Reality of Fashion: Ashley Paige: Bikini or Bust Hits TLC

Racked is no longer publishing. Thank you to everyone who read our work over the years. The archives will remain available here; for new stories, head over to Vox.com, where our staff is covering consumer culture for The Goods by Vox. You can also see what we’re up to by signing up here.

LA designer Ashley Paige, known for her sexy knit bikinis, will be entering the realm of reality TV with her new show Ashley Paige: Bikini or Bust, debuting Friday, July 11 on TLC. Per PR Newswire: "The docu-series goes inside the life of Ashley Paige, a renowned bathing suit designer who had it all—magazine covers, A-list celebrities wearing her bikinis, a brand-new store in Los Angeles ..."

But then it gets juicy: "...just as quickly as she became an overnight sensation, she hit rock bottom... Ashley can barely make rent, let alone successfully run her business."

But then it gets schmaltzy: "Luckily she isn't going it alone: her mother Leah, who lives with Ashley, serves up loving advice and an endless amount of freshly baked treats. In the office is a team of supporters who believe in her, including the thread that holds her business together—Juan, who hand-knits her designs, bringing them to life."

Lest we forget it is TLC. Also, expect a lot of doggie action as Paige runs an animal rescue foundation called Ruff Houzen.
· Multiple Magazine Covers, A-List Fan Base and ... Broke! TLC Makes a Splash With 'Ashley Paige: Bikini or Bust' [PR Newswire]