Kara Laricks Wins Fashion Star

Kara Laricks, a 38-year-old clothing designer from New York, was announced as the winner of NBC's Fashion Star reality series.

As part of the shows' final challenge, the designer created three capsule collections for H&M, Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue. Each are now being sold online by each of the retailers.

Facing off against fellow contestants Ronnie Escalante and Nzimiro Oputa, Laricks presented an attractive range of designs to buyers from each of the stores.

She and the other designers were asked to present three complete looks to each of the store's representatives.

As celebrity mentors Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos looked on, the former school teacher showed a particular striking red, camel and white print knee-length dress to H&M.

Priced at $19.95 the satin dress is one of the capsule collection's cheaper items but even the most expensive item, priced at $49.95, is still very affordable.

The collection also features a pair of blood orange shorts, a camel coloured suit, a full-length black evening gown, multiple blouses and even more dresses.

 Larick's Saks Fifth Avenue presentation was also impressive.

She showed a cream jacket that featured leather paneling as well as a long evening dress with ribbon details.

It will no doubt serve as a further coup that model Coco Rocha has modeled the range on Saks' website.

The collection, which includes pieces priced between $150 and $425, also featured an LBD as well as a cream coloured shift dress and wide-legged trousers.

The Macy's collection included a matching shorts and blouse ensemble as well as a tartan print shift dress and a suit.

A romper suit paired with a belt is also available as well as a t-shirt that features a cameo print.

Each piece is priced between $29.99 and $99, which is the cost of a blazer.

It was revealed last month that despite the show's success, its designers have struggled to wear the clothing they designed every episode.

At an event hosted by H&M, the show's contestants Luciana Scarabello, Orly Shani as well as Laricks revealed that they couldn't afford the garments they made with their very own hands.

Though Laricks wore a red ribbon-tied tail coat she sold to the retail giant to the party, she confessed: 'I'm very lucky, I have to say a girlfriend of mine bought it for me as a gift.'

Coup: Her Saks Fifth Avenue designs have been featured online, worn by model Coco Rocha

H&M

 Shani meanwhile still works in a bar to pay the bills and had to resort to gazing at her clothing hanging on the racks in stores and capturing proof of her triumphs with a camera. 

She lamented: 'The broke-city thing isn't a joke.'

Fashion Star Episode 4: High End & Low End

From Digital Spy

It was time to bid farewell to Lizzie Parker on last week's episode of Fashion Star, but we're straight into the next (rather tough) challenge! This time, the contestants have been asked to create two looks - one for the high-end, and one for the mass market. And the buyers can buy just one of the designs, or both!

Back as mentors are Nicole Richie, John Varvatos and Jessica Simpson, but the real people to impress are the buyers - Caprice Willard from Macy's, Terron Schaefer from Saks Fifth Avenue and Nicole Christie from H&M! Let's get on with the show...

© NBC Universal

Orly Shani & Sarah Parrott

John goes to see Sarah in the design studio and admits that he doesn't think her red dress is very high-end. Sarah seems to agree, but adds: "I have no idea what to do." She ends up changing things up but begins to worry that she's not going to finish in time. "It happens all the time," Orly reassures her, but Sarah's upset. "I hate not thinking what I'm doing is enough," she frets before the runway.

Meanwhile, Orly admits that she doesn't think of herself as a high-end designer. After some advice from Jessica, she decides to switch her high-end and mass market designs. "If I can make enough sales while I'm here, much less win, it would be a lifechanger," she admits.

In fact, Orly's high-end trouser pant impresses Jessica on the runway, though she admits that the mass market design wasn't her favorite. There's good feedback for Sarah, too - Nicole describes her white structured dress as "cool, edgy, sassy" but points out that only a certain kind of person ("like myself!") could wear it. But John disagrees - he thinks her high-end piece looked "inexpensive". Jessica chips in to say she loved her red dress and urges Sarah to keep getting better.

What will the buyers think? Well, it's not good for Orly - she gets no bids. But Sarah gets a $60,000 offer from H&M - her fourth H&M buy in a row! Nicole explains that the design felt "fresh" with great fabrics and colors. "We want to buy both styles," she explains. "We believe in you, Sarah." Backstage, Sarah says the offer "feels really good", but adds that she needs to work on getting offers from Saks and Macy's.

