Sexy models take Lebanon

In a high-end hotel in downtown Beirut, fearful of a new wave of assassinations, Lebanese lawmakers are holed up awaiting to complete a pivotal political mission, the election of a new president.

But many eyes in the Arab world these days are focused on another group confined to fancy digs. In an upscale villa atop a nearby mountain, a television show brings together the Arab world's hottest models and trendiest fashion designers to compete on a popular new reality television show called Mission Fashion.

Now in its second season, the show chronices the daily lives of models and designers at an impromptu fashion school. It details personal squabbles as well as budding friendships and steamy romances, all filmed and broadcast live on a 24-hour channel linked to the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation.

Each evening at 7 p.m. on LBC's main channel, a one-hour show features the day's highlights, which include skinny young models weeping from stress or designers gossiping about their rivals' lack of taste.

Once a week, the designers get to show off their models and designs for a jury and the audience. Viewers all over the Arab world can vote by sending text messages for their favorite candidate.

Lebanese designer Elie Saab, who did Halle Barre's dress for the 2002 Oscar ceremony, delicately oversees the work and squabbles of the models and designers.

The models' sultry pouts and ferocious catfights have proved a welcome distraction from Lebanon's ongoing political turmoil, which is the fodder of the country's many television stations.

Last Friday, minutes after broadcasting the President's end-of-term speech in which he warned that the country was in "a state of emergency," LBC aired a special live edition of Mission Fashion. Arab pop music blared as dancers appeared on the screen.

The show has not been without controversy. Blogger Fun Lilliy, criticizes the show for giving air-time to super-skinny models.

Haven't they heard about Anorexia Nervosa which in some countries they are actually fighting the Fashion industry against promotion of excessive weight loss...and isn't part of the Arabic woman's appeal...her curves[?]

— Raed Rafei in Beirut