Thursday, March 10, 2011

annie wilshaw

I don't go a bundle on the usual fare of 'fashion reality tv' mainly because I feel it's all a bit of a con (The City? The Hills? Quite clear to the everybody and their Uncle that the Teen Vogue sandwich boy probably played a bigger part in the production of the magazine than Lauren or Whitney..) and even when I can look past this often there is nothing likable about the characters to keep my interest. Channel 4's newbie The Model Agency however is different. I will gladly dedicate hours of my time to watch this show and rather than coming away feeling a little bit dirty and repulsed by how horrible some people in the world are (as with the others) I feel like I've gained genuine insight into life at Premier model agency. The close knit nature of the team is really touching, and though there are clear tensions between the editorial and commercial sides of the agency and occasional silliness, everybody seems likable and driven. Of course the show has been edited to follow a rough narrative but it never feels shamefully overdramatised. Premier founder Carole's dirty laugh and Senior booker Paul's naughty anecdotes provide constant entertainment without being malicious and are inducive of moments of realisation that you've been grinning at the screen and laughing along as if you're part of the team.

Despite a few blips in the first episode when she came across as a bit of an attention seeker within the team, Director of New Faces Annie Wilshaw has grown on me. And I can't stop thinking about the Giles dinosaur bag from a couple of seasons back after seeing her tote is around New York in episode 2, very casually worn with a black top, ankle grazing slacks and sandals. As far as lazy afternoons watching trashy TV and consuming copious bowls of cereal goes, The Model Agency is a delicious accompaniment and refreshingly guilt free.

13 comments:

Samantha said...

not a big reality tv person, but i'm in love with annie a little bit. i think its her slightly croaky/sexy voice maybe..

Katie said...

I like The Model Agency, great tv and like you said, pretty insightful. But it scares me how skinny they all are, especially Annie. She's clearly had/has an eating disorder, and I know its not like she can do anything about it, its just..well, like last night's episode when she talked about how she felt sick cos she'd eaten so much and then procceded to call herself a 'fatty'..WTF?! The warped mindframe is kinda off putting no?

Sophie said...

Oh gosh, I have such a girl crush on her. It's just how she has that lazy messy look, but still looks so pulled together

Anna said...

LOVE IT longlonglong time! facking this and facking that, its facking brilliant x

Anna said...

p.s. carole is so joni mitchell, non?! xxxx

blue roses said...

i would love to check out this show, not only for the fashion, but for the representation of body dysmorhpia issues, whether it be an open discussion surrounding an inherent reality of the industry and daily societal pressue, or whether it be hidden and covert and taboo, or overly politically correct and feigning some type of "we have moved beyond and improved that" attitude. thanks for the great post, as usual.

http://dallianceswithsuitsandskirts.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I think annie looks like you

fuschiaaa said...

I'm stunned by this review, I watched the first episode and found it to be everything you said it isn't, maybe I'll have to give it another go, especially if Annie's behaviour was only a blip because frankly that was the main reason that I turned it off three quarters of the way in.

Kate Sinclair said...

Absolutely loving this programme! Just finished watching episode 3 on 4OD. & love Annie too, I like her effortless style, she's not a stunning 6ft model, but shes one of those people who looks effortlessly cool in a tee & jeans!
Love the picture of her in this post too!
x

Danni said...

I don't half love this show, and I'm so glad you clarified that it was a dinosaur bag - i was pondering over it for ages! x

tabitha said...

Thoroughly agree with your post! I am really enjoying watching this programme and Annie has also grown on me big time!

Lou & Una x
glamrocksluna.blogspot.com

Natalie said...

We must be watching a different show!! Annie is my least fave and I wish there was a bit more about the models/modelling and less about the catty dramas in the office!

Amy said...

I wondered if anyone could tell me where Annie got her watch? It hs three studs on it and another girl on the show wears the silver version. thanks xx