© NBC Universal

Ross Bennett, Luciana Scarabello and Ronnie Escalante

Ross is feeling very confident about his dress, though Nicole warns him in the design studio that it could be "a little Scarlett O'Hara". Ross admits that he's "pretty stubborn" and isn't really good at changing his mind, but actually, his enthusiasm is grating on the other contestants. "Shut up, Ross, please," Nzimiro mutters.

© NBC Universal

Ronnie's worried that he needs a bid because he hasn't been bought yet, while there's a lot of drama going on for Luciana, who is arguing with her pattern designer William. "You're making me look bad," she says, as the other designers watch. Meanwhile, in confessional, she explains: "William's very opinionated. He's always contradicting me. I'm the designer - I need him to interpret my design, not change my design. It was just ridiculous." She even walks out of the studio - can she pull it together for the runway?

Well, John isn't convinced about the fabric in her high-end high waist dress but praises the mass market design - "It was chic." But Nicole advises her that she needs to figure out who she is: "The dress? Sure it's cute, fine. But that's not going to win this competition."

Meanwhile, Jessica loves Ronnie's when it appears on the Runway ("that's pretty!" she murmurs), but John disagrees, explaining that he thought he saw something in Ronnie at the beginning but now it's "disappeared". Jessica doesn't stand for that and praises the brooch, slit and cut of his high-end evening dress and the slimming nature of his mass market design. "I honestly really liked it," she says.

© NBC Universal

As for Ross, Nicole again describes his high-end strapless dress as "Scarlett O'Hara", but adds: "This is what you did and it stands for who you are. I applaud you for that." Plus, she likes his mass market design, suggesting that someone like Katy Perry could wear it. "I would wear it to a garden party," Jessica agrees.

But with the buyers, neither Ross nor Ronnie get any offers. Caprice tells Ronnie that he needs to take more risks, while Terron is scathing about Ross's design: "It's really dated. It really looked to me like something that Olivia Newton John would have worn in Grease."

There's much better news for Luciana - Macy's bid $50,000. And then Saks bid $60,000! Caprice drops out, though first she praises Luciana for her improvement and tells her she's glad she's safe this week. "We're excited," Terron tells her. "I think you did an excellent job."



Nikki Poulos, Edmond Newton, Nzimiro Oputa

In the design studio, Nikki's definitely worried about the challenge - as a swimwear designer, she's not used to working on high-end fashions. It's probably not a good idea to design a dress including lace, then ("I don't even wear lacy underwear," Nikki admits.) But Nicole advises her to work with what she knows, so Nikki starts over with a new design.

She's not the only one who's anxious - Jessica admits that she doesn't see the difference between Edmond's high-end and low-end designs, and he confesses he's feeling stressed. But Nzimiro is feeling much more confident: "I am a genius!" he declares.

Maybe he shouldn't have been so sure of himself - neither Nzimiro or Edmond land offers this week. But Nikki sparks a bidding war between H&M and Saks, eventually scoring a $70,000 offer from H&M! Nicole explains that Nikki's designs are "retro" and "sexy" - "You hit the nail on the head."



Kara Laricks, Barbara Bates and Lisa Vian Hunter

It's time for the final showcase! In the design studio, Barbara explains that she's used to doing high-end fashion so she's feeling good... though she could really do with a buy. "I'm actually feeling really confident about this piece," she says. "But didn't I say that about the last piece?" Elsewhere, Kara admits that her high-end piece is over the top even for her - "If that is purchased, talk about affirmation!" she says.

Meanwhile, Lisa explains that she would love a buy from Saks as it reminds her of her late mother. But John warns that her mass market coat might be a little too "Paddington Bear" and isn't as fun as the other one. Still, Lisa doesn't agree and decides to push ahead... Will the risk pay off?

On the runway, John remains unconvinced by her mass market coat, but Nicole says she couldn't tell the difference between the high-end and low-end - "I think that is a great sign. I think you really accomplished a great coat in both markets." Both Nicole and Jessica agree that they love the yellow, mass market coat.

Elsewhere, Jessica praises Barbara's halter dress, suggesting that the differences between her two designs show her range. And there are great comments for Kara's tuxedo jacket from John: "You are on a frigging roll!" he tells her. He says it is a "home run, grand slam, out of the park".

