"Fashion Star" Finale Report: And We Have a Winner!

Language English

by Ann Binlot

Published: May 16, 2012

The first season of NBC’s “Fashion Star” is finally at its end after 10 weeks of outrageous runway shows filled with scantily clad dancers, bright lights, and blazing fireworks — oh yeah, and clothes too. Three contestants — Kara Laricks, Ronnie Escalante, and Nzimiro Oputa — remained, and only one could be the fashion reality show’s winner. For the finale, each designer had to create a three-piece capsule collection for each of the three retailers: H&M, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Macy’s. With $6 million ($2 million from each retailer) in buys awaiting the winner, everybody put forth their best effort.

First up was the trend-driven, mass-market retailer H&M. Laricks went for a graphic circle print maxi dress, tan drop crotch cropped suit, orange shorts, and a white sleeveless collared blouse. Oputa, who primarily designs menswear, created a summery collection, stepping out of his comfort zone with a women’s ensemble — a shrunken version of his men’s aesthetic consisting of a vest, sleeveless shirt, and trousers — and two men’s shirts with tilted pockets and leather accents, and pants and shorts. Escalante, the quiet one of the bunch, made a jumpsuit, suit, and flirty cocktail dress.

All three of the designers pretty much nailed it. H&M buyer Nicole Christie told Laricks that the drop crotch was “bold, but a bit difficult for the H&M customer.” Oputa’s ladies outfit “blew my socks off,” she said. For Escalante, Christie said that his choice of black was a little off for the retailer, but that “we can definitely see you selling those garments at H&M.” Not bad, considering it took him five weeks to make his first sale.

Next, the finalists put out their collections for the high-end luxury department store Saks Fifth Avenue. Oputa teased Laricks, calling her the “Saks Princess” because of her numerous sales to the retailer. Laricks put out a gorgeous gold evening dress with tail details, a trench coat, and slacks. Oputa traveled to the beach for his Saks collection, creating three men’s looks. Escalante went for elegance with a long short-sleeved floral dress, a short cocktail dress, and a women’s white suit.

“You are absolutely a leader, not a follower,” mentor John Varvatos told Laricks, after praising the trench and the evening dress.” Saks buyer Teron Schaefer went gaga for Oputa’s collection, telling him “it was the perfect wardrobe for a beach weekend.” Escalante got the harshest critique from Schaefer, who told him, ”I have a hard time believing it’s a capsule collection.”

The designers’ collections for mid-market retailer Macy’s were showcased last. Laricks, who has struggled to reach the mass consumer, created a black sleeveless A-line dress, shorts, a sleeveless collared printed shirt, and a white suit. Oputa pegged the Macy’s customer with three looks that included a hooded men’s cardigan, a graphic polo, and on-trend men’s button-up shirts. Escalante again went for an inconsistent collection consisting of a double-lapel women’s suit, flowy floral evening dress, and three-quarters sleeve printed blocking dress.

“I absolutely think your line has a place in our stores on our contemporary floor,” Macy’s buyer Caprice Willard told Laricks. Oputa’s collection “nailed it,” according to Willard, who also questioned whether he could translate his designs into more structured looks. “Every single item was a perfect stand alone piece,” she told Escalante. “But could we make it work as a collection?”

The mentors and buyers deliberated over who should be the fashion star. They hailed the self-taught Oputa for his signature detailing in his slick menswear creations. They questioned whether Laricks had the ability to translate her mostly high-fashion aesthetic into more commercial looks. Varvatos called Escalante “the strongest” over the last four weeks. Willard said that Escalante was more “saleable,” but also said that she had “a lot of Ronnies on my floor.” If we tried to predict the winner from that footage, it would have been a toss-up.

So who received the monster $6 million purchase from Saks, Macy’s, and H&M? Laricks, the New York-based 38-year-old elementary school teacher turned designer. In our opinion, her designs overall were the most fashion forward out of the final three and we can’t wait to see if her name turns up in the future. As for the $6 million, it must have bought a lot of a high volume of quantity, because all of her garments are still available online. It has been a fun 10 weeks, “Fashion Star.” Until next season.

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