Italia's Next Top Model - Show Format

Show Format

The show is mainly taped in Milan, one of the most important capitals of fashion where the girls stay during the competition.

Each season of Italia's Next Top Model features 14-15 aspiring models and airs in 12-13 episodes. Each episode one contestant is eliminated except for the final episode when two eliminations take place, although double eliminations have also occurred. Makeovers are administered to the girls early in the season, usually after the first elimination. Photoshoots in destinations outside of Milan or Italy are also scheduled, usually in the second half of the competition. Each episode covers the events of roughly a week of real time and features a reward challenge, an elimination challenge (photo shoot, runway, a commercial), then the judging of the girls' performances, which leads to the elimination of one contestant.

An episode usually shows the contestants receiving training in an area concurrent with the job of a model. For example, contestants may get coached in runway walking, applying make-up to suit various occasions, improving knowledge of fashion or fashion business, developing a personal style. A related challenge soon follows to show what the girls have learned, for example a mock runway show, and a judge chooses a winner. She receives some prize, such as clothing, some spare time in Milan, or the chance to phone home since the contestants of Italia's Next Top Model cannot keep in touch with their families or friends while the show is being taped.

In the first three cycles daily episodes were also aired to show the girls' life in their house and teachings given them: usually lessons on runway walk and posing, meetings with a life coach, lessons with nutritionists and physical training.

The judging panel originally included four permanent judges: the host Natasha Stefanenko, Russian former model and actress who is popular in Italy and equals the role of Tyra Banks as the head of the search in the original series; former top model, Gianni Versace's and Giorgio Armani's muse, Nadège du Bospertus who was the harshest and most demanding judge; Micheal Giannini who also appeared in ANTM Cycle 2 go-sees episode and is the art director and talent scout of d’Management Group; the fourth judge is the noted Italian fashion journalist Giusi Ferrè. Other judges often showing up at panel in the first two cycles were the recurring photographers: photographer Ciro Zizzo and renowned photographer Settimio Benedusi and they both also worked alternatively with the girls in many of their photo shoots. In cycle 3 the panel was joined by a guest judge changing each week while the panel changed in cycle 4 when former top model Nadege was replaced by former top model Antonia Dell'Atte, Giorgio Armani's muse in the 1980s and photographer Alberto Badalamenti became another permanent judge.

Several well-known faces from the Italian fashion industry made an appearance on the show, including important fashion designers such as Gentucca Bini for Maison Romeo Gigli, Francesco Martini Coveri, Carlo Pignatelli, Eva Cavalli, Rossella Jardini for Moschino, Chantal Thomass, Maurizio Modica & Pierfrancesco Gigliotti of Frankie Morello, Manuel Facchini for Byblos, fashion designer John Richmond, Elio Fiorucci, Antonio Riva, Dean and Dan Caten from DSquared2 and Antonio Marras. Top models such as Bianca Balti, Kartika Luyet and Alena Seredova made an appearance on the show as well.

At the end of the first cycle Gilda Sansone emerged victorious. Sansone subsequently enjoyed success in the model business working with well-known artists such as photographer Annie Leibovitz.

The second Cycle started in September 2008 with the selection of the final 14 among the 30 semifinalists chosen in the previous castings throughout Italy. Michela Maggioni ended up being the winner, thus getting a one-year-contract with d'Management and becoming the face of Max Factor 2009 Italian campaign.

The third cycle was aired in Fall 2009 with some changes in the format such as the introduction of a public in the studio where judgment and eliminations took place and a runway challenge to determine who among the 2 worst girls each week would be eliminated. It was reported that about 1,500 aspiring models have applied for castings. Anastasia Silveri succeeded in taking the title, resulting the first winner with no appearances in the bottom two.

A fourth cycle was aired in Spring 2011 with a return to the original format with no more public in the studio. Alice Taticchi earned the win, thus gaining a conctract with Fashion Models Milan and an editorial for Lancôme.