SEVEN DESIGNERS' CREATIONS WERE PURCHASED ON THE MARCH 8 PREMIERE OF NBC'S "FASHION STAR"

Retailers Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Express Pledged $855,000 Toward Seven "Showstopping" Designs Featured in the Season 2 Premiere

Winning Purchases are Immediately Available Online at the Retailers' Websites

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. - March 11, 2013 - NBC premiered the second season of its reality competition show "Fashion Star" last Friday (March 8). Twelve designers prepared for their first challenge which was to design a "showstopping" garment that would wow the buyers - Caprice Willard of Macy's, Terron Schaefer of Saks Fifth Avenue and Erika DeSalvatore of Express. Seven designs were purchased with a total of $855,000 pledged by the retailers.

The winning fashions are immediately available online once the retailer makes a bid. "Fashion Star" airs Fridays (8-9 p.m. ET).

Dallas-based designer Amber Perley started off the night with a big vote of confidence from Express for her Mod Flare Dress and Milan-based designer Silvia Arguello impressed Saks Fifth Avenue with her Coat Dress. Daniel Silverstein also impressed Saks Fifth Avenue with his Cocktail Dress and Johana Hernandez hit the mark with Macy's for her Chain Detail Ruffle Hem Tulip Dress. New York City-based designer Hunter Bell made a triumphant return to Saks Fifth Avenue with her Maxi Dress but designs by fellow team members David Appel, Tori Nichel and JesseRay Vasquez/Garrett Gerson were not purchased. In the end, designer Bret Young went home.

The purchases made in the premiere follow:

MACY'S

(www.macys.com/fashionstar)

Johana Hernandez 's Chain Detail Ruffle Hem Tulip Dress was purchased in black and will retail for $109.00.

Brandon Scott's Convertible Hoodie and Vest were purchased in both denim/grey and grey/grey versions, and will retail for $129.00.

Pricilla Barrosso's Keyhole Printed A-line Romper was purchased in the beige/polka dot version, and will retail for $99.00.

SAKS FIFTH AVENUE

(www.saksfifthavenue.com/fashionstar)

Hunter Bell's Midi Dress was purchased in red, and will retail for $225.00.

Silvia Arguello's Coatdress was purchased in black, and will retail for $280.00.

Daniel Silverstein's Cocktail Dress was purchased in red/black, and will retail for $240.00.

EXPRESS

(www.express.com/fashionstar)

Amber Perley's Mod Flare Dress was purchased in both orange/blue and chalk/black versions, and will retail for $69.90.

Hosted by fashion journalist Louise Roe and featuring celebrity mentors Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos, "Fashion Star" gives 12 designers the chance to win a multi-million dollar prize of launching their original collections in three of the nation's largest fashion retailers, Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Express. The "Fashion Star" format was developed by Ben Silverman of Electus (NBC's "The Biggest Loser," "The Office," and "The Tudors") and Rick Ringbakk of Emmy Award-winning 5x5 Media ("Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution"), and E.J. Johnston and James Deutch of EJD Productions.

The show is executive-produced by Elle Macpherson, Ben Silverman of Electus, Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth of The Magical Elves, Rick Ringbakk of 5x5 Media, and EJ Johnston and James Deutch of EJD Productions. Electus International will retain all international distribution rights.

For embeddable clips and full episodes from "Fashion Star," please visit NBC.com's official show site: http://www.nbc.com/fashion-star/.

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