As we all know now, the X Factor is about re-inventing people and creating the ultimate pop star. Unless you’ve been living on another planet for the past few years you will also know that after the excitement of the “Judges Houses” stage, the remaining contestants are “made over” with fabulous make up, incredible hair styling and interesting fashion all coming together to create individual pop icons. We should know all about that because that’s where we at Fresh Academy are at, sensational transformations. Fresh Academy would love to be the consultants on the X Factor because we reckon we could get the best out of all the remaining contestants, image is paramount in such a volatile industry so it’s important to get the best results. 
As we watch the 2nd October X Factor show come to a climax, we’re finally down to the last sixteen. Surely one of the best bits of the X Factor is seeing just how well these “wannabe” pop stars scrub up! For us we’re as interested in the ones who could do with a helping hand in the makeover stakes as we are those who already have great individual style. Wonder who you think really needs a new look? Goldie, perhaps? Whatever the X Factor stylists choose to do, we know that next week, when the final 16 are let loose on the live shows, they will look out of this world!
Back to us though, how would Fresh Academy advise the style of the final sixteen? With half the remaining contestants gone and some big makeover challenges now out of the picture we are going to focus on who’s left and make our suggestions as to what we’d do to them.
Over to final 4 groups – after spending a no doubt truly terrific time in a beachside villa in Mykanos with Tulisa and Jessie J, could this be the first time ever that the groups may win? It’s a tough call being given the groups to mentor, no doubt.
One of the first of the final four of the groups to go through is Two Shoes. Fresh Academy actually love their style already and we think we’d just capitalise on their look – big personalities, big hair and big make up – looks great, however perhaps there’s a softer side, so we’d also like to see how stunning these two girls would look with fresh faces and hair scraped back with toned-down clothing. However, it’s possible that would ruin their The Only Way is Essex image which is absolutely brilliant!
Second group “in” is manufactured NuVibe, young, fun and full of charisma with great rap. This boy band are crying out for some sharp haircuts, baggy trousers and layered t shirts and tops with chunky boots to finish off….as long as they all compliment each-other we’re sure this group of handsome boys will end up as style icon themselves. Lose the coloured jeans and t shirts under done up shirt look – it’s not 2011 enough for us!
The third group to get the nod are Rythmix, who perform for the first time together and they sound and look great. Already we can see that they are young and street savvy but does their style work well enough? It’s bright, bold and busy – it needs toning down yet still keeping it “street” – great hair and make up will work and less of the school girl look will ensure that they are taken seriously!
Finally – Tulisa does something that has never been done before and combines two bands together (losing some hopefuls along the way) – a new band is formed and as they are a combination of the Keys and the Risk – maybe they should be named the Risky’s?! This will be an interesting one to style as there are some preppy looks in there as well as real street style. We’d like to reserve judgement here but the thought is street style….with something a bit more suited and booted, let’s see a combination of both! That would be interesting.
Moving on to the Girls – surely, potentially the strongest group of the contest? (In Fresh Academy’s humble opinion). In sunny Miami, Kelly really had a tough choice but, with the help of the ever stunning Jennifer Hudson, her choice made and the following beauties become part of the line up for the live shows!
First up is Amelia Lily from Middlesborough – at only 16 years old, this little lady has a big voice and a great image. Almost a cross between Christina Aguilera and Pink. Loving the blonde hair and bright pink lipstick. Let’s combine the Aguilera look with the Pink attitude and style her in between the both of them.
Sophie from North London, also a young one at just 19 will be in the Live Shows. We think with her eyes she should get some wild eye make up to really show them off and please let that hair loose, it’s too severe tied back so tightly!
Misha B – with a star’s name already and star quality oozing from every pore. How good did Misha look in her black dress with its flowing skirt and bright electric blue shoes? Girl – you don’t need styling, you need some strong make up and a great photographer to capture your look, you have already got great attitude and presence!
