SABC1 has bought the format rights from Sony Pictures/CBS to create a new reality series to find the “design trendsetter of tomorrow”. The Cut will pit 16 style-savvy contestants against each other in an attempt to be awarded the chance to design for a leading company.
Unlike the American version of the show (currently airing on SABC1 on Tuesdays at 22h00), which has international fashion mogul Tommy Hilfiger as the presenter, South Africa’s The Cut will be presented by a facilitator. This personality will be have an impeccable sense of style but will leave all the design details and decisions to the judging panel. The panel will consist of three permanent judges, drawn from the design/fashion world and a weekly “specialist” judge. The specialist judge will be an expert in the particular design discipline being featured as the task for that week.
In the 13-episode series that is scheduled to air in August, contestants will need to show their unique sense of style and creativity to prove they have the necessary tools to survive and succeed in the high-stakes design industry. Unlike the international production and shows such as America’s Project Runway, The Apprentice, etc. the contestants will not be living together in an apartment, but will rather group for the “Style Council”.
Another essential diversion from the original format is that The Cut will not rely as heavily on fashion, but look into the broader world of design, specifically as it relates to the South African reality. The Cut aims to set weekly tasks that pertain to time of broadcast on the SA design calendar.
Besides the type of task objectives set in the original format, for instance, billboards, interior decoration, dress design, re-creating an “era” of design, recycling, etc, the design tasks in the local context will be very solid and will be given a truly SA flavour.
