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So far this spring, you're already tuning in for Fashion's Night In—Wednesdays on Bravo with The Rachel Zoe Project and It's a Brad, Brad World. Possibly you are also already half a season into Dukes of Melrose. And you're probably not tuning in as NBC's Fashion Star limps along. But as those seasons hit their midpoint, a new crop of fashion TV is already underway or about to premier. Here's a handy primer:
Mr. Selfridge, Sundays, 9pm on PBS
The newest addition to PBS's "Masterpiece" series—a.k.a, the property bringing us Downton Abbey—is a lushly produced period dramatization of the life and times of one Harry Gordon Selfridge. Yes, that Selfridge: The founder on Britain's legendary department store Selfridges. The action takes place in 1908 and stars Jeremy Piven as the retail mogul famous for stirring up department stores with super controversial notions like openly displaying cosmetics. The horror!
Mad Men, Sundays, 10pm on AMC
Duh, Mad Men, it started on Sunday. Everyone's favorite, the show follows the lives and loves of heavy-drinking, super-stylish ad executives. Things are getting trim and mod and even more chicly '60s. And, while you're watching, you can play an Is-John-Hamm-wearing-underwear-or-not drinking game. If you missed the premier, the entire first episode—all two hours of it—is streaming on AMC.
What Would Ryan Lochte Do?, April 21st at 10pm, on E!
Ryan Lochte is, to quote that original "I Kissed a Girl" song, "dumb as a box of hammers—but he's such a handsome guy!" Mr. Handsome, star of Olympic swimming, is coming to E! with a brand new reality show that is sort of mostly about his just sort of filming said reality show. But, also—and here's why you might care—the show follows Lochte as he goes about launching his own clothing line, which may be Ralph Lauren/Americana-inspired or just consist of a bunch of cheeky tees.
XOX, Betsey Johnson, May 12th at 8pm, on Style.
Dubbed a "docu-series," XOX follows Betsey Johnson and daughter Lulu as they navigate their sometimes-strained and always co-dependent working and personal relationship. Beyond that, the reality show—let's just call it a reality show, it's totally going to be a reality show—should shed some light on what's next for Johnson and her eponymous company post-bankruptcy.
Resale Royalty, May 12th at 9pm, on Style.
So, this is another show about people who buy and resell expensive clothes. This time around it's the eccentric and emotional staff at Women's Closet Exchange, a St. Louis-based resale shop run by a woman and her daughters. It doesn't sound like a whole lot but chances are, if you're watching Betsey, you'll stick around for this. Fair Warning.
Behind the Candelabra, May 26th at 9pm, on HBO
HBO's next original film is Steven Soderbergh's just insane-looking Liberace biopic starring Michael Douglas as the flamboyant pianist and Matt Damon as his young lover Scott Thorson. No, this isn't a fashion film; it's not even a television series. What it is, however, is 90 minutes or so of sequins, caftans, skimpy bathing suits, hair moments, jewelry, cosmetics, tanning, plastic surgery, Vegas, and, well, fabulous. It's going to just be fabulous.
· 6 Fashiony TV Shows To Hold You Over Until Spring [Racked]
· All the Ways 'Mr. Selfridge' Is in no Way Like 'Downton Abbey' [Racked]
· Mad Men Is Back on Sunday! Get Betty's Look for the Premiere [Racked]
· Fashion's Night In [Racked]