Plot Synopsis

A group of unknown fashion designers compete in elimination challenges that further develop and expand their brands, as they vie for a multi-million dollar prize of launching their original collections in three of the nation's largest fashion retailers: Macy's, H&M and Saks Fifth Avenue stores in the show's inaugural season and Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Express stores in Season 2. The fashion designers -- 14 competitors in Season 1 and 13 in the show's second season -- include everyone from the stay-at-home mom who makes her own clothes to sell at the local community market to the recent design-school graduate who has been with major design houses to an engineer who is a self-taught designer. Many of the contestants came to the competition with their own existing lines and will be challenged to take their brand to the next level by designing clothes for real people to buy. At the end of each episode, America has the chance to immediately purchase the winning designs showcased on the episode that week, and the series enlisted judges from three of the world's top retailers -- Caprice Willard of Macy's (both seasons), Terron E. Schaefer of Saks Fifth Avenue (both seasons), Nicole Christie of H&M (Season 1), and Erika DeSalvatore of Express (Season 2) -- who vie for the right to purchase and exclusively carry the work of these up-and-coming designers. Each week, designers who do not sell any of their items are up for elimination, one of whom can be saved by the three celebrity mentors: Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos. Season 2, which premiered on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 8pm ET/PT on NBC, featured a new host, fashion journalist and expert Louise Roe, replacing Elle Macpherson.