The Apprentice's Secret Wardrobe Rules Exposed by Former Finalist
Former The Apprentice star Rochelle Anthony has exclusively revealed the stringent clothing regulations imposed on candidates during filming of the hit BBC reality show. The 38-year-old businesswoman, who finished as runner-up to Marnie Swindells in the 2023 series, has lifted the lid on production's strict brief that governs every contestant's appearance.
Power Rangers and Prohibited Patterns
"I think our year they started calling us the Power Rangers," Anthony laughed during her revealing interview. She explained that candidates receive specific guidelines about what they can and cannot wear on camera. "You're given a brief – blacks, stripes and spots don't work well on camera as they strobe, so you can't wear them," she disclosed.
The regulations extend beyond just patterns to include colour coordination between contestants. "Outfits have to be approved for the boardroom so if someone else is wearing yellow, I wouldn't be able to wear yellow," Anthony revealed. She described the competitive scramble to secure approval for preferred colours, noting her successful bid for royal blue became one of her favourite outfits during filming.
Business Attire Meets Tropical Locations
The strict business dress code could create unexpected challenges when tasks took contestants to warmer climates. Anthony recalled her experience during the first task in Antigua: "My dress was sleeveless and we went to Antigua on the first task. Everyone was wearing stuffy, big, thick suits and I was there in a little summer dress – I felt great!"
This contrast between formal business expectations and practical realities of international task locations created memorable moments for both contestants and viewers, highlighting the show's demanding nature beyond what appears on screen.
Post-Show Success and Business Survival
Despite her second-place finish, Anthony credits The Apprentice with saving her Milton Keynes salon, The Dollshouse, during challenging economic times. "Post Covid, people's spending had changed and a lot of people were finding alternatives for nail gel kits or root touch-up kits to do at home," she explained about the pandemic's impact on her business.
"I had to pivot my business massively and even then, I honestly didn't think I could carry on any longer," Anthony confessed. "The show elevated my platform, gave me another source of income with social media and brought people to my salon from far and wide. So many salons were closing their doors, so to be still going five years later, it's a real pat on the back and I do owe most of that success to The Apprentice."
Behind-the-Scenes Challenges and Technology Ban
Anthony still watches the show but finds it "weird" to relive the experience annually. She has strong words for critics of contestants' television appearances: "To anyone who wants to comment on how we look like idiots on the show, I always say, 'Please apply, please give it a try because it's not what you think.' I know the gruelling process that they have to go through and it's much harder than it appears on TV."
One particularly challenging aspect was the complete technology ban during filming. "Back then Chat GPT wasn't a thing and now it's my therapist, my solicitor, my liaison. It's helped me so much, so going on a process like that and not having access to anything really surprises me," she reflected.
The technological deprivation extended to basic research tools: "We had to use good old maps and the Yellow Pages to plan tasks on the show – the younger contestants had never even used them before!" This created generational divides in problem-solving approaches during tasks.
Future Television Ambitions
Looking ahead to 2026, Anthony expressed enthusiasm for returning to television screens. "I appeared on Rich Holiday, Poor Holiday in the summer and I had a ball," she said. "I'd do a lot more and I like to challenge myself so hopefully I'll be on TV again soon."
Her revelations come as The Apprentice returns for its latest series, offering viewers new insight into the meticulous production details that shape one of British television's most enduring business reality formats. The show's attention to visual presentation through controlled wardrobe choices has become an integral, though previously little-known, aspect of its distinctive style.
