Fashion and TV
Fashion, beauty, and other industry-based shows are commonplace on television nowadays, though arguably, Tyra Banks can perhaps lay claim to one of the original fashion-and-TV series, America’s Next Top Model (ANTM). Now, according to Reuters / Hollywood Reporter, Tyra and producer Ken Mok will be making a new reality series about what it takes to become an assistant editor at a fashion magazine. The show will air on the CW Network, home to ANTM, and the eight-episode series will begin production in April, to launch in late spring or summer. In each episode, contestants will participate in an individual competition and in a team challenge in which each squad will submit a page for “The Book,” a mock edition of the magazine. Editors and judges will decide which team’s page is the best, and a member of the losing team will then be eliminated. Network producers are in negotiations with a real fashion magazine, and according to Fashionista.com, rumours are circulating that the favoured book is none other than industry heavyweight ELLE Magazine.

Plastic Makes Perfect
The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) / Vogue Fashion Fund has announced a partnership with American Express. According to FashionWeekDaily.com, American Express has pledged a $500,000 (USD) donation to the CFDA on behalf of the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, which awards grants and mentorship opportunities to fledgling and up-and-coming designers. As part of the initiative and to help raise awareness for the partnership, American Express hosted a number of fashion week specials, including a card-members-only show featuring the designs of Peter Som. Tickets were made available to card members for a mere $150 (USD) each. The company also re-launched its Skybox, a renovated space overlooking New York’s main Fashion Week tent and the Promenade, providing private but up-close access to fashion shows for gold, platinum, and centurion cardholders.