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`Fashion Star`: From the finale, pictured from left, are Ronnie Escalante, Nzimiro Oputa, Kara Laricks, Elle Macpherson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos. (photo by Tyler Golden/NBC)
"Fashion Star": From the finale, pictured from left, are Ronnie Escalante, Nzimiro Oputa, Kara Laricks, Elle Macpherson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos. (photo by Tyler Golden/NBC)

NBC's 'Fashion Star' crowns Kara Laricks as first winner

by jmaloni
Wed, May 16th 2012 08:40 am

Laricks earns $6 million in orders for capsule collections in Macy's, H&M and Saks Fifth Avenue stores

Press release

NBC's "Fashion Star" named Kara Laricks as America's first "Fashion Star" winner in Tuesday's season finale, earning Laricks the prize of a lifetime - $6 million in orders for capsule collections in Macy's, H&M and Saks Fifth Avenue stores.

In the final challenge, the remaining three contestants were tasked with creating separate showcases consisting of three garments for each of the retailers. The winning garments are now available online and in stores.

Laricks' winning designs beat out two fellow finalists: Ronnie Escalante and Nzimiro Oputa. Her win comes on the heels of NBC renewing the freshman reality series for a second cycle in 2012-13.

A former fourth-grade school teacher, Laricks always told her students to be true to themselves. Finally, she took her own advice and pursued a career in fashion. She designs androgynous clothing for women, inspired by her love of menswear and an avant-garde Japanese design aesthetic. Best known for her hoodie scarves, collar-plus-tie, Laricks puts a spin on what is deemed traditional women's fashion.

Find her on Twitter at @KaraLaricks.

Celebrity mentors Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos played a crucial role guiding the designers throughout the competition with the hopes that the three retailers would vie for the right to purchase and exclusively carry the work of the up-and-coming designers each week.

"Fashion Star" will return for its second season during winter 2013 on Sundays (8 p.m.).

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