Will the buyers agree with the mentors? Well, Macy's hands Barbara $50,000 and Caprice reveals she's impressed by her evolution... and will buy both dresses! There's also good news for Kara as she sparks a Saks-Macy's bidding war. Eventually, after promising to work with Kara in the future, Caprice backs down and lets Terron take the design for $70,000. "I think you are an absolute fashion leader," Terron says. "You're not a follower... We really want you at Saks Fifth Avenue." What's more, Kara learns she has now sold $230,000 worth of clothes!



But there's bad news for Lisa, who gets no offers. Terron even says he was surprised Jessica and Nicole said they would wear yellow, prompting shouts from the pair: "Mia Farrow! Rosemary's Baby! It's cute!" Nicole announces.

Who's going home?

After the buyers and mentors deliberate, Elle Macpherson calls back the buyers' bottom three designers - Lisa, Ronnie and Edmond. Time for the mentors to save someone, but Nicole admits the decision is "very hard". "The person we chose we are going to be pushing, pulling, punching, squeezing - whatever we have to do to get this person to the best of their ability," she reveals. "I'm telling you right now, they better bring it. That person is Ronnie."

So Ronnie's safe, but Edmond and Lisa have to face the buyers. Caprice says she's sorry to see Edmond there, but they haven't really seen him evolve lately. Meanwhile, Nicole explains that Lisa hasn't really shown enough innovation. In the end, it's up to Terron to reveal the name of the eliminated contestant - Lisa!



"It's a little bit painful being eliminated, but I had a buy by Macy's and I'm just so happy that my kids got to see my dress in the store," she says. "I've proven to myself that I can take my designs beyond my one motif. It's been an absolutely amazing experience."

Fashion Star airs Tuesdays at 10/9c on NBC.

Watch a preview for the next episode of Fashion Star below:

Fashion Star Episode 3: Fashion Hits Sell Out

From RetailMeNot

The tastemakers on NBC’s runaway hit Fashion Star are decidedly forward-thinking, bypassing spring altogether and predicting the biggest trends to hit the sales floor come summer. On the third episode, up-and-coming designers got more mentoring from Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos before parading their looks in front of a panel of buyers from Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and H&M. Those buyers literally decided their fashion fate. Here were the winners and their winning looks. Be sure to order soon before they sell out!

Orly Shani

Orly Shani showed a trio of ultra-femme sheath dresses in ice blue, sherbet orange and rich navy with striking neon. Understandably so, Macy’s and Saks engaged in a bidding war over the flattering frocks, and ultimately Saks landed the creations with a winning bid of $120,000.

The Jersey Dress by Orly Shani ($295) has a scooped neck, adorable contrasted waistband in rich raspberry and a center back zipper. This is easy, breezy summer style at its best. (Get Saks Fifth Avenue Coupons.)

Nikki Poulos

Swimwear designer Nikki Poulos walked away a winner when Macy’s made a $50,000 offer on her resort-friendly jumpsuits. The palest shade of cobalt blue sashayed down the runway, followed closely by an energetic watercolor print and tan-enhancing coral. The colors available at Macy’s are a bit different, but decidedly modern and flattering.

Jumpsuits may be considered tricky to pull off, but Nikki’s silhouette proves that with a halter neckline and belted waist, the look can be quite wearable. Her Wide-Leg Jersey Halter ($79) is available in black, lavender and a bold floral. (Get Macy’s coupons and make this all-in-one outfit even more affordable.)

Sarah Parrott

H&M felt that Sarah Parrott’s collection of wrap maxi dresses aligned perfectly with the “glam trend” they’re predicting for summer. Graciously naming her pieces both “sexy and elegant,” the high-slit, high-impact maxis managed to incorporate two major trends: color blocking and print mixing.

The Fashion Star Ep 3 Dress by Sarah ($29.95), available in a graphic cherry print, has a sexy front slit, folded pleats and a cool racer back. This casual gown has “summer staple” written all over it. (Save on your H&M purchases with H&M coupons.)

Nzimiro Oputa

When Jessica Simpson dubs your short-and-swim-trunk hybrid a “Hamptons party in the pants,” you know you’re going to win. And Nzimiro did just that. Paired with classic, open button-down oxfords and V-necks, the board shorts were a no brainer for H&M, which bid $50,000 for the trunks.

The Fashion Star Ep 3 Shorts Designed by Nzimiro ($24.95) combine the saturated color of board shorts with the cuffs of a pant, making these a perfect hybrid for summer. (Get H&M coupons.)

Kara Laricks

After careful nudging from John Varvatos, Kara Laricks included a refreshing ivory-hued trouser that landed her a winning $50,000 bid from Saks. The series of tuxedo pants seem well-suited to the Saks shopper, and the New York–based designer could not have been more pleased to finally catch a break.

These Plaid Pants by Kara Laricks ($225) translate well for the office, yet the roomy fit feels like a trouser you want to live in. Think of them as an investment piece. (Save money with Saks Fifth Avenue coupons.)

The show itself is really campy. LFMAO did a performance. I mean...really? I get that they are going for entertainment, but Paris is laughing at us. So is Milan and London. Not that I expect NBC to care, but the laser beams, smoke, fireworks and dancers really take away from the clothes. It feels like there's too much going on. Do they need to show the mentors dancing in their seats every week?  Oh well, it's just a fun show right?

Nicole Richie Shines in Yellow at Fashion Star Premier

The "House Of Harlow" designer worked the red carpet in a floor-sweeping yellow satin gown by Julien Macdonald and a glitter encrusted clutch by Jimmy Choo Tuesday night in NYC for the premier of Fashion Star.

This look has people asking, hit or miss, but... I like it. I don't think many people could pull this off, and I agree, there is a lot going on here. Chain straps, belt, slit, layers on the hips, plus I'm not a huge fan of satin. 

It's not her best, but not her worst. 

Fashion Star Designs Sell Out Overnight

From Fashionista:

Did you watch NBC’s Fashion Star last night? A lot of fashion people did and they seemed pretty disappointed. Well, that’s putting it mildly. A sampling of tweets from the fashion industry sent out during last night’s show:

It’s like watching #ProjectRunway while having a seizure. #FashionStar @NBCFashionStar – Tom + Lorenzo ‏@tomandlorenzo

#FashionStar clearly spent more on music & Nicole Richie’s headbands than it did on anything else. – Heather Cocks, Go Fug Yourself ‏@fuggirls

I don’t think I’ve ever been so utterly confused watching a tv show before tonight. Wtf was that show all about anyway? #FashionStar – Jay McCarroll, designer and first winner of Project Runway, @jaymccarroll

I swear I didn’t plan to get so aggro about #FashionStar but it’s all of our livelihoods on the line if America thinks that was real fashion – Matt Kays, fashion publicist ‏ @mattkays

Reality TV, please face reality! How on earth is #Saks ok with the idea of ordering the same collections as #Macys or #hm? #FashionStar – Rachel Dodes Wortman, reporter for the Wall Street Journal ‏ @racheldodes

But while the fashion industry was appalled with last night’s spectacle (which is an apt descriptor considering there were models on Harleys, backup dancers and smoke machines) the show actually seems to be a hit at retail.

Sarah Parrott and Nicole Christie

I popped into H&M early this morning (don’t ask) to scour for returned Marni for H&M (Success! It was there!) and was checking out next to a girl who was buying two dresses designed by Fashion Star contestant Sarah Parrott. She told me she watched the show last night and loved the dresses so much she went right out to buy them (this was at 9:30 a.m.)–only the turquoise color she wanted was already sold out.

Sarah Parrott was there herself at the H&M on 51st and Fifth, standing next to her dresses on display, along with the judge from H&M, Nicole Christie. Parrott’s dress, Christie told me, sold out, in both colors, by 11:15 p.m. last night. The show ended at 11 p.m. The multi-use zipper skirt designed Orly Shani is sold out online at Saks. Ditto both versions of Nikki Poulos’ kimono-sleeved caftan at Macys.com (the other two items Macy’s purchased–a halter dress by Edmond Newton and the asymmetrical jersey tunic by Lizzie Parker are both still available).

But maybe these items are selling out because retailers placed small orders, designed to sell out fast. Christie assured us that’s not the case. “I can tell you that we ordered the dresses at our normal order size–average H&M quantities,” she said. “And we have it in 101 stores in the country and…it’s flying off the shelves.”

That’s when designer and contestant Sarah Parrott showed me a photo her friend had sent her of the H&M in Atlanta (she’s from nearby Marietta): every woman in the dressing room (about five of them) was trying on her blue dress.

Parrott's winning H&M dress

“I just started doing this six months ago,” Parrott said, taking it all in. “I did Charleston fashion week, got People’s Choice [award] and then Fashion Star came calling and then I did this, and now I’m here–so it’s been really really fast.”

Why Fashion Star over, say, Project Runway? “The platform of the show is just so much more fascinating to me than a Project Runway,” Parrott said. “It’s in stores. We don’t make things out of meat or corn husks or dog collars, it’s true ready-to-wear clothes, and that’s what I do.”

Nikki Poulus, another contestant on Fashion Star (who designed the sold-out caftans bought by Macy’s), also on hand at H&M, agreed. “It’s not clothes made of napkins,” she said, “this is really about the business of fashion.” Though she admitted she wasn’t expecting the American Idol-style spectacle. “I was a little bit surprised at the scale of it and the flashing lights and the music and the dancers and I felt a little underdressed,” Poulus said. “This week there were ladies in fishnets and leather on Harley Davidsons…and I’m very low key by nature.”

I watched last night, and I have to agree...smoke machines, fireworks and dancers on stage really made it look...cheap. I don't think the fashion world will take this show seriously, however, all that matters is ratings and the designs selling out each week. I didn't love anything enough to want to buy it, although I have to say that I loved Nicole Richie's headband. Where can I get that? 

Fashion Star

Will you be watching?

From WWD

LOS ANGELES — “American Idol” has produced Grammy winners, but reality TV has yet to produce a designer with mass commercial success. By adding retail to the formula, NBC’s “Fashion Star,” premiering Tuesday, aims to make business part of the entertainment.

“It’s the fashion version of ‘American Idol,’ a real business process,” said E.J. Johnston, a former IMG Fashion executive who created the show’s concept with producing partner James Deutch, a former Hearst Entertainment executive.

The grand prize, a $6 million contract with Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and H&M, will be awarded to one of 14 contestants on the 10th episode finale. In addition, each week buyers can place orders after each runway presentation, and viewers can buy product online that night and in stores the next day.

“We like the idea of big entertainment with tangible prizes, not to mention viewers like instant gratification,” said Deutch. (The show was taped over the summer, allowing retailers time to produce the clothes.)

“With other shows, winners still need to find a way to make their business work,” said Johnston. “We wanted to show that dream-come-true moment where a buyer says ‘I want that,’ so we made them the judges.”

In addition to decision making on camera, buyers must bid against one another to carry a look exclusively. “I can honestly say the show was really competitive both from the design and the buying process,” said Nicole Christie, H&M’s communications manager who was one of the show’s “featured buyers.” “It’s like going to Sotheby’s. You have to act fast and outbid the competition,” said Terron E. Schaefer, Saks’ executive vice president and chief creative officer, also a featured buyer. But the advantages far outweighed the challenges. “It’s like a 10-hour commercial for Saks,” he said.

Noted Macy’s vice president-regional planning manager for women’s apparel Caprice Willard, “We’re on the cutting edge of new ways to find talent and bring fashion to viewers. It’s important that retailers be open [to it] because we have to evolve in order to stay relevant. Customers are armed with far more product knowledge than ever before, so it puts the onus on us to be one step ahead.”

For contestants, who ranged from designers at major fashion brands to bartenders, the show means a fast track to success. “Whether or not they progress to the finale, their success is limitless. I wouldn’t be surprised if some end up in Macy’s and other storefronts,” said Willard. “There were designers who sold hundreds of thousands of dollars who didn’t win the grand prize,” added Deutsch.

While it remains to be seen how the clothes will sell, all retailers were optimistic about their profitability. As for the show, it has sold to 25 countries, and producers are in discussions to develop foreign versions with local retailers. Deutsch and Johnston are now developing a similar show with a 1,000-door home goods retailer. Said Johnston, “There are thousands of fascinating processes out there to add entertainment to.”

Fashion Star host and executive producer Elle Macpherson is on the hunt for "the next big fashion icon."

Beginning March 13 at 9:30 p.m. EST, 14 contestants will show mini-collections each week in hopes of having their designs sold at retail stores Saks Fifth Avenue, H&M or Macy's.

Celebrities Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos will serve as the contestants' mentors throughout the series. "You can actually buy the next day what you see on the stage," Simpson, 31, says. "That's such a great concept!"

Adds Varvatos: "It's not just about creating this fantasy that nobody in the end can really buy. It's about selling clothes to America."

Fashion Star premieres Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. EST on NBC.