted, thanks to their irreverence, humour and the ability to laugh at themselves. They host this competition, in which 18 designers compete to win $250,000 from Net-a-Porter, which will also stock the winning designer's creations. There are cameos from brilliant designers in each episode (Tommy Hilfiger and Kerby Jean-Raymond from Pyer Moss, for example) and, of course, Alexa's outfits are as watchable as the show itself.
2 of 3Making The Cut, Available on Amazon Prime Video from 27 March
Starting this week, Making The Cut is hosted by Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn (both formerly of Project Runway) and follows 12 aspiring fashion designers in their bid to be crowned the winner of the show. The winner will receive $1 million to invest in their business and will create a collection for Amazon. The likes of Naomi Campbell, Nicole Richie and Chiara Ferragni all feature, but one of the most interesting points of the show is that it's instantly shoppable. A winning look from each week will be available to buy (as limited editions) from Amazon's Making The Cut shop.
3 of 3Queer Eye, Available on Netflix
Chances are, you've already seen this. But if you haven't, now's the time to binge on the Fab Five, who will make you feel instantly better about most things. At its essence, it's a makeover show. But it's so much more emotional than that, and, among many other things, it celebrates the power of clothes and their ability to make you feel great about yourself.