Corporate Press Release Theater: Top Design Gets a Renovation

Out with the Oldham; Hicks bumps Top Design's former host down to mentor. / Bravo

From Bravo's upfront presentation yesterday comes news that, as foreshadowed earlier, Project Runway and Top Chef's home-decor sibling Top Design will return with a new host. Details after the jump:

CELEBRATED MODEL AND DESIGN AFICIONADO INDIA HICKS NAMED HOST OF THE SECOND SEASON OF "TOP DESIGN"

Famed Designer Todd Oldham To Serve As Mentor To The Contestants

Designers Jonathan Adler, Kelly Wearstler And Editor In Chief Of ELLE DECOR Magazine, Margaret Russell Return As Judges

NEW YORK ˆ April 15, 2008ˆ Bravo's hit series "Top Design" is back with a new season, a new look in high-definition, new producers and a new host. Celebrated fashion model and design aficionado, India Hicks, will host the interior design competition series and world-renowned designer Todd Oldham returns as the contestants' mentor. Jonathan Adler will reprise his role as head judge along with Margaret Russell, Editor In Chief of ELLE DECOR magazine, and interior designer Kelly Wearstler as series judges. "Top Design," produced by the Emmy-nominated Magical Elves ("Project Runway," "Top Chef") is currently in production and is set to air on Bravo in third quarter 2008.

[Ratings-spin paragraph redacted.]

"Top Design" host India Hicks, is the daughter of famed interior decorator David Hicks and Lady Pamela Hicks. Born in London, England, she was named in honour of her grandfather, Lord Mountbatten of Burma, the last Viceroy to India. Her godfather, HRH Prince Charles, chose Hicks to be a bridesmaid in his wedding to the late Lady Diana Spencer in 1990. Over the past ten years, Hicks has enjoyed a successful career as a fashion model, being photographed by some of the world's most renowned photographers for the industry's top fashion campaigns including Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic, and Bill Blass.

Apparently Top Design has learned from Runway and Chef that you can't go wrong with a model as host (Top Chef was recast in its second season too, with Padma Lakshmi taking over from Katie Lee Joel). Oldham, a nice guy who always seemed awkward in the reality-host role, will probably be better suited to working as the nurturing mentor.

Meanwhile, speaking of Project Runway, Bravo was still behaving yesterday as though the show were staying with the network, despite the show's currently-litigated move to Lifetime. It's a case of Top Denial.