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British Style Genius on the BBC

The BBC is opening this month with a treat: a set of fashion-themed Tuesday evenings on BBC2.

It starts with Twiggy's Frock Exchange. This program is based on the trendy swap parties. Albeit an interesting alternative, it ends up being a cross between What Not To Wear, and Art Attack or any make-it-yourself program. The hosts of the show, Twiggy, Lauren Laverne and Paula Reed, aim at making an homage to eternal fashion, but end up being extremely patronising with the studio audience. I was disappointed to see them practically drooling at the designer items that appear. Don't get me wrong, I love Twiggy, and I am a fan of Lauren's quirkiness and fun presence in The Culture Show, but I do feel this program falls ultimately flat, boring and an illusion of what it could have been.

Additionally, the reinvention of certain frocks is quite inspiring, recycling old pieces of material, re-styling dated frocks, but these alterations do seem, initially, a bit out-of-reach, and the craft section provide tips that aren't any easier to follow.

On the other hand, British Style Genius is a must-watch documentary on the story of fashion in the British isles. Extremely interesting and quite complete, it will go on for 4 more weeks focusing on the different aspects in the craziness and wonder that is British Fashion.

Overall, it is fashion on TV, and not just catwalk shows commented by some boring (and bored) "fashionista". Consequently, I won't complain too much and thank the BBC for its fashion-oriented efforts, begging them at the same time to bring back Mary Queen Of Shops (pretty please??)

Picture: BBC Online