THE BAR IS RAISED AS "AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL" GOES HIGH FASHION FOR THE LANDMARK 15th CYCLE PREMIERING WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 ON THE CW

THE WORLD'S TOP DESIGNERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS AND FASHION ELITE LEND THEIR EXPERTISE AND VISION AS GUEST JUDGES

NEW PRIZE PACKAGE INCLUDES A SPREAD IN THE COVETED MAGAZINE VOGUE ITALIA, AND CONTRACTS WITH IMG MODELS AND COVERGIRL

August 18, 2010 (Burbank, California) - The CW's hit series AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL steps into the world of high fashion when cycle 15 kicks-off on Wednesday, September 8 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET).

Lending their expertise as guest judges during this high fashion cycle are designer Diane Von Furstenberg, designer/stylist Patricia Field ("Sex and the City"), top beauty photographer Matthew Rolston, supermodel Karolina Kurkova, top fashion photographer Patrick Demarchelier, Italian photographer Francesco Carrozzini, designer Zac Posen, designer/model Margherita Missoni, IMG Models executive Kyle Hagler, Vogue Italia editor-in-chief Franca Sozzani and designer Roberto Cavalli.

Fourteen model hopefuls will compete for the new, ultimate career-launching prize package: a contract with IMG Models, one of the top international modeling management companies in the world; fashion spread in Vogue Italia and an additional spread and cover of Beauty in Vogue; and a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl Cosmetics.

Tyra Banks leads the panel of judges, comprised of influential fashion editor Andr� Leon Talley and photographer Nigel Barker. Jay Manuel serves as the photo shoot creative director while Miss J Alexander returns as the runway trainer.

"AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL" CYCLE 15 PARTICIPANTS:

Name: ANAMARIA
Age: 19
Hometown: Queens, New York
Occupation: Unemployed
Height: 5'10"
Favorite Designer: Alexander Wang
Favorite Shoe: boot
Must-Have Photo Shoot Accessory: myself
Would Never Wear: gangstah clothing
If Trapped On An Island, Would Bring: my boyfriend

Name: ANN
Age: 19
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Height: 6'2"
Occupation: Student
Favorite Designer: Betsey Johnson
Favorite Shoe: flats
Must-Have Photo Shoot Accessory: eyeliner
Would Never Wear: holiday sweaters
If Trapped On An Island, Would Bring: satellite phone

Name: CHELSEY
Age: 22
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Height: 5'10 �"
Occupation: Waitress
Favorite Designer: Karl Lagerfield
Favorite Shoe: ankle boots (high heel, of course)
Must-Have Photo Shoot Accessory: mascara
Would Never Wear: high water bell bottoms
If Trapped On An Island, Would Bring: sunscreen

Name: CHRIS
Age: 20
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Height: 5'10 �"

Name: ESTHER
Age: 18
Hometown: Boston, Massachusetts
Height: 5'9"
Occupation: Student
Favorite Designer: Oscar de la Renta, Missoni, Marc Jacobs
Favorite Shoe: slippers
Must-Have Photo Shoot Accessory: sweater (the air conditioning is always on and I'm freezing)
Would Never Wear: hot pants
If Trapped On An Island, Would Bring: food!

Name: JANE
Age: 19
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland
Height: 5'9"
Occupation: Student
Favorite Designer: Ralph Lauren
Favorite Shoe: sandals
Must-Have Photo Shoot Accessory: coffee
Would Never Wear: Duke basketball jersey
If Trapped On An Island, Would Bring: books

Name: KACEY
Age: 20
Hometown: Palmdale, California
Height: 5'9"
Occupation: Dance Teacher
Favorite Designer: Rocco Barocco
Favorite Shoe: boots
Must-Have Photo Shoot Accessory: Tancho wax stick, razor
Would Never Wear: pleather catwoman suit
If Trapped On An Island, Would Bring: my hot comb

Name: KAYLA
Age: 19
Hometown: Rockford, Illinois
Height: 5'9"
Occupation: Waitress
Favorite Designer: Stella McCartney
Favorite Shoe: high heels
Must-Have Photo Shoot Accessory: music
Would Never Wear: over-alls
If Trapped On An Island, Would Bring: cell phone

Name: KENDAL
Age: 23
Hometown: Northport, Alabama
Height: 5'11"
Occupation: Unemployed
Favorite Designer: Versace
Favorite Shoe: a comfortable one
Must-Have Photo Shoot Accessory: my man
Would Never Wear: animal print
If Trapped On An Island, Would Bring: cell phone

Name: LEXIE
Age: 18
Hometown: Geneva, Illinois
Height: 6'
Occupation: Unemployed
Favorite Designer: Marc Jacobs
Favorite Shoe: Toms
Must-Have Photo Shoot Accessory: Vaseline (sounds weird but it is helpful!)
Would Never Wear: hammer pants
If Trapped On An Island, Would Bring: my best friend

Name: LIZ
Age: 21
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Height: 5'10"
Occupation: Shoe Sales Rep
Favorite Designer: Kimora Lee Simmons
Favorite Shoe: 5" black leather pumps with buckles and straps
Must-Have Photo Shoot Accessory: my eyebrow and/or nose piercing
Would Never Wear: granny panties
If Trapped On An Island, Would Bring: my car!

Name: RHIANNA
Age: 20
Hometown: San Diego, California
Height: 6'1 �"
Occupation: World explorin', dance feverin', people lovin', wild child!
Favorite Designer: Viktor & Rolf, Prada, Zac Posen
Favorite Shoe: whatever it is, its high as hell!
Must-Have Photo Shoot Accessory: my imagination
Would Never Wear: cheap clothes
If Trapped On An Island, Would Bring: magic

Name: SARA
Age: 21
Hometown: Menifee, California
Height: 5'10"
Occupation: Mother
Favorite Designer: Proenza Schouler
Favorite Shoe: flip flops
Must-Have Photo Shoot Accessory: lip gloss
Would Never Wear: my grandma's clothing
If Trapped On An Island, Would Bring: Diet Coke

Name: TERRA
Age: 24
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Height: 5'8 �"
Occupation: Unemployed
Favorite Designer: Alexander McQueen
Favorite Shoe: Converse
Must-Have Photo Shoot Accessory: energy drink
Would Never Wear: I have a unique style so I pretty much wear anything.
If Trapped On An Island, Would Bring: cell phone

AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL is produced by 10 by 10 Entertainment, in association with Bankable Productions. Tyra Banks is the creator and executive producer along with Ken Mok ("Making the Band") and Laura Fuest ("Pit Boss").