On each episode of TLC’s “What Not to Wear,” stylists Clinton Kelly and Stacy London pluck a fashion victim from obscurity, teach him or her some fashion rules and then give the contestant $5,000 to spend in Manhattan stores on new garb.
But on their “Dream Wardrobe” special airing Dec. 5, Kelly and London give Lisa Smith Craig $50,000 to spend in Paris.
“It really was interesting to spend what we considered to be an unlimited budget,” London told The Associated Press recently. “A lot of the same rules do apply. A lot of the stuff that happens in this episode re-establishes my faith in the show.”
“Lisa was guilty of wearing too many pieces that screamed, ‘Look at me! I’m wearing a label,”’ Kelly said.
Craig’s selection for the rags-to-riches special wasn’t a matter of charity — it was all about taste. London said they sought a participant who wouldn’t squander the cash on bad fashion in the City of Lights.
“Our show is about clothes,” London told the AP. “Would we like to give someone a house? Yeah. Absolutely. But that’s not our show.”
The episode was filmed over nine days in Paris. Craig, 39, with the help of Kelly and London, made purchases at boutiques such as Le Coq, Armani and Dior. Craig, who works in the music industry, also bought a Prada dress that she’ll probably slip into for the Grammy Awards.
“There were 12 pairs of shoes purchased,” said London.