Chicago
Woman 'ambushed ' in Wayzata
After embracing hippie attire in the 1970s and the big hair of the
'80s, Chicago native Robin Porter described herself as a fairly "with
it" dresser over the last 15 years.
But the producers of Fox's "Ambush Makeover" had a different
opinion last Thursday when a camera crew of nine surrounded
Porter on East Lake Street in Wayzata.
With the cameras rolling and a boom microphone overhead, "style
agent" and host Nicole Williams scrutinized the woman's fashion
faux pas and then offered her a day of beauty pampering. After a little
prodding from her daughter, Porter agreed to have the show redo her
hairstyle and makeup and outfit her in designer clothes.
A
mother of four and grandmother of four, Porter thought the show's
premise was a little far-fetched.
"I didn't know what to believe," Porter said as the film
crew set up at E Salon to tape her haircut. "I thought it was
some
kind of hoax." She also was a little reluctant about ditching
her plans to baby sit her grandson and wait for the washer and dryer
to arrive at the house she just bought with her husband in Plymouth.
"It was bizarre," Porter said of the offer. "I was
going to walk."
Based
in Philadelphia and owned by 20th Century Fox, Ambush Makeover travels
to different American cities and targets "fashion victims"
for a whole new look. The show also uses a "set-up" format
where family members can nominate each other for a makeover. Banyan
Productions, best known for filming "Trading Spaces,"
was in the Twin Cities filming six segments for the
show last week, while other film crews were in Chicago, New Orleans
and Portland, Ore.
In
addition to shooting around Minneapolis, St. Paul and Bloomington's
Mall of America, Producer Mike Snyder staked out Wayzata after doing
film work there a year ago.
"Once we came here and looked around, we fell in love with
it," Snyder said. "It's got everything we needed."
Ambushed
around II a.m.. Porter was whisked over to E Salon where stylists
transformed her blond highlights to a warm golden brown shorter,
textured hairstyle. The presence of a television crew generated
a number of stares and a few curious passerby who stepped into the
salon to see the filming.
Area
businesses joined into the event by donating items for the film
shoot, according to Susan Eyton, E Salon owner. Wuollet Bakery provided
pastries and Indulge and Bloom donated floral arrangements, Eyton
said.
"I'm
really excited they kept everything in Wayzata," Eyton said.
"It's such a charming city."
After
the new coiffure, it was up the street to Bumbershute to try on
multiple outfits before opting for some new apparel by designer
Roberto Cavalli. "This is really out there for me," Porter
said of the vibrant, animal-print skirt. "I never would have
bought this for myself."
The
day-long transformation concluded Thursday night with dinner at
Chez Foley, where Porter "revealed" her new look to family
and friends. Even with the free clothing, styling and dinner, Porter
said Thursday's events weren't likely to change her future shopping
habits. "I'll be back to my regular life tomorrow," Porter
said.
The
segments taped around the Twin Cities will air locally and nationally
this fall. Ambush Makeover can be seen at I
p.m. Monday through Friday on Fox 9 KMSP.
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