Unlike other design competition shows "Fashion Star" puts an immediate price tag on the contestants' creations. In each episode buyers from Macy's, H&M, and Saks Fifth Avenue bid on the articles of clothing that they want to carry in their stores. And while Sarah Parrott leads the pack with five items sold for a grand total of $300,000, Australian-born Nikki Poulos is on her tail with four designs picked up by the judges tallying $250,000.
Nikki Poulos Might Be the Dark Horse for the 'Fashion Star' Grand Prize.
Parrott might seem like a shoe in for the ultimate prize, which host Elle Macpherson describes each week as "their very own collection worth $6 million." But Poulos just might be the dark horse, not only because she seems to have caught the attention of the buyers, but because she's also willing to absorb everyone's feedback about her designs and go beyond her comfort zone.
In a recent interview she remarked, "I did actually really listen to what the mentors and the buyers told me, particularly the buyers. The last three years have pretty much [been] resort wear, swimwear, very easy glamour/casual for the beach to dinner where I do a lot of maxi dresses."
Nikki Poulos Is Expanding Her Usual Line in an Effort To Become the 'Fashion Star'
Given that "Fashion Star" is unlikely to crown a champion who only focused on bathing suits and cover-ups, Poulos put a lot of thought into ways she could stay true to her vision for her line but rise to the challenges at hand. She's been wise so far to listen to the feedback from the buyers - Caprice Willard, Nicole Christie, and Terron Schaefer.
Nikki conceded that she's constantly reevaluating her business and creative ideas because she wants to succeed and expand. As a result she has tried to imagine herself not just in her beach-y lifestyle, but if she happened to live differently. She reflected on these notions, saying, "If I was in another environment, what would I wear? What are these pieces? What are the pieces that I really would love to have the opportunity to wear? And that's how I do it."
A willingness to change just might be the key to Poulos' ability to take the top slot. But she'll have to overcome any unwillingness to play along with the challenges to do so. Last week she was very vocal about the fact that she didn't feel her designs should require a story like the one that was part of the Window Dressing challenge.
But if Poulos can keep her attitude in check and be flexible about her fashion boundaries, she could be the one to beat. Tune in to "Fashion Star" every Tuesday at 10pm EST/9pm CST on NBC.
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