A Fashion Star Recap - J.K. Holland weighs in on Episode Five Living Department Store April 10, 2012

Fashion Star – Episode Five Living Department Store April 10, 2012

By J.K. Holland

As a hardcore fan of fashion and makeover reality shows like What Not To Wear and Project Runway, I was excited to DVR NBC’s fashion reality answer, Fashion Star. Complete with designers, brand names, models, fashion magazine regulars and designer stores this show has all the makings of a runaway best seller. While I like Fashion Star overall, this show begs some obvious questions:

• What exactly do the buyer’s dollar amounts mean? Do the designer contestants get a cut of it? Does it go toward manufacturing? Please Elle MacPherson explain it already.
• I know the show’s only an hour long, but I think we should be able to see all the contestant’s designs on the runway. Why do they cut show time for sold designs but show some of the failed ones?
• When winning fashion’s are ‘sold  out’ exactly how many of the outfits are sold and made? An aftermarket financial recap would complete the cycle from the beginning of design to selling to a retail store to a customer buying it off the rack.
• As the show goes on what if every designs gets sold or only two are not sold then how do the eliminations work?

Now let’s move to the episode 5 recap:

Favorite Sold Item: Ross Bennett – Double Breasted Vest, especially the pink one.

Favorite Unsold Item: Nzimiro Puta – Casual Men Jacket. The button and detailing were eye catching, wearable and trend leading.

Worse decision by the mentors: Saving Barbara Bates. Her designs have been awkward and lackluster. Instead of giving a variety on her Pinstripe Skirt and Ruffle Top, she chose the exact same bottom for all three. As John Varvatos pointed out, this was her chance to show some creativity.

Most Hated Design: Kara Laricks – Shirt dress. Looks too much like you are wearing your boyfriend’s shirt. It is too casual to wear to the office or for day wear.  They should be marketed as pajamas.

Just Shut Up Aleady: Jessica Simpson and Ross Bennett – The constant Texas and down home references and bonding. As a Texas girl, even I am tired of this obnoxious banter.