LIGHTS, CAMERA, FASHION!!!!

MTV ENTERS THE DRAMATIC WORLD OF FASHION WHEN ITS NEW SERIES “STYL’D” PREMIERES SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1 AT 10PM ET/PT

New York, New York (October 15, 2009) What happens when you mix celebrities, high profile stylists, and a group of eager junior stylists vying for a coveted job at the prestigious Margaret Maldonado Agency? Find out when MTV takes you inside the competitive world of fashion in the new series “STYL’D” premiering on Sunday, November 1 at 10pm ET/PT. The series follows five junior stylists: Gary, Tara, Janna, Brett, and Cody, as they embark on the experience of their lives working for Jen Rade, Eric Archibald, and Julie Weiss, the senior stylists for the Margaret Maldonado Agency.

“STYL’D” reveals the drive and passion these junior stylists have for fashion and the lengths they will go to in order to come out on top, including backstabbing fellow co-workers and flirting with disaster. “STYL’D” will also journey into the personal lives of each junior stylist as they balance romance while struggling to make ends meet. Each week, the junior stylists are assigned the difficult task of assisting with the styling of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Soulja Boy, and Ashley Tisdale for various events including music videos, movie premieres and red carpet events. The stakes are high, and only one budding fashion powerhouse will receive a contract to work for The Margaret Maldonado Agency.

The cast of “STYL’D” is:

Senior Stylists:

Jen Rade: Known as one of the premiere stylists in the business, Jen’s work has been in numerous music videos for clients such as: Pink, Marilyn Manson, LL Cool J, Dave Matthews Band, and Snoop. She has also worked with one of the world’s most iconic supermodels, Cindy Crawford, and reality television star/pop culture phenomenon, Kim Kardashian. Jen has also worked on editorial shoots for Esquire, Marie Claire, GQ, CosmoGirl, Interview, and Parade Magazine. Her high standard of excellence and no nonsense work ethic will definitely keep the junior assistants on their toes!

Eric Archibald: Eric Archibald got his styling start in 1994, inspired mostly by his favorite designers. Since then, Eric draws on his inspirations to create his signature aesthetic that conveys a classically sexy and chic look with an edge. Working with diverse clients such as Diddy, Mariah Carey, Usher and Britney Spears, Eric’s work has been featured in media ranging from music videos and tours to television and commercials to personal appearances and editorials that include Harpers Bazaar, People, GQ, Glamour, and Marie Claire.

Julie Weiss: Don’t let her youthful look fool youJulie Weiss means business! Her unique styling keeps celebrity clients coming back for more and her passion for fashion is unmatched. Clients have included Terrance Howard and an Eva Longoria Parker film. She has also worked with artists, including Britney Spears, Kayne West, Kid Rock, Jessica Simpson, NKOTB, and The Pussycat Dolls.

Junior Stylists:

Gary – Gary was born to be a stylist. A previous student of Parsons Design School, he not only has a natural eye for fashion but also the experience to back it up. Dedicated and driven, upon completion of his internship at Vogue, Gary turned down a permanent position with the publication. Although he does not intentionally seek out drama, he has absolutely no problem bringing it and willingly volunteering unwelcome opinions. As the competition narrows, look for Gary to give all the junior assistants a run for their money.

Tara – Tara is quirky, dark, silly and articulate; this punk rock Persian chick is all attitude and sass. She has an eccentric sense of style, and idolizes Patti Smith, Courtney Love, and Axl Rose for their daring/dirty take on fashion. Tara is likable because she’s funny, unique and doesn’t apologize for who she is, but her outspoken nature often gets her into trouble. Not everyone appreciates her candor, especially when her witty zingers are directed at them. With the most in depth knowledge of the fashion world, the other junior stylists see Tara as the one to beat in this junior assistant program.

Janna – Blond, bubbly and an ex-cheerleader, Janna is a true “Valley” girl. Growing up a military brat, she did not establish her taste for fashion until she was 12-years old. Now Janna is turning fashion into a career, studying at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles. She’s fine stabbing her co-workers in the back to advance her career, but her inability to keep secrets and tendency to gossip will definitely cause a stir. If Janna wants to win this contract, she’s going to have to play tough because she has a lot to learn about fashion compared to some of the other junior stylists.

Brett – Kansas City born and bred, Brett couldn’t wait to get out of the Midwest. He moved to Los Angeles with $500 in his pocket, and even had to live in his car for three months to make ends meet. He has worked a lot of retail in his life, from Abercrombie and Fitch, to Ed Hardy. He’s not afraid to embrace more daring fashion, and equates his style to a male version of Betsey Johnson. The other junior stylists better watch out because Brett has his eye on the prize and will stop at nothing to get that contract.

Cody – Cody is the new guy in town. Born into a family with roots in fashion, styling is something Cody has always wanted to do. As the resident single straight guy in the program, Cody is ready to take advantage of the perks that come with working in a predominantly female industry. An incorrigible flirt, ladies better beware when he is around. Despite his flirtatious nature, Cody is a serious contender and is ready to do what it takes to win.

Is your wardrobe in a rut? Head over to www.styld.mtv.com as the cast offers fashion tips and exclusive interviews with insider information from the show. Viewers can also checkout the series trailer, cast photos, bios, and more. Starting November 1st, you can view full episodes on www.styld.mtv.com and see cast reactions to each episode.

“STYL’D” was created for MTV by Jonathan Murray and Jeff Jenkins of Bunim-Murray Productions. Russell Jay is the Co-Executive Producer for Bunim-Murray Productions. For The Margaret Maldonado Agency, Margaret Maldonado is Co-Executive Producer and Kent Belden is Producer. Liz Gateley, Lauren Dolgen and Morgan Selzer are the MTV executives overseeing the project.

Source: MTV Press Release