Finally, the Irish beauty Janet with the Alanis Morisette voice but no confidence sadly. We’re sure that won’t last long. A true Boho chick we would style her as with some great natural make up, flowers in her hair and some boho attitude look to bring out her Irish beauty – love her bare feet! Or be really dramatic and turn this little lady into a Punk! Why not? Mad hair, bright make up, ripped jeans – perhaps even some body art… you name it, but that will definitely bring her out of her shell!
Back over in Barcelona with Louis and his Spanish castle – complete with Senorita Sinitta we are off to visit the over 25’s and see who survives this notorious tough category? Well, some strange choices in our view but nevertheless – a good opportunity to go to town and really re-style and re-vamp!
First in is 45 year old Johnny – we think, whilst he is obviously a lovely guy, he’s going to be a hard one to style! We’d like to see him in an Elvis look with a plain white t shirt, black biker jacket and denim jeans with great shoes. Strong hair will give his face a rounder look and toughen him up a bit! Whatever the style is – the blue mirrored aviator sunglasses have got to go! NO matter what, he most definitely stands out from the crowd!
Another wild card to go through is Goldie the Tai chi instructor. Surely Louis’ novelty act? According to the Sunday tabloids she’s already quit so maybe we don’t need to style her, frankly may be a bit relieved as she’s a tough one to style! Fresh would like to see her with dark, straight hair razor cut bob, creamy white complexion and dark sultry eyes with simple, chic and tailored clothing – make her sharper and more business like!
Next in the final 16 is soldier boy John Joe who has a great voice. Keep it simple with jeans and a t shirt or loose shirt. Maybe something sleeveless to see your muscles – they must be great looking being a soldier! Or do something totally way off track with sharp tailored styling, sharp suit and tie would look cool.
The wild girl of the group being Kitty who is a bit well, wild! Controversial! Pushing the boundaries so let’s push the boundaries back, cut and colour her hair, put some loose tousled layers in, soften the make up and cut it to chin length – keep her image tough by using leather, silks and lace but she has such a beautiful face it would be good to see some more vulnerability! Or bow to her sassy personality and style her as Gaga – with out of control outfits which will make her really stand proud from the crowd!
The final boys to reach the last 16 had the enviable task of being in Gary Barlow’s stunning LA mansion with the gorgeous Robbie Williams – has to be the best place to go in our mind! Know where we’d like to have gone…
With Gary Barlow’s own great styling, it will be interesting to see if he has any influence on the final 4 boys. Let’s hope it’s not Robbie in his dress up outfit comprising of giant leaves (yes, we know, he was just trying to put Sinitta in the shade!)
One of the first in the last 16 is Frankie Cocozza who you wouldn’t forget that’s for sure. Like a young Robbie, and a real rocker he’s a modern Noel Gallagher. Personally not loving the vest and trainers look we’d like him to man up! We’d also like to cut that hair to see his face more – but a rocker with looser jeans and a vest would do fine and a beat up old leather jacket…or really go in a different direction and style him in a dinner suit with a cropped, manly haircut! Whatever his style, Frankie has definitely got character.
The next character is curly haired James who seemed very lost without his guitar. At least he had his own individual style. Let’s try and loose the hat though. Linen trousers, pale coloured shirt left loose, flip flops and beads give him that hippie Boho look which suits him so well.
Marcus, the third of the final 4 boys can definitely come and do some hairdressing at the Fresh Studios if all else fails! He knows how to do hair – as well as his great looks, style, fashion sense and of course that sexy accent we think Marcus has great presence as well as a good soul voice. In fact, Marcus, you should be the stylist on the show!
Finally, the last male and the last in the final 16, 22 year old Craig who’s a big guy with an even bigger voice. Craig, you’ve got a great sound but we think you need a hair cut and some up to the minute new clothes. Its time to get rid of the red checked shirts or it will be the shirts that are memorable and not Craig!
So there you have it – and we cannot wait for Saturday night to see the future stars and how they look and sound on the next X Factor Show – good luck all of you, we’re looking forward to placing our bets!
If you fancy a make over and a fashion photo shoot – look no further than the Fresh Academy at www.freshacademy.com a state of the art studio with industry professionals ready to turn you into your wildest dreams!
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