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Fashion tv flopped, and shows on television devoted solely to fashion are few and far between. But now CNN, of all networks, is reviving the genre. A new monthly show hosted by Vanity Fair's Derek Blasberg called CNN Style is launching on April 9th at 9:30am EST.
CNN does have a long-running history with fashion-focused shows. Elsa Klensch hosted a show on style at the network for 21 years until it was canceled in 2001. Alina Cho also created regular specials on CNN called "Fashion: Backstage Pass" from 2011 to 2013.
This Blasberg-hosted show also is tied to CNN's newish fashion, art, and lifestyle site of the same name, CNN Style, which launched in July 2015.
The first episode of the 30-minute show will focus on Hong Kong Art Basel and the contemporary art world, with appearances by Rita Ora (why not) and F1 star Lewis Hamilton. CNN is promising a future show will cover the Met Ball, which sounds like it will be far more interesting for fashion fans.
Update: Blasberg explained to Racked via email why 2016 is the right time for CNN to launch this show. "CNN has already launched a really popular CNN Style digital site last year and has a unique heritage with Elsa Klensch who people knew for style the world over. (And was a childhood icon for me!)," he says. "We’re taking all that heritage and all we’re doing great in digital to make a brand new TV show for 2016. We’re not just going to be covering fashion by the way – our worlds are luxury, autos, architecture, design, art and fashion."
Blasberg also thinks this show will fill the gap right now on television in terms of fashion content. "It’s great that there is a gap right now – we certainly think so," he says. "I honestly can’t think of another show that will cover the breadth of style that we are committed to – from arts to autos to fashion and more. The international angle is hugely exciting too as the events we’re covering and the people we’re meeting will be from all corners of the globe."