On the back of reports from WWD this week that the US will see around 20 new fashion- and beauty-related reality shows in their TV screens over coming months, I got thinking about the possibilities that come with 15 minutes of fame. Of course, there will always be those people that disappear from the radar without so much as a catchphrase to their name, but for every thousand Ben Williams (who?*), there’s a Lauren Conrad.
The former Hills star certainly knows a thing or two on how to capitalist on reality-TV stardom. Having left the show in 2009, Conrad has since become somewhat of a fashion and beauty entrepreneur, dabbling in fashion design, fictional novels, and of course, beauty. Miss Conrad’s trademark tousled waves and winged eyeliner ensured success of her non-fiction beauty guide Style, and she has since launched a beauty-focused website, thebeautydepartment.com.
Fellow reality star Kim Kardashian has also capitalised on her small-screen success, venturing into fashion boutiques and fitness videos, as well as having her own fragrance, skin care products and fake tan. Did someone say fingers in every pie?
Most recently, former star of The Real Housewives of New York Bethenny Frankel is introducing her own line of skin and body care products in the US before the end of the year. Using the Skinnygirl” name (taken from her brand of alcoholic beverages), Frankel is launching Skinnygirl Face & Body Solutions and Skinnygirl Mommy in conjunction with beauty firm Lotta Luv.
Say what you will about scripted reality shows, these women have proven there’s plenty of success to be had from saying lines like, Boys are like purses” (thank you, Lauren Conrad).
* Winner of Australian Big Brother series one.