Fashion Star, Episode 3: Suddenly So Last Summer

Welcome back, fashion fans! Previously on How Do You Say “Adios” in El Salvador? Wait, Never Mind, the 13 remaining designers each designed another set of three looks in the hopes that one of the three buyers would bite at their hooks. However, only four of those designers got a bid, including the one that nearly got sent to the bargain rack one week earlier. Despite his colorful personality, designs, and hats, Oscar Fierro could not convince the buyers or mentors to keep him around.

In ratings news, Fashion Star’s second episode received a small bump in overall viewers, but it still couldn’t top five million. It also lost the 18-49 lead to CBS’s Unforgettable, though 1.8 is still not bad for NBC. Let’s see what happens after this week.

But first, we have to see what happens during this actual episode. The top 12 designers are tasked to create a set of looks specifically for the summer season. Sorry, but we’re not going to be seeing crazy challenges like they have on Project Runway. Anyway, since NBC needs to waste the time of a show that already needs pointless montages, we watch a guest performance of “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO and Quest Crew. You know, because it’s a summer song. From last summer. So unfashionable, right?

Anyway, the first group includes my personal favorite, Orly “YA RLY” Shani. Orly moved to New York from southern California, leaving her family behind. She believes her family has more faith in her than she does, so this show is her way to prove them right. Orly plans on mixing prints to make a summertime dress, but Nicole Richie doesn’t care for what Orly has so far. Nicole asks for more neon colors. Orly gets lost in a sea of fabric trying to make things work. John Varvatos asks Orly to take a break, then offers her a hug. Orly knows she needs to make changes, but she doesn’t know what those changes are. After a while, Orly chooses color blocking with a nice pop of color for summer. Orly’s mom and brother show up for support. That is what she needs, Orly thinks.

As for the more ignored two in this trio, Barbara Bates is creating a man’s collar with print color-blocking. She’s nervous about having no bids yet, so she wants that to change. Ronnie Escalante has been sketching since he was seven years old. He also has had no buys yet, so he feels that his passion is not getting through to the buyers. Nicole advises Ronnie to let go and not be so safe.

The first show is set to Katy Perry’s summer smash from two years ago, “California Gurls.” Orly’s sheath dresses show nice color choices and simple, functional pockets. I’m digging the print choices B on Barbara’s shirt dresses. As for Ronnie’s asymmetrical draped dresses, the models look like they are wearing parachutes. I had the same complaint about Kara’s dresses last week, so he’ll probably get a bid.

Nicole thinks Ronnie’s presentation is genius, though the dresses may have too much fabric. Orly’s family cheers before John notes how panicked Orly was before. John says Orly got back on track, and Jessica Simpson wants to make an order on all three colors. Nicole loves the prints Barbara used, and she says she will be shocked if the buyers pass on Barbara again.

Orly faces the buyers first, with Macy’s offering $70,000. Saks Fifth Avenue tops with $110,000. Terron Schaffer of Saks loves the acid colors and the detailing on the pockets. Caprice Willard of Macy’s agrees, so she matches Terron’s offer. Terron bumps his offer up to $120,000. Faced with the decision of giving up more money or Orly’s dresses, Caprice goes economical and concedes. Surprisingly, Barbara loses all three buyers again. Terron is just worried that Barbara is not showing anything new. Not so surprisingly, all buyers pass on Ronnie. Nikki Christie of H&M can see the hanger appeal of Ronnie’s design along with the poor construction and excess amount of fabric used.

After a product-placed trip to the hair salon, we move on to the next group. Nikki Poulos wants to show off more tailoring skills, so she is making a jumpsuit. This kind of style is not new to Nikki, even considering her background, but it’s still different from what she has shown so far.

Sarah Parrot works on a wrap dress, with Jessica wanting her to mix print and solid for a pop of color. Sarah is happy to have been bought twice, but it’s only from H&M. She notes that Nzimiro has had everyone interested in him, so she wants to focus on every store. Nzimiro says his menswear usually has little detail, so he’s adding some to his designs. Nicole thinks “curtains” of his feminine fabrics, so he drops it. Nikki is mortified about the wedgies in her jumpsuits, but she is hoping the buyers notice what she’s going for instead.

The song used in this show is… something. Honestly, I have no clue. The colors seem a little tame on Nikki’s palazzo jumpsuits, and the fit is embarrassing. Next are Sarah’s wrap maxi dresses, and I love the mix of the black and blue fabrics on the one look. As for Nzimiro’s European cut shorts, meh. They look too much like swim trunks to me.