Macy's 'Fashion Star' Designs Sold Out Despite Low Ratings
NBC's "Fashion Star" designs have reportedly sold out at Macy's and have exceeded sales expectations at H&M and Saks Fifth Avenue despite the reality TV show's low ratings.
"Sales of Fashion Star merchandise exceeded expectations," Macy's spokesperson Holly Thomas recently told TV Guide.
The sold out designs include a Kimono-Sleeve Maxi Caftan Dress by aspiring designer, Nikki Poulos, from the show's debut episode, and a Sleeveless Pleated Empire Waist Dress by contestant, Lisa Vian Hunter, from episode two.
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Both dresses retail for less than $100, and critics are still trying to establish how the looks sold out despite low ratings with some suggesting that affordability may have played a role.
"Fashion Star" drew in 4.6 million viewers during its debut episode, although many of the show's viewers tuned out before the premiere ended, according to Examiner.com.
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.
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.
To view all of the "Fashion Star" designs purchased by Macy's, click HERE
