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Not too long ago, JenB wrote about a Canadian show called How to Look Good Naked. She gave the show, and its host, British stylist Gok Wan, a rousing endorsement.
I am struggling with words to describe Gok. He is amazing. I felt comfortable with him right away through the TV! He casually talks about boobs and tummies and how great your ass is, like he is talking about making a risotto. He is matter of fact about it, which I think is what makes him sound (and I believe is) so sincere. In talking to participant Vikki, he says her tits are fabulous and she should flaunt her cleavage and not hide it under gigantic shirts that give her no shape and make her look like a frump who has given up. “Love the cleave!” her tells her. I laugh, and look at my own gigantic cleave. Perhaps I can get closer, in a more personal fashion, to my own big cleavage. Maybe, just maybe, even love it.
BlogHer readers responded with enthusiasm, crying out for something similar on American TV. And now we've got it: How to Look Good Naked, hosted by Carson Kressley, premieres on Lifetime on January 4. I've seen the first episode, and I have to tell you, I love this show. Love. It. Seriously.
I love it primarily because of Carson Kressley. I like Clinton Kelly and Tim Gunn, but I love Carson Kressley; while I do NOT always agree with his style choices, I can't argue with his attitude. He is funny and kind and totally loveable, and he tosses off lines like, "I'm your fairy godstylist and you're my Cinderella" in a completely unscripted tone. He takes the participant's issues seriously but he doesn't allow them to bog down the show. He listens, he sympathizes, he offers solutions, and then he cracks a joke. I like that in a stylist. Or a person, really.
While some bloggers have high hopes for How to Look Good Naked, others are skeptical. Lynette at The Fun Times Guide is wonders how much she will wbe willing to invest in the show: "I'm honestly not sure how much TV time I want to devote to watching women come to grips with their "real" selves though. It might get too deep for my viewing pleasure. I mean, there's usually a lot of 'baggage' that goes along with a poor self-image. That could result in some fairly 'heavy' segments throughout the show." I had the same hesitations, but I was pleasantly surprised by the she's overall tone; it is upbeat and funny and fluid. And again, I think Carson Kressley is the key.
How to Look Good Naked is both another of the many reform-your-wardrobe style shows currently clogging the airwaves and something completely different. While both Tim Gunn and What Not To Wear touch on participant's issues about body image and shape, Kressley's show is ALL about learning to love -- and dress -- the body you are in. Viewers will come away from the show with fewer tips for how to camouflage hips and thighs, but with more of a sense that there are parts of them that are beautiful and sexy. And honestly, I found that refreshing; we all know The Rules, but how many of us -- even when we are FOLLOWING The Rules -- really feel GOOD about our bodies?
At various points in the show, Kressley takes to the street to ask random passers by what their favorite body part is. I love this, too -- I love the idea that every single one of us has at least ONE part of our body that we feel good about, no matter what our issues with the rest of our parts may be. It's a good exercise, too, that identifying of the one good part. Kressley's point, of course, is that you should dress to highlight the great parts of your figure, because that will build your confidence about the not-so-great parts, and will help you to move past your focus on the flaws. It's not a new idea, but his approach -- which I promise will have you laughing out loud -- is indeed new.
Want to see for yourself? BlogHers can do just that, with a special invite to preview the show.
