Season 1 (Top Model)

**Top Designer Season 1** was the first season of Top Model, which was a spin-off of the hit show Top Designer.

The season featured 10 models from all over USA.

The winner of the first season received the winning prize of $100,000, a modeling contract with Elite Model Management, and a feature and a six page fashion spread in *Elle* Magazine.

The judges for the first season were model and host, Cindy Crawford, fashion photographer, Sebastian Kim, and booker and scout from Elite Model Management, Gregory Owen.

## Episode summaries

### Episode 1: All About the Models

*First aired May 5, 2011*

Twenty semi-finalists, chosen from thousands of hopefuls, arrived in Los Angeles for the preliminary round of the competition. Among them were Jennifer, a prom queen, Brana, a former soon-to-be-pro basket ball player and a dancer with a rough childhood, Raven. The girls were told that only ten of them would make it to the finals.

The models moved into their New York City loft and got aquinted. Raven revealed how she had to live on the streets for various parts in her life, which put an emotial vibe in the loft.

At the photo shoot the models had to shoot nude with no make-up. Jennifer, Samantha and Erin struggled, and Lindy put the photographer off, by saying how much experience she had, even though not living up to it. Raven and Megan were praised.

At elimination Raven recived best photo with Brana and Lindy landing in the bottom two. Brana was told she looked lackluster, but it was Lindy, failing to live up to her potential, that got her eliminated.

* **First call-out**: Raven Shutters
* **Bottom two**: Brana DeLoren & Lindy Caudle
* **Eliminated**: Lindy Caudle

### Episode 2: The Diva In The House

*First aired May 12, 2011*

The remaining nine models had a runway challenge, where all of them were told they mostly had good walks. Brittany was praised for her elegance and confidence, as the was appointed as challenge winner.

Back at the loft, Brittany procalimed that the models could all just quit, because she was going to win the title. The models found her arrogant and contestants Raven and Natalie quickly named her "the diva in the house", where the episode title finds it's name from.

At the photo shoot the models had to do a swimwear shoot in the cold at the beach. Megan was once again praised saying that she modeled naturally, and Suede was coming out of her shell. Jennifer once again struggled at the photo shoot.

At elimination Megan was rewarded best photo. Jennifer landed in the bottom two, along with Samantha for being to bland and not memerable.Ultimately Samantha was eliminated.

* **Challenge winner**: Brittany Bowen
* **First call-out**: Megan Looh
* **Bottom two**: Jennifer Newman & Samantha Black
* **Eliminated**: Samantha Black

### Episode 3: Make Me Over

*First aired May 19, 2011*

The eight models remaining was given makeovers, which pleased some. Brittany was cranky about her hair being taken out and replacing with a new weave, whilst Suede was sad about her short hair style.

The models had a makeup challenge, where they had to apply a natural casting makeup. Brana won the challenge.

At the photo shoot, the models had to do a high fashion beauty shoot, with extreme makeup and a snake around their necks. Jennifer was praised for acting more natural in front of the camera, which won her best photo. Natalie was scared of the snake, which landed her in the bottom two. Ultimately Brana was eliminated for not shining through in photos.

* **Challenge winner**: Brana DeLoren
* **First call-out**: Jennifer Newman
* **Bottom two**: Brana DeLoren & Natalie Criston
* **Eliminated**: Brana DeLoren

### Episode 4: Work Hard, Play Hard

*First aired May 26, 2011*

This week was all about nutrition and physical fitness. The models were given pointers on how to eat healthy and what to eat and what not to eat. They then had to go for a hard work out, where most models showed tenacity. Jennifer complained about how tough it was and arrived late, which lead to a fight between her and Brittany.

At the photshoot the models had to pose for Reebok in a Sports Luxe photoshoot. Erin, Natalie and Raven were praised, and Erin won bost photo for her high fashion look. Brittany was told she seemed stiff and awkward, which landed her in the bottom. In the end it was Jennifer's attitude and lackluster photo who got her send home.

* **First call-out**: Erin Montano
* **Bottom two**: Brittany Bowen & Jennifer Newman
* **Eliminated**: Jennifer Newman

### Episode 5: Sexual Chemistry

*First aired June 2, 2011*

The week was about acting and playing a character. The models were all taken to an acting coach, where they had to work with their emotions and developing characters. Suede was happy an acting challenge was coming, because she had done theater since she was a child.

The models had to do a short scene. Brittany was laughable, but it was Raven who surprised everyone and won the challenge.

At the photo shoot, the models had to pose in lingerie with a male model, trying to create sexual chemistry.

At elimination Suede was praised for her steamy, but sensual photo, and Raven was praised for her chemistry and serenity with her male model, which earned her best photo. Brittany once again was told he seemed stiff, and Erin was told her high fashion look worked against he in the photo. They landed in the bottom two, but in the end, Brittany was eliminated.

* **Challenge winner:** Raven Shutters
* **First call-out**: Raven Shutters
* **Bottom two**: Brittany Bowen & Erin Montano
* **Eliminated**: Brittany Bowen

### Episode 6: Bonjour Paris!

*First aired June 9, 2011*

The remaining five models traveled to Paris, where they were taken on go-sees across the city. Megan was chosen as the winner.

At the photo shoot, the models had to shoot en editorial embodying the modern, chic, parisian, woman on the go.

At panel Megan and Erin were praised, but it was Megans chic photo who earned her best photo. Raven disappointed by producing her first bad photo in the judges oppinion, but in the end Natalie was eliminated for not measuring up with the rest of the competition.

* **Challenge winner:**Megan Looh
* **First call-out**: Megan Looh
* **Bottom two**: Natalie Criston & Raven Shutters
* **Eliminated**: Natalie Criston

### Episode 7: What The Elle?

*First aired June 16, 2011*

The four remaining models return to New York where they are greeted by Sebastian Kim. He tells them they will be going directly to a photo shoot with him, where they will shoot a cover for *Elle*Magazine.

The following day the models are greeted by their loved ones who come to show support and have dinner with them. All the models are excited to find out about who of them will advance on to the finale and New York Fashion Week.

At elimination all the models are praised. Suede wins best cover, followed by Megan. Raven is saved leaving Erin to be eliminated before the finale.

* **First call-out**: Suede Bagley
* **Bottom two**: Erin Montano & Raven Shutters
* **Eliminated**: Erin Montano

### Episode 8: Finale, Part I

*First aired June 23, 2011*

The three remaining meet with Gregory Owen at Elite Model Management to see the agency one of them would be represented by. They received their portfolios and go on go-sees for New York Fashion Week.

### Episode 9: Finale, Part II

*First aired June 30, 2011*

The models all walk in New York Fashion week.

* **Top Model**: Raven Shutters
* **Eliminated**: Suede Bagley (Runner-Up) and Megan Looh (2nd Runner-Up)

## Summaries

### Call-out order

* In episode 1, the pool of 20 girls was reduced to 10 who would move on to the actual competition.

### Photo shoot guide

* Episode 1 photo shoot: Nude Shoot without Make-Up
* Episode 2 photo shoot: Swimwear at the Beach
* Episode 3 photo shoot: Extreme Beauty Shoot with Snake
* Episode 4 photo shoot: Reebok Sports Luxe
* Episode 5 photo shoot: Lingerie with a Male Model
* Episode 6 photo shoot: Parisian Women
* Episode 7 photo shoot: *Elle*Magazine Cover
* Episode 9 runway: New York Fashion Week.

### Makeovers

* **Brana** - Darker color and shoulder lenght hair.
* **Brittany**- Naomi Campbell inspired weave.
* **Erin**- Blonder hair and bleached eyebrows.
* **Jennifer**- Beach blonde blow out.
* **Megan**- Trimmed and thinned.
* **Natalie**- Darker and layered.
* **Raven**- Shaved off.
* **Suede**- Pixie cut.