If you plan to watch the new Bravo reality series "Tim Gunn's Guide to Style," you probably want to have a note pad and hanky close by.

The notebook is to record the valuable style and fashion advice dispensed by the host, Mr. Gunn, and his lovely "fashion accomplice," former runway and print model Veronica Webb.

The hanky is to wipe away the tears that may come as the subjects of style transformations are overwhelmed by the reality that appearance really can make a world of difference in a person's life and self-esteem.

The eight-show series, debuting at 10 p.m. on Thursday, is a spinoff of the network's successful "Project Runway," on which Mr. Gunn serves as a mentor for new designers who compete for prizes that include $100,000 to formally launch a collection of their designs.

In a conference call last week, Mr. Gunn, former chairman of the department of fashion design at Parsons The New School of Design, described how "Guide to Style" is different from other makeover programs.

"For one, it's not an intervention," he said. "We don't have family or loved ones contacting us, saying you have to help my spouse or my sister or my friend. These women have self-declared their need for help. Basically, they shared being in a fashion rut."

One of the best things about the new series is that viewers get to see a lot more of Mr. Gunn than they do in "Project Runway." He comes across as knowledgeable, caring and naturally witty.

Ms. Webb is a good complement. The two interact effortlessly -- politely disagreeing at times -- as he oversees the big picture and she connects with subjects in a more detailed, intimate way.

Ms. Webb said she and Mr. Gunn "were meant to be together. I stepped into the audition, and we just clicked."

Added Mr. Gunn: "I was so crossing every finger, every arm, every leg, every toe that Veronica would say 'yes.' It felt like it was a marriage proposal. She's as brainy as she is beautiful, and I thought, 'This is it. I've gotta have her.' "

In the first episode, a young New Jersey wife learns to go beyond ill-fitting, figure-unflattering jeans, tops and dresses. In a later episode, a 41-year-old mom-wife struggles to let go of her sexed-up 20s style and find a more sophisticated fashion voice.

"I want every woman to achieve her style zenith," said Mr. Gunn, the recently appointed chief creative officer for Liz Claiborne Inc. "Looking good takes hard work and commitment, but this series makes it fun. Each of the women I worked with discovered their own signature look, with a little coaching. My hope is that we'll inspire others to achieve their own stylish identities."

Making scents

Several fragrances are being launched as summer ends and fall begins. Here's the lowdown on a few that are nose-worthy.

Black by Pierre Cardin, a sexy blend of citrus, florals, nutmeg, musk and woods for men, is $25 and $35 at mass retailers and Perfumania.

Polo Explorer by Ralph Lauren, encased in a green enamel flacon, is a fresh woody scent that combines South African mandarin, Cuban mahogany, Australian sandalwood and North Sea amber. It's $47.50 and $67.50 at Macy's, Bloomingdales and Poloexplorer.com.

Bijan Nude blends aldehydes, ylang ylang, white chocolate mocha, cedar and vetiver in the women's version, and citrus, gardenia, precious woods and musk in the men's formulation. The eau de toilettes are $45 and $58 at Perfumania.

Jo Malone's newest entry, White Jasmine & Mint, is a captivating cocktail of those two ingredients and notes of chamomile, coriander, woods, florals and musk. It's $50 and $95 in October at Saks Fifth Avenue.

A major launch is Leiber, a scent inspired by jeweled-handbag maven Judith Leiber. The bottle resembles a large crystal gem and houses a scent redolent with Italian bergamot, Moroccan jasmine, Turkish rose, pineapple, white mimosa, gardenia, cedar and vanilla. Eau de parfums range from $75 to $110 at Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale's and Bergdorf Goodman.

Another of the season's biggest launches is Amalfi Flowers, Creed's limited-edition women's scent inspired by Italy's Amalfi coast. Notes of Amalfi lemon and Sicilian mandarin orange harmonize elegantly with black currant, Jamaican ginger, Russian leather and Italian roses.

Only 375 1.7-ounce atomizers are available worldwide, each wrapped in Italian leather the color of Amalfi terra cotta ($270 each). For collectors, there are 8.4-ounce green glass flacons with cut glass stoppers trimmed with white leather and tied with a silver cord. There are only 60 of these, each signed and numbered by sixth-generation master perfumer Olivier Creed ($450 each).

The Pittsburgh Saks will get nine atomizers and one flacon. They won't be available until October but can be pre-purchased now.

Fashion Agenda

Tuesday through Saturday: Trunk show of Bijoux Extraordinaire heirloom and estate brooches at Patricia Boutique, 115 Center Ave., Aspinwall.

Thursday: Ermenegildo Zegna menswear made-to-measure event, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Saks Fifth Avenue, 513 Smithfield St., Downtown.

Thursday through Saturday: Trunk show of Christopher Blue corduroy, twill and denim jeans in custom styles and colors, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Crossroads Boutique Cattiva, 24 W. Second St., Greensburg.

Thursday through Sunday: Mother of the bride trunk show featuring Daymor, Damianou, Sia Sia and Ideas by Barbara at Lintons at the Waterfront, Homestead.

Saturday: "Twisted With Elegance" is the theme of a fashion show at 8 p.m. at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts to benefit the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force. Admission is $30.

Saturday and Sunday: Hello Kitty personal appearance, 2 p.m. Saturday at Macy's at Robinson Town Centre and 2 p.m. Sunday at the Monroeville Mall store. Free photo with the celeb plus cookies and giveaways.