Vintage makeover

THE acceptable campaigner for looking good in old clothes Dawn O’Porter brings her celebration of vintage fashion to a close with another bid to persuade others into using the alternative world of fashion.

Adopting the role of stylist, she helps them to make the most of various handme- downs and thrifty finds to make a real style statement. O’Porter’s proved more than a match for all comers so far.

This week, Lucie from London is another who claims to be desperate for a new look, in spite of regular high street buying bouts which have left her with a cache of clothes packed up to the rafters.

Her wardrobe may be bursting at the seams, but it’s also leaving her feeling somewhat uninspired — and with a holiday to Ibiza on the horizon, she needs to step up her game.

O’Porter is again faced with a fashion candidate who is anxious about putting on dead people’s clothes but also trying to re-ignite her dwindling passion for fashion.

Talking about the series, O’Porter says: “I met people who were in fullscale meltdown the whole time, because they had so many clothes, but no defined style, and they didn’t know what to do with it all. I told them to have a wardrobe that was half the size, spend their money better, and take time to choose what they wanted.”

As well as coming to the rescue of people, this series has also been showing how to save some classic items of clothing, with O’Porter’s dedicated team of sewing experts.

This week, the workshop turns its attention to three particularly challenging items: a jacket that’s riddled with moth holes, a rather unusual home-made dress, and a hat from the 1960s that’s seen better days.

Art of China
(BBC4, 9pm)

FOLLOWING the success of Art Of The Low Countries, the criticallyacclaimed Art Of… series returns to see presenter Andrew Graham-Dixon undertake his most epic journey yet.

In this first episode, Graham-Dixon pieces together the spectacular recent discoveries of ancient art that are redefining China’s understanding of its origins.

He comes face-to-face with an extraordinary collection of sophisticated alien-like bronze masks created nearly four millennia ago and travels to the Yellow River to explore the tomb of a warrior empress — where he’ll discover the origins of calligraphy.

Always seeking to understand art in its historical context, Graham-Dixon visits the tomb of the First Emperor and comes face to face with the Terracotta Army. He ends his journey in Western China looking at the impact of the arrival of Buddhism from India on the wondrous paintings and sculptures of the Dunhuang caves.

One Born Every Minute
(C4, 9pm)

THREE very different couples enter Bristol’s Southmead Hospital this week. Sarah and Jonathan have known each other since they were eight years old and were best friends before they became romantically involved.

They’re about to have their second child, but things aren’t going well.

Meanwhile, Vikki and Jack are having their third child in three years — and they’re determined it won’t be their last.

Finally, there’s Naomi and Chris, who fell in love at first sight when their eyes met across the floor of a crowded Blackpool nightclub.