Tyra Banks knows absolutely nothing about Canada—it seems that way, anyway
Dear Tyra Banks and America’s Next Top Model,
Let us break it down to you real simply: you kind of suck. You had a great opportunity to showcase Canadian fashion last night on your program after you sent your models to Toronto Fashion Week, but instead you decided to reinforce Canadian stereotypes and promote Jay Manuel’s Attitude by Sears collection (and show an impressively small sampling of Canadian design). You’re in Toronto (Toronto, Canada as it’s named on the show), so, naturally, the elimination photoshoot should include something totally Canadian, which you decided is outfits made of autumnal foliage, complete with a stagehand who squeezes organic maple syrup onto the bodies and faces of willing models. Other than that, the Canadian elements of the show included quick cuts of Yonge Street, the Distillery District and the CN Tower—those places that people frequent who require, respectively, knock-off Starter caps, fair trade coffee and chocolate and expensive breathtaking views. So, tourists.
You sent your models to castings for the Mercedes Benz Start Up challenge (a competition for new designers—Martin Lim, Triarchy and Cassie Dee), Attitude by Sears and Kimberley Newport-Mimran’s Pink Tartan—but you didn’t highlight the real titans of the Toronto design community like Jeremy Laing, Arthur Mendonça or even Joe Fresh. The whole episode seemed like one giant promo video for Sears, complete with a prize consisting of, um, clothes from Sears (what, no Pink Tartan flight mechanic jumpsuit?). It wasn’t great.
Sincerely,
The Goods
![](http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://torontolife.com/style/toronto-fashion-week-americas-next-top-model/&title=Tyra Banks knows absolutely nothing about Canada—it seems that way, anyway&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Tyra.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_129051" align="alignright" width="344" caption="Tyra Banks (Image: Fortune Live Media)"][/caption]
Dear Tyra Banks and America’s Next Top Model,
Let us break it down to you real simply: you kind of suck. You had a great opportunity to showcase Canadian fashion last night on your program after you sent your models to Toronto Fashion Week, but instead you decided to reinforce Canadian stereotypes and promote Jay Manuel’s Attitude by Sears collection (and show an impressively small sampling of Canadian design). You’re in Toronto (Toronto, Canada as it’s named on the show), so, naturally, the elimination photoshoot should include something totally Canadian, which you decided is outfits made of autumnal foliage, complete with a stagehand who squeezes organic maple syrup onto the bodies and faces of willing models. Other than that, the Canadian elements of the show included quick cuts of Yonge Street, the Distillery District and the CN Tower—those places that people frequent who require, respectively, knock-off Starter caps, fair trade coffee and chocolate and expensive breathtaking views. So, tourists.
You sent your models to castings for the Mercedes Benz Start Up challenge (a competition for new designers—Martin Lim, Triarchy and Cassie Dee), Attitude by Sears and Kimberley Newport-Mimran’s Pink Tartan—but you didn’t highlight the real titans of the Toronto design community like Jeremy Laing, Arthur Mendonça or even Joe Fresh. The whole episode seemed like one giant promo video for Sears, complete with a prize consisting of, um, clothes from Sears (what, no Pink Tartan flight mechanic jumpsuit?). It wasn’t great.
Sincerely,
The Goods){kind=link}
You are such a weak writer. It’s hilarious.
Could not agree more. Is there anyone in Canada capable of acerbic, entertaining snark? This site’s attempts are increasingly cringe-worthy.
There’s nothing redeeming about Toronto to begin with so count yourself lucky that you were on tv at all.
again, so?
don’t you write for Toronto Life? shouldn’t you be writing for ‘Americans I’ve never heard of and their opinions about Toronto’ magazine?
I don’t think the word, “Sears” was actually said once.
Why would you put a picture of Whitney Houston in an article about Tyra Banks?
I’d like to know if she replied to your letter.
Thank GOd I don’t watch these shows. I read this article to see what the problem was and while I’m sure Tyra Banks is a moron when it comes to any other “culture” besides that of the Americans, and possibly a moron in general, what exactly were you, Kevin Naulls, hoping for in terms of showcasing Canadian culture?
The squirting of the maple syrup on models sounds so incredibly retarded such that even my imagination can’t help me out here but who knows, maybe it played out differently…but honestly? What would you suggest, Mr. Naulls? That everyone come out draped in a Hudson’s Bay jacket? The Bay isn’t even Canadian anymore…
And to expect Joe Fresh to be highlighted–uh, I’m not even sure what all the fuss with JF is all about! I find the clothes and cuts to be VERY Sears-like (old lady section) and why would any potential top model be in Sears attire other than the fact that her career has yet to launch and she’s probably spent all her money on her portfolio? As much as I have wanted to love Joe Fresh and show my support, I can never seem to find anything I like and can’t figure out why TL keeps talking about JF each and every issue. Showing support is great but sorry: his clothes are so BLAH~
I appreciate the idea of defending Canada but maybe the focus of the article should have just been that Tyra Banks is a fool.