all3media international has confirmed the arrival of a new format that will be launching at MIPTV, from the illustrious stable of Studio Lambert, working with acclaimed European partners. The new show, which will be marketed under the English language title of Salon Wars has been developed by Studio Lambert, creators of Undercover Boss, with French production house Coyote. TF1 Group has acquired the rights for the format Salon Wars from Coyote – and it is understood that French series will be titled Bienvenue A L’instiuit De Beaute.

Salon Wars ventures into the intimate world of the beauty industry, meeting local experts and salon owners – setting them the task of scrutinising each other’s methods, businesses and tastes. Developed to be stripped across the week or with a weekly version, Salon Wars pits proud beauty salon owners and their businesses against each other in a friendly, rivalry fashion. Each business takes a turn to play host at their establishment, showing off their “special” treatments and their unique ambience.

In the culminating episode, each salon owner reveals how much they think their rivals’ treatments were worth and how much they are willing to pay – if anything! The winning salon is the one that gets paid the highest percentage of their treatment list price.

Salon Wars will delve into the kaleidoscope of modern beauty treatments – from traditional relaxation and pampering, to alternative therapies with eye-watering examples of people suffering to be beautiful, such as hair waxing in sensitive places, feet being smoothed by a tank of hungry, nibbling fish and doing facials with all manner of vegetable extracts.

The show was inspired by the success of Studio Lambert’s series for Channel 4 UK – Three in a Bed and Four in a Bed – which is known as Bienvenue Chez Nous internationally. This series looks at small hoteliers and guest house owners – as they visit rival establishments and comment on the décor and the breakfast on offer. The show plays successfully on TF1 – launching in 2012 – and is produced by Coyote.

Together the companies are also launching an adaptation of Bienvenue Chez Nous called Bienvenue Au Camping – which sees the format move to the great outdoors of holiday camps.