Fashion Star Winner: The Designs in Stores

The final show has aired and Hunter was crowned the winner, congrats to Hunter! This season, instead of having the designs in stores the following day, they were only available online. But Hunter's winning collections for all three retailers are available not just online, but also in select stores. Naturally, we can find them in Macy's Herald Square and Express on 34th Street. Can you tell I'm partial to the Express Fashion Star designs the best?!

Namely because of that fabulous moto vest, awesome black and white blouse, and the really, really comfortable black skirt that I'm wearing with the white blouse. The skater skirt is adorable, too. Also, Hunter's collection at Express fit me better.

The Macy's Hunter collection skews way more ladylike, and is very pretty. My favorite piece is that mint mesh top: it's perfection and also comes in pink. Forget about finding this red scuba lace dress in store, there's only one size 8 left.

 Here's hoping Macy's and Express return next season to Fashion Star!


Express
7 West 34th Street just west of Fifth Avenue
Macy's Herald Square
151 West 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue

Fashion Star's Fashion's Night Out at Macy's Herald Square

Yes, this will be my T.

Fashion Night Out is less than a month away, and stores are starting to finalize their schedules. The excitement is building here at Fashion Herald because Macy's Herald Square has an amazing line-up, as they do every year. But this year it's extra special...

Meet The Stars of Fashion Star @ Herald Square
Thursday, September 6th, Impulse on 3
151 W. 34th St.
New York, NY
Get the real scoop behind the hit show Fashion Star with Macy's own Caprice Willard and winner Kara Laricks.* *All events subject to change or cancellation.

CAPRICE!!! KARA!!! Are you feeling my excitement yet? Of course, there's also Michael Kors, Vogue Accessories Editor Rickie De Sole, Clinton Kelly, B. Michael, Scott Disick, Bethenny Frankel, and more. For all the latest Macy's FNO info, text FNONY to 62297 for updates on Fashion's Night Out at Herald Square and for Macy's Mobile alerts.

Macy's Herald Square

151 West 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue

Searching for Fashion Star

When I saw the Fashion Star on sale on Macys.com, I had to go to Herald Square and stalk the sale racks to see if any was still hanging around. Guess what? Hardly any of the Kara Laricks final collection is there. ALMOST NONE. But if you want to look for yourself, I found the below pants on the third floor, Broadway side, in the sale racks at the bar III department. I also found a sole, plum Lizzie tunic, but personally I found it awkwardly constructed and really short.

Top and green lace bra underneath is bar III, pants are from Kara Laricks final Fashion Star collection.

And, because I was in the land of bar III, I had to try on some of that, too. I would have gotten these orange pants but they were just a bit too short. I like my wide-leg hems dragging on the ground.

Yeah, I got the whole look. I realized I don't have a pair of good neutral trousers, shocking! And that grey top is #1. really long in the back for days you're trying to hide something, and #2. very lightweight for summer. I'd be in heels if I hadn't thrown out my back last week. Thanks, Kimmie Smith x Sebago shoes!

We're still working on zipper skills.

Macy's Herald Square
151 West 34th Street between Broadway & Seventh Avenue

Fashion Star Episode #9: The H&M Buy

Don't get me wrong, the Kara Laricks trench coat at Macy's is a totally buy-able piece. I'd get both the red and tan if American Express and my husband, who abducted my American Express card, would let me. Sadly, neither are in the mood to comply these days.

Ronnie's white pantsuit didn't do it for me so much, namely due to the fit of the pants (too short for my long inseam). But honestly, the jacket didn't blow me away, either. I thought the length of the jacket looked awkward on TV, and felt the same way in-store.

His dress at H&M is a different story. This is a fantastic day piece, every girl should run to the nearest H&M and buy if you can. It's work-appropriate and sexy in that stark, menswear way.

Also fantastic at H&M: Orly's jackets and her pants, which, even with the side pockets, are super slimming. Go ASAP if you want the yellow jacket as there were only a few left in 6, 8, and 10 this morning.

Kara's dress: OK, honestly, Kara, I wouldn't call it sexy, either, but I love it!

Next week, for the finale? I was surprised Luciana didn't make the cut, and I think Orly is just hitting her stride, and John Varvatos put a plug in for Ronnie. But today I was kind of snoozing over Ronnie's pleats and folds. They are starting to feel one-trick-pony like Nikki's maxis. I find Kara to be a much more interesting designer, so I'm standing by my pick! Go, Kara!


H&M Herald Square & Penn Station
34th Street at Sixth Avenue, and 34th Street at Seventh Avenue

Macy's Herald Square
34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue

Fashion Star Episode 7: Sarah is Not Our Fashion Star

Only three episodes left! What are we going to complain about when Fashion Star is gone? I'm starting to get depressed. Sarah was eliminated last night, which normally would make me really depressed, but the whining had to end.

Who's my pick to win? Well, my track record is crap because I was a fan of Sarah's early on, but I'm thinking Kara or Luciana. Ross should have been gone this week, Nzi-me-me has been designing blahs, and Nikki seems unable to produce anything beyond a maxi. She was second in line for most annoying. Really, a mini-skirt is such a wild departure for a designer?

Luciana is more commercial, so Vegas odds would most likely be on her. And her H&M dress this week (above) is a stunner. Lined, well-constructed, nice fabric, this one is a steal at $39.95. Please ignore the fact that I can't zip up the side on the size 10. I'm in total H&M size 12 denial. I AM NOT A 12, I AM AN 8! Or sometimes a 10.

Now on to Macy's, where I'm always an 8. Relief. Ronnie could be the wild card as week after week he's quietly upping his game. Last week's swimsuit was a bold move that resulted in a very cute item. This week's gown really shows off his skill: the detail in the back and the slit in the front are just the right amount of architecture and wow.

I'm expecting the drama to be amped up next week. But I expect that every week and am always left wanting more. Perhaps that's their trick. Next week I'm in Des Moines, Iowa, on vacation (Spa Grandma), so I'm going to track down a Macy's there and see if they carry Fashion Star. If not, see you Week 9!


Macy's Herald Square 34th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue
H&M Penn Station 34th Street and Seventh Avenue

Fashion Star Episode 6: I Rant a Lot and Rave a Little

It was Nicole Richie's time to shine as a mentor last night and her advice was flawless. Ross doing lingerie was a great fit and I loved the outcome on TV but wasn't as thrilled with it in person at H&M Herald Square. The bra was bulky under my shirt (I'm wearing it below). Also, I couldn't try on the shorts which is great for sanitary purposes but if I loved the fit they would have swung me into the "buy" category. The white set with the green trim will be gone by tomorrow, while there was ample pink with black trim this afternoon.

Meh. And I do really like Nzimiro! But meh.

Nzimiro's dress, many of which were still on the selling floor today, was so infuriatingly difficult to get on that I wanted to tear it off the hangar and stomp it into little pieces on the dressing room floor. Seriously! There is a silky under-dress that has a side-zip and a lining but is attached to the outer "boho" sheer hanging thing, which means three layers of slippery fabric and disappearing armholes. Forget about where to put your head. Once on I found it somewhat charming, cuter than on the runway (the shoulders have been tweaked, I think, to make this more modern and less frumpy), but was too annoyed to buy. Everyone who bought it online won't have these problems as they will immediately detach the two pieces and deal with them separately. Although that means the sheer top piece will now be shifting around your shoulders. Oh, enough already, I'm exhausted just thinking about it! Nzimiro, no more overwrought womenswear, please.

Macy's buy: the swimsuit was so close for me, but this is a bathing suit that needs breasts to look good. The other end of things was perfection; it's such a relief to wear a sexy one-piece that actually covers your ass. Ronnie's cut is beautiful and I like the small design details like the sheer panels. Size selection is still a good in both colors on the floor at Herald Square.

Luciana's jacket is more than quite nice. It looks very vintage and the fabric that I thought would be heavy for spring is actually very lightweight. Upon donning the light pink style I fell madly in love (although in photos the blue (right) really stands out, right?). It's a special little jacket. All three colors are sold-out online but there are still several in store, mostly in larger sizes, but the multi-colored jacket (left) is almost gone.

Macy's Herald Square 151 W. 34th Street between Broadway & Seventh Ave
H&M Herald Square 34th Street and Broadway 

Fashion Star Episode 5: Sold Out in Stores

I made the mistake of waiting a day to try on Nikki and Sarah's H&M Fashion Star buys, and that was a day too late. Sold out at H&M Herald Square! There might have been something left at H&M Penn Station, but my feet were too hurting to walk that big block between Broadway and Seventh Avenue. It's been a long week.

There are Fashion Star pieces left at Macy's Herald Square, though, so I tried on Ronnie's lovely sheath dress (above, black and print almost sold out online) and Ross' vest (pink pin-striped now sold out online). America and I obviously have very different tastes. The navy vest was OK, but totally didn't like the pink pin-stripe. It was way too "ice-cream shoppe" and makes me want to send Ross about five years of Vogue back copies, and not from the 1950's. He's often on the right track with an idea but it rarely translates as modern. The sole exception is his adorable satin shorts from episode three.

I'm going to sound egotistical here and say I do kind of make the pink vest up there look cute. And obviously the rest of American is into pink pinstripes. The fit of this vest was surprisingly tight across the back. The 8 didn't fit me, and Macy's 8s always fit me. But I have a very broad back and this is a typical problem for me. If you are similarly built for football, go up a size.

Ronnie's sheath is a perfect sheath with a nice surprise in the back. I can't say much else, as it's not a ground-breaking dress, but is a perfectly cut LBD, print or pink addition to your dress wardrobe.


Macy's Herald Square 151 W. 34th Street between Broadway & Seventh Ave
H&M Herald Square 34th Street and Broadway 

Fashion Star Episode 4: My Picks

If you aren't convinced that Sarah Parrott is going to be a very well-employed designer after Fashion Star, go try on her red dress at H&M today. I say today, because tomorrow it will most likely be sold out. The red dress rack at Herald Square H&M was looking sparse this morning at 10am.

Will Sarah be a Marc Jacobs or Rodarte? No, but she could aspire to be a future DVF or Donna Karan. Her red dress (above) is perfect for work, and the white is perfect for after-work. Nikki's maxi (above) knocked me out on the "runway" last night, but in store I wasn't as 100%. I loved the long sleeves, the satiny cuffs, the pattern, and the neckline. But somehow the cut on the bottom wasn't slaying me. I think this is my shape issue, as I would want this longer.

The biggest surprise? Barbara's printed, halter-neck dress that can be found at Macy's Herald Square. It is beautifully cut, fit is perfect, and I love the print. Last night, though, I didn't like it on the runway. The color on TV wasn't doing it for me. But Caprice, the Macy's buyer, knows her customer. It's not my style, but a lot of women are going to get huge value all spring and summer from this perfect and pretty $99 dress. If I played the designer game with Barbara, I would peg her as the next Ellen Tracy or Dana Buchman.

Cross-promotion alert: my sunglasses throughout are House of Harlow from the Macy's Fashion Star party


Macy's Herald Square 151 W. 34th Street between Broadway & Seventh Ave
H&M Herald Square 34th Street and Broadway

Fashion Star Episode 3: All About Shorts (and Maxis)

Oh Fashion Star, my prime time frenemy! I'm so hooked on you but am so over your superfluous music acts and cheesy runway, acrobats, dancers, goofy Vegas lighting and all. Why not emulate Fashion Week productions, where you have a nice long runway, 100% focus on the clothes, and the best best music and staging a big city can offer?

So why am I going back for more? Because I adore the panels and I love trying on the clothes the next day. And this show has no pretensions of being Project Runway or creating high fashion pieces. Instead it weekly churns out wearable, cute, and often very affordable looks for your wardrobe. This week it's perfect shorts and pretty maxis. First up, the buy from Macys:

Ross's satin shorts were my favorite item this week. They are perfect. They're so good there was a woman doing her damnedest to get a smaller size off the mannequin at Macy's Herald Square. GO buy these shorts.

Everyone was worried about the fit of Nikki's palazzo jumpsuit, but Macy's has cured all her fit woes. The lavender on the right is baggy because I tried the large for comparison. The groovy print was the biggest surprise, I actually prefer it to the black (not shown). This is an good fit, nice length, easy on and off which we all love for summer, and scores an all around A for Adorable.

Next, the buy from H&M:

Pretty, pretty, pretty. Again, I was in-between sizes with Sarah's H&M dress (this is my post-baby body issue) but this dress is so very lovely and sexy. Yup, you can give Angelina leg in front, and then work that sheer, racerback inset in the back. BUY this now.

Here's what all us girls should steal from H&M men's: Nzimiro's shorts. How freaking cute would these be with loafers? Or go nuts and wear it with a monster platform sandal and a tiny tank. That great oversized sweater is also H&M.


Macy's Herald Square 151 W. 34th Street between Broadway & Seventh Ave
H&M Herald Square 34th Street and Broadway

Fashion Star Episode 2: Trying on the Clothes

This is where I try on the clothes Macy's and H&M bought from Fashion Star contestants.

How sweet is Lisa's dress at Macy's? It's not really my style, but totally suits its purpose: simple, lovely work or summer-day-affair type dress. Meaning, you're-meeting-his-parents-at-church type affair.

This week it's pants for Sarah at H&M.

Ugh iPhone pics, forgot my camera!

Fabric is lightweight and slightly stretchy, and the pants hung nicely on the leg. I love the pocket detail and the black band on the waistband, but the fit was off for me again this week, namely because I have a very long inseam. Just a bit too short, otherwise I would have definitely picked up the blue. The white I adore, but they are too see-through for work wear.

Back to Macy's, where the Fashion Star is on the third floor, Broadway side: girls, go try on Nzimiro's shirt. It rocks.

There's also some Week One selections further back towards the Starbucks on the third floor, including lots of Lizzie's tunic in purple (only a few in black), a few of Nikki's caftan in white eyelet, and lots of Edmond's dresses in white (just a couple left in black).

Hm. I'm feeling very Jane Austen/I need to go read in the garden. Not exactly me.

Whoa, mama! This is a dress? One wrong bend and you're seeing that which should not be revealed in public. I'd definitely pair it with leggings, though!


H&M Herald Square 34th Street & Sixth Avenue
H&M Penn Station 34th Street & Seventh Avenue
Macy's Herald Square 34th Street between Broadway & Seventh Avenue