The first season of the Italian reality television show Italia's Next Top Model premiered on SKY Vivo on 4 December 2007 and concluded on 26 February 2008.
The show was hosted by Russian former model and actress Natasha Stefanenko. The other permanent judge was Michael Giannini, the art director and talent scout of model agency d’Management. The recurring judges were photographer Ciro Zizzo, former model Nadège du Bospertus, and Italian fashion journalist Giusi Ferré.
The season was won by Gilda Sansone, who received a one-year contract with the d’Management Group as well as a spread in Italian fashion magazine Elle.
Episodes
Episode 1 First aired December 4, 2007
After arriving in Milan, the contestants meet Natasha Stefanenko and Michael Giannini, who welcome the girls to the loft that will be their home during their modeling competition. After the first elimination challenge is announced, the girls improvise a runway show by creating a look with their own outfits and make-up.
In the judging room, Natasha introduces the judges, among whom is Danda Santini, editor of Italian Elle. Most of the girls are criticized for how they walk and look. Lorena is praised for her walk, although found to be a bit aggressive, Elga is said to have a good basic walk, Tiziana is noticed for her look despite her insecurity, and Alessandra is complimented for regaining her composure after tripping.
Francesca L. and Annalisa are ranked as the bottom two for their performances and Annalisa is eliminated for the look she chose.
Bottom two: Annalisa & Francesca L. Eliminated: Annalisa Guest judge: Danda Santini, editor of Italian Elle magazine
Episode 2 First aired December 11, 2007
The girls are sent to the Aldo Coppola hair salon to receive makeovers. Some, such Elga and Francesca L., whose hair is cut short, are excited and accept changes, while others, such as Lorena, have difficulties. Elena dislikes her blonde-dyed hair and shouts that she does not want to have her hair cut.
Afterwards, the contestants have their first photo shoot with photographer and judge Ciro Zizzo. They choose outfits and makeup reflecting their styles or personalities. Some contestants, such as Tiziana, have no issues with the photo shoot, while others, such as Agnese, find it difficult.
Contestant Style Agnese Ironic Alessandra Techno Elena Feline Elga Captivating Fiorella Romantic Francesca B. Oversized Spirit Francesca L. Simple Gilda Sexy Laura Rebel Lorena Sensual Manuela Scamp Sara Elegant Tiziana Tomboy
At the judging panel, former model Randy Ingerman reprimands some of the girls, believing that their looks are not original enough. Tiziana impresses the judges, while Elena is scolded for her demeanor and for appearing unprofessional.
Agnese and Elena are placed in the bottom two, with Agnese being eliminated for failing to portray her personality in her photos and not putting effort into the photo shoot.
Bottom two: Agnese & Elena Eliminated: Agnese Guest judges: Randy Ingerman (former model) and Marta Citacov (fashion journalist)
Episode 3 First aired December 18, 2007
The twelve remaining girls learn makeup techniques from Pablo Ardizzone, a makeup expert. They then take part in their first reward challenge by testing and demonstrating their makeup skills. Manuela wins the challenge and picks Francesca B. and Sara to enjoy a dinner in a restaurant in Milan.
The aspiring models are also told that they will be posing in an Adam and Eve–themed photo shoot where they will interact with a professional male model while holding a snake. Some contestants carry out the task and manage to handle the snake, except for Tiziana, whose fear causes her to refuse the reptile.
The same day, the group of girls confronts Elena for not keeping the house clean. Elga, Francesca B, Francesca L., Gilda, and Tiziana complain about her attitude, and after Elena's refusal to talk with Francesca B. and Gilda about the issue, Elga flies into a rage. Natasha visits the girls the following day to admonish them for their behavior and warns them to adopt a more controlled way of behaving, making known her disappointment and anger with them.
Later on, the girls are evaluated in the judging room, where Tiziana's image is impressive despite her fear of snakes. Alessandra is complimented for using her facial structure to her advantage, and so is Elga, for softening her look in her picture. Gilda, Francesca B, and Francesca L. are also noticed for interacting with the male model, whereas Manuela and Sara are criticized for not being comfortable on set and showing this in their photos.
After deliberation, Manuela and Sara land as the bottom two, both for not interacting with the elements of the photo shoot; and Sara is eliminated for not moving her body.
Bottom two: Manuela & Sara Eliminated: Sara Special guest: Pablo Ardizzone, make-up artist
Episode 4 First aired December 25, 2007
The eleven remaining girls get a visit from Alberto Zanoletti, the vice editor of Italian Elle, who puts them through the week's reward challenge by giving each of them a small budget to create a hippie look. Elga wins the challenge and is allowed to make a phone call to a loved one; she decides to share her prize with Francesca L. The girls are happy to hear from their loved ones after being isolated in the competition housing.
Later on, the girls go to the Maison Romeo Gigli, where they face an elimination challenge. There, they meet fashion designer Gentucca Bini, who assigns each contestant an outfit that they will model while being evaluated.
In the judging room, Tiziana, Lorena, and Alessandra receive praise for making the most of their outfits and improving their runway walks, while Francesca B. is criticized for her walk; Gilda is criticized as well. Elena is scolded for hiding her outfit and for how she uses her jacket, while Francesca L. is reprimanded for walking quickly, and thus not showing her dress well.
Elena and Francesca L. are paired as the bottom two both for not showing the product they were supposed to sell and for their walks. Francesca L. is sent home for not being able to show improvements on the runway.
Bottom two: Elena & Francesca L. Eliminated: Francesca L. Guest judge: Gentucca Bini, fashion designer of Maison Romeo Gigli Special guest: Alberto Zanoletti, vice-editor of Italian Elle magazine
Episode 5 First aired January 1, 2008
The ten remaining contestants receive a visit from Italian journalist and fashion expert Cristina Parodi, who puts them through a written test to evaluate their knowledge of fashion. Francesca B. wins the challenge and shares her prize with Gilda; as a result, both contestants go to a Roberto Cavalli store to choose outfits for themselves.
Afterwards, the girls are taken to a 19th-century villa near Milan to participate in an evening fashion show that displays 1930s-inspired dresses. The contestants must walk down a scenographic staircase, which worries some of them, causing them difficulty in completing the task.
At the panel, Fiorella, Lorena, and Gilda are praised. Francesca B.'s performance is perceived as awkward, Alessandra is told to have an embarrassing walk, Elga's performance disappoints the judges, and Elena is scolded for her expression and walk.
Elga and Elena are given the two lowest rankings and Elena is eliminated after the judges decide that she hasn't improved enough over the course of the show.
Bottom two: Elena & Elga Eliminated: Elena Guest judge: Cristina Parodi, journalist, and fashion expert
Episode 6 First aired January 8, 2008
Former top model and show judge Nadège du Bospertus pays a visit to the girls' loft to test their progress on the catwalk with a reward challenge. The girls must walk on a runway and step on a rotating platform at the end of it without falling or tripping. Elga and Lorena are given the highest rankings, with Lorena being chosen as the winner and being allowed to get a visit from her mom.
For their photo shoot, this week the contestants are taken to a billiard hall where they will be photographed almost nude in different positions by Malena Mazza, who is known for her style of photo shoots. Despite her initial fear of showing her body, Laura manages to participate. Tiziana must be coached to get her picture.
At the panel, the judges complain about Manuela's lack of intensity, but the photographer supports the girl. Gilda, Lorena, Elga, and Tiziana receive good feedback, but Alessandra's and Laura's performances are criticized.
Laura and Alessandra are ranked as the bottom two, with Alessandra being eliminated, since the judges feel as though she has reached a maximum amount of improvement and cannot go further in the competition.
Bottom two: Alessandra & Laura Eliminated: Alessandra Guest judge: Malena Mazza, fashion photographer
Episode 7 First aired January 15, 2008
After receiving Natasha's letter that tells the girls to prepare for a jump, the remaining contestants take part in their weekly reward challenge: they will be posing as boxers jumping on an elastic carpet while being photographed by Ciro Zizzo. Francesca B. ends up as the winner and can spend an evening out with her boyfriend.
This week the girls will take part in a fake commercial for a perfume where they will be directed by Gaetano Vaudo. Easy gestures become difficult for many while being taped, and the challenge proves to be harder than expected.
At the judging panel, Elga is found to be the most natural, but the majority of the aspiring models are reprimanded for failing in the task, in particular Laura, Lorena, and Manuela.
Manuela and Lorena land in the bottom two spots for their lackluster performances, but it is Manuela who is sent home for producing another disappointing result and not progressing at all.
Bottom two: Lorena & Manuela Eliminated: Manuela Guest judge: Gaetano Vaudo, director
Episode 8 First aired January 22, 2008
The seven remaining contestants pay a visit to the Italian Elle offices to meet the magazine's chief fashion director, Benedetta Dell'Orto, who evaluates them in this week's reward challenge, which consists of enhancing a simple outfit with proper accessories in order to represent each girl's assigned look for a happening as follows:
Contestant Assigned Look Elga Cocktail with Friends Fiorella Evening Cocktail Francesca B. Working Dinner Gilda Concert at Opera Laura Wedding Lorena Casting for a Photographer Tiziana Rock Concert
Fiorella is proclaimed the winner and she is sent to a Fratelli Rossetti shoe store to choose a pair of elegant shoes as her prize.
For this week's photoshoot the girls must pose next to a vintage car, in male and female vintage clothes to show both sides of their personalities. Elga bursts into tears when Ciro, the photographer, criticizes her, while Tiziana shines again.
During the judging session, Elga, despite producing a good picture, is scolded for crying unprofessionally, Lorena and Tiziana are praised for creating interactions between their male and female photos. Francesca B. is reprimanded for being awkward and not feminine, while Fiorella is deemed boring.
After deliberation, Francesca B. and Fiorella are placed as the bottom two for producing bad photos, and Fiorella is eliminated as the judges feel that Francesca B. has more potential.
Bottom two: Fiorella & Francesca B. Eliminated: Fiorella Guest judge: Francesco Martini Coveri, fashion designer Special guest: Benedetta Dell'Orto, chief fashion editor of Italian Elle magazine
Episode 9 First aired January 29, 2008