Searching for bad taste around town

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Everyone has that friend who can’t seem to throw out their tie-dyed class of 2006 T-shirt or that pair of jeans that is more holes than denim. But don’t fear, professional help is just a quick application away.

For its 250th episode, TLC’s television show “What Not to Wear” is doing a national contestant search, and is looking to Lawrence for contestants.

“It’s a nice cross section of America our viewers can relate to,” Lauren Ranzino, casting associate producer for “What Not to Wear,” said.

Mary Hopkins, Prairie Village sophomore, said “What Not to Wear” was her favorite show on TLC.

“I don’t think I would want to nominate anyone,” Hopkins said, “They can be pretty brutal.”

Hopkins said Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, the show’s hosts, taught her how to dress. She said she took advice from the show, such as wearing dark denim, straight leg jeans.

Alexa Backman, Manhattan freshman, said she learned from them too. She said she now knows shoes don’t have to match bags or pants.

“I like to see how they do makeup to see if it’s like I do it,” Backman said.

Ranzino said they were looking for America’s worst dressed person to make over on the show, but they also wanted a unique and eclectic character. Ranzino said they often look for “character dressers,” such as people who dress “gothic” or “hippie.” She said what stuck out to producers was not just the person’s wardrobe. She said they also looked at the person’s story and what made them unique.

The application process includes submitting at least three full body photos, a video that gives the applicant the opportunity to show their lack of style as well as their personality, a questionnaire and a waiver.

Individuals are also encouraged to secretly nominate women they know who have bad style. They don’t necessarily have to be from Kansas.

Ranzino said the show only chose to cast women, so men need not apply. The last day to apply is September 25.

The application is available on the show’s website, http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/whatnottowear/whatnottowear.html, or you can e-mail the required materials to Lauren Ranzino at lranzino@bbcproduction.com.

— — Edited by Betsy Cutcliff

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