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2 Texas designers go heel-to-heel on NBC's Fashion Star and show's buyer plansHouston visit
Two Austin women will represent the Lone Star state on NBC's second season of Fashion Star. And from what we can decipher through their designs, they couldn't be more different.
NBC announced that Amber Perley of Pearl Southern Couture and Priscilla Barroso of Crowned Bird are two of 13 designers going head-to-head in the hopes of winning the multimillion-dollar prize of launching their own clothing line with Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue or Express.
Perley, who honors traditional Southern cities like New Orleans, Nashville and Savannah, has received rave reviews for her demure, preppy frocks. Barroso made a splash this fall with her debut Crowned Bird lookbook, which boasts a playful, eclectic, vintage point of view inspired by her Panamanian heritage and fanciful family.
Bubbly Brit Louise Roe takes the place of Elle Macpherson as this season's host; Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos remain celebrity mentors.
Among the featured buyers expected to return to the show are Saks Fifth Avenue's Terron Schaefer, who will also headline the Passion for Fashion luncheon on Feb. 28 at the Wortham Theater Center.
Schaefer will arrive in Houston directly from Milan and will give a first-hand report on the fall 2013 collections, along with his pick of the best trends for spring.
We predict that if the celeb mentors pick their favorites, Nicole Richie will fawn over Barroso's high-waisted skirts, while Jessica Simpson will be aflutter in response to Perley's modern Southern Belle flair.
To see how the Texas ladies fare, tune in to the Fashion Star season two opener March 8.