With the new crop of fashion themed shows on television, it’s no wonder that the competition for ratings is stiff. While Bravo’s ‘Project Runway’ has long been the classiest fashion slash reality program on television, now there will finally be some competition. Long time ‘guilty pleasure’ reality TV show ‘America’s Next Top Model’ is kicking things up a notch and getting an upgrade. While overseas the program has turned out versions of itself in dozens of countries with various levels of taste, here in the United States it’s long been a program that focuses on the drama that happens between the girls, not only amongst themselves but with the judges, photographers and challenges. Now, looking to be a bit more fashion focused, this satellite TV favorite program is starting by incorporating a new kind of judge, the high profile celebrity.

In the past fashion icons like Janice Dickinson and Twiggy have appeared on the program either regularly or on occasion as special guest judges, but now it’s looking like some more current fashion icons will be gracing the ‘Top Model’ stage. To start off, designers, celebs and more fashion industry bigwigs like Diane Furstenberg, Patrick Demarchelier, Matthew Rolston, Zac Posen, Roberto Cavalli and more will be showing their faces, as will Victoria Beckham and Jennifer Lopez, who have appeared on the show in the past. Today, the celebrity guest judge has become something that benefits both the program and the celebrities, as opposed to a gig that signifies the celebrity is having trouble finding other work. Perhaps the economic crisis, or the simply value of all publicity being good, has pushed more and more big screen stars and behind the scenes stars to show their faces on television. After all, it makes a big statement if you’re not afraid to look good in HD!

Part of the refurbishment of the show is a drop in ratings over reason years, and with the number of seasons the program has turned out it is no wonder. The other factor is that up until now, season after season has been more or less the same. The program relies on the strong, feisty, dramatic and emotional personalities of the less than classy contestants, instead of focusing on the fashion. Changing all that may bring back old fans, and help the show find some new ones. Even the show’s producer Ken Mok as called ‘Top Model’ and “hidden secret… or guilty pleasure” of fashion, meaning that it’s status is no secret. Hopefully, by giving itself a makeover as the girls are given every season, this satellite TV program can become something that fashionistas the world over are proud to have back episodes of on their DVRs.

Whether the usual structure of the program with its fashion based challenges such as extreme and physically or psychologically demanding photos shoots will stay the same has yet to be seen. Perhaps the judges, with their new celeb A list status will play a more pivotal roll. To see for yourself, tune into the new season on satellite TV this fall!