Love, Lust or Run

Love, Lust or Run is an engaging reality show that aired on TLC in 2015. The series features renowned fashion consultant and television personality, Stacy London, as she takes on a journey to empower women by transforming their controversial and individually unique personal styles into more polished and confidently attractive looks. Each episode comprises a riveting story of self-discovery, transformation, and personal growth with a focus on garnering respect, self-esteem, and attracting positive attention through fashion.

London, well known for her previous style-fixing television show, "What Not to Wear", brings the same passion and expertise to Love, Lust or Run. Unlike other makeover-focused series, Love, Lust or Run presents a unique aspect – the show doesn't solely revolve around enhancing the physical appearances of the participants, but more importantly, it's about reshaping their mindset towards fashion, enabling them to embrace a fresh perspective on their individualistic style and self-expression.

The women who sign up for Love, Lust or Run each arrive with their own unique clothing styles and hairdos that they feel define their individualism. However, these styles often attract undue attention, judgement and criticism from others. Whether it's gothic leanings, a fixation on fairy-tale outfits, or a preference for wild hair colors, these styles often lead to unwanted impressions or misconceptions about their personalities or capabilities.

In each episode, the show uses a 'streeters' session where people on the street candidly share whether they 'Love', 'Lust' or 'Run' from the participant's style upon seeing a picture of them. This yield some harsh critical responses, but it also provides a much-needed wake-up call for the participants. While it may seem a bit harsh, it serves as a critical reality check, making them aware of how their unconventional styles could adversely affect various aspects of their lives, from career opportunities to personal relationships.

Once the streeters' session completes, the thoughtful transformation begins. London, with her immense knowledge and knack for connecting with the participants, provides a series of style tips, fashion recommendations and shopping sessions. She guides them towards a more streamlined style that doesn't entirely wash away their individuality, but rather refines it. It's a delicate balance between maintaining their unique identity and projecting an image that can have a positive impact on their social interactions, employment prospects, and overall confidence.

Yet the transformations are not just external. There's a distinct emphasis on building the participants' self-esteem and body positivity as well. London helps them understand that change is not about conforming to societal expectations of beauty, but rather, it is to enhance their authentic selves and exist comfortably and confidently within societal norms.

Some of the most stirring transformations on "Love, Lust or Run" are not just reflected in the 'after' pictures of these women, but in their emotional metamorphosis. Their initial reluctance and fear slowly turns into acceptance and happiness, and it is this journey, rather than the end result, that proves most impactful. They emerge as more self-assured, confident and ready to embrace their new look, carrying it off with grace and comfort.

In "Love, Lust or Run", fashion is utilized not as a means to fit in, but as a tool to empower. Stacy London becomes a life coach, threading a delicate needle between the stylistic identity and personal growth of the individuals under her mentorship. As such, the show offers both entertainment and inspiration, making it an enlightening watch for viewers.

Love, Lust or Run premiered on TLC in January 2015. It ran for three seasons and comprised a total of 33 episodes. Despite its conventional looks, the series is a thought-provoking take on reality makeover shows with a lot to offer in terms of inspiring personal transformations and empowering women with confidence and self-love. It is an absolute treat for fans of makeover reality shows and fashion aficionados alike.