How is ANTM perceived in the fashion industry?
The fashion industry doesn’t take the show seriously. AJ (C7) was told by her modeling agency to deny she was associated with the show because it is viewed by the fashion industry as a big joke (Source: Reality News Online). Elyse had clients abruptly hand her portfolio back when they come upon the snake shot from the show (Source: TWoP Post). Many designers don’t want anything to overshadow their brand or the looks they’ve worked hard to create. When Chanel or Louis Vuitton casts a model for a campaign they want the first thought in your head to be about the product, and not “That’s Jaslene from Top Model!” Unless a fledgling designer really needs that boost from a semi-celebrity, a Top Model winner could actually hinder an expensive campaign (Source: E! Gossip). Indeed, the agencies for Michelle (C4) and Brittany (C8) have changed their names to distance the women from Americas Next Top Model. Even within the world Top Model, ANTM doesn’t seem especially respected. The final three of
