Jessica Simpson Bumps Heads With NBC's 'Fashion Star' Contestant
NBC's "Fashion Star" premiered on Tuesday night and viewers were stunned after witnessing celebrity mentors Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie bump heads with one of the 14 aspiring designers.
In one segment, Australian contestant Nicholas, a model turned fashion designer, made offensive remarks in response to Richie's critique of his clothing line.
"It's very hard to understand the girls giving advice about men's fashion," Nicholas candidly told the panel of mentors.
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"I'm a little bit offended. A lot a bit, actually. To talk down to a woman in this business? We're running the world right now," Simpson blasted as Richie insisted her advice was intended to help and not upset contestants.
"I really kind of want to hit you across the face right now," Simpson jokingly added.
The reality show has been described as a cross between Lifetime Television's "Project Runway" and Bravo TV's "The Fashion Show" with a game show twist, and its debut episode was nothing short of entertaining.
While in most reality fashion shows contestants must win the competition before seeing their creations in stores, "Fashion Star" places contestants' designs before a bidding panel with the highest bidders securing the opportunity to see their designs in renowned clothing stores like Saks, Macy's and H&M.
The show puts an innovative spin on retail product placement, and enables viewers and fashionistas to purchase designs the next business day.
"This is not just a competition where you win and you don't know what to do next. Every week we're creating brands," said Nicole Christie, spokeswoman for H&M's North American division and one of three judges on the one-hour show.
After failing to receive any bids for his unique designs, Nicholas was sent home as the show came to a close.
The winner of "Fashion Star" receives $6 million in orders for his or her designs from all three retailers.
