Fashion Star Season 2 Episode 9 Trending Now-And-Then

Fashion Star is a reality TV competition show where 12 designers compete to create the best clothes and accessories for sale in the world's most popular retail stores. Hosted by Louise Roe, with judges Nicole Richie, Jessica Simpson, and John Varvatos, and mentors Rachel Zoe, Daniel Silverstein, and Caprice Willard, the show focuses on the designers' talent, creativity, and business acumen as they face challenges, critiques, and eliminations in each episode.

In season 2 episode 9, entitled "Trending Now-And-Then," the remaining 5 designers are tasked with creating two looks that blend vintage and modern styles in a seamless way. They must choose a decade from the 20th century, from the 1920s to the 1980s, and incorporate its fashion elements into contemporary designs that appeal to a modern audience. Each designer is assigned a mentor who helps them pick fabrics and accessories, refine their ideas, and guide them through the production process.

The designers' sketches are reviewed by the judges, who give them feedback on their concepts and suggest ways to improve or simplify them. They stress the importance of editing, cohesion, and innovation in this challenge, as the designers need to show their originality and adaptability to succeed. One of the designers, in particular, struggles with taking risks and trusting their instincts, leading to some tension with their mentor and doubts about their potential.

After a day of intense work in the sewing room, the designers present their outfits on the runway in front of the judges, the mentors, and representatives from H&M, Macy's, and Saks Fifth Avenue. They explain their vision, inspiration, and techniