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Cape Town – After a mid-season break How Do I Look SA is back on our screens.
Hosted by Roxy Burger, the show takes unsuspecting fashion victims and transforms not only their style but their lives too.
For many participants it is a rocky road to being cured from their fashion crimes.
In dealing with a stubborn contestant one has to be both sympathetic and empathetic Roxy told Channel24 during a telephone interview.
“Some of the contestants are taken aback they didn’t necessarily bring themselves on the show, they were nominated by their family members and friends. Ninety-nine percent of the time they think there is absolutely nothing wrong with their style.”
For Roxy as the host it is important to listen to the contestants' viewpoints and to try and understand where they are coming from.
“A lot of us will feel threatened if someone said to us you dress terribly and you need to change things up.”
She continues: “The turning point comes when we do the lesson segment in the episode which is customised for each contestant. The penny drops and the person realises this is how the world sees me – and this is what they are communicating about themselves through their clothes. After that they realise that we are not trying to attack them but helping them.”
MORE THAN JUST A FASHION SHOW
The contestants go through an emotional journey on the show and doing it in front of a camera can be daunting.
Roxy says they get a lot of support behind-the-scenes and they let each of them know that they are in a safe and secure environment at all times.
“Very often people think that the show is just about fashion, that it is fun and frivolous, that we just make people over but it is actually more than that, it is life-changing.”
She continues: “I was surprised at just how much these women’s lives changed. Some went on to get new jobs and others revisited old passions.”
While the episode on television is only an hour lots of research and hours goes into pre and post production.
Speaking about the process Roxy says each episode is tailor made for each woman.
She thoroughly immerses herself into getting to know each woman; her life and her struggles.
“I don’t think anyone can question the authenticity of the show. The contestant reactions are always genuine the tears flow and you can’t force someone to cry. I think for me the proof is in the pudding and we put together a show that is truly good,” says Roxy.
At the heart of it How Do I Look SA is more than just a makeover show and Roxy hopes that viewers take away the useful fashion tips but more importantly that they are inspired by the contestants' emotional journeys.
“I hope that viewers will be inspired or that if they are in a rut and not putting the best version of themselves forward that they will relook their own lives and see what they need to change.”
BIGGEST FASHION FAIL
While Roxy’s style is always on point she has also been a victim of fashion fails.
Her most memorable fashion fail is a Durban July get-up which she over accessorised with neon additions.
“It was horrible! It didn’t turn out the way I expected. The one thing that I can say about myself is that I experiment. I think people take it too seriously, it is okay to make a mistake - it’s not the end of the word – it’s just fashion.”
Catch How Do I Look SA Saturdays at 18:10 on E! (DStv 124).
(Photos supplied: Clockwork Media/Roxy Burger)
