'House of DVF' Is Responsible Reality TV. Really.

Diane von Furstenberg is not a woman who fakes anything. She's built a fashion empire from the wrap dress up, and now that empire includes her new reality show, House of DVF, where she'll be mentoring eight girls who are competing to be her Global Brand Ambassador. And how will DVF choose her Brand Ambassador?

Well, in each episode, there will be a "challenge," which comes in the form of a job or a task that takes place during something DVF affiliated. And if they perform well enough, the girls will continue on to compete for another episode. The ones who do the worst will be at risk of being eliminated, leaving a potentially shrinking number of girls per week. But… and it's a big "but," everything is up to DVF, reality rules be damned.

Diane has the option to kick someone out, not kick anyone out, kick all of them out… whatever she wants. She readily admits in the pilot episode: maybe none of these girls will turn out to be worthy Brand Ambassadors. Could you imagine any other reality show doing that? "Neither of you are Top Chef." "You all failed to win The Challenge." "Sorry guys, no Big Brother this year."

House of DVF is following the tradition of other fashion competition shows like Project Runway or America's Next Top Model, except it covers the behind-the-scenes work in a major fashion label. All the PR and planning, and logistics of setting up events and fashion shows, and I'm sure over the course of the season we'll see plenty more, is now up to these girls, who are asked to do anything from serve food at a buffet to taking pictures for the official Instagram.

Diane seems like one of those people who can read if they like someone or not within fifteen seconds. And as she says in House of DVF , "I love all you girls!" by the end of the first episode. Probably the best thing about this show is how the eliminations are arranged. Since everything is up to von Furstenberg, she can decide to keep someone on because they're cute, or cut them because they seem too boring.

And she'll only do it if it's for their own good, because she may have the gentlest way of denying a job application that I've ever seen. She signs a copy of her book, puts it in a monogrammed bag along with some candy and whatever other goodies she has in her office, and sends them on their way with a firm and genuine "good luck." No flipping pictures around or snappily telling one person "You're out." So there's crushing competition between contestants who would jump on hot coals for a chance at the prize, and yet minimal teary outbursts because of the relentless positivity of the host. House of DVF may be the most emotionally responsible reality show ever.

Image: Timothy White/E!; Giphy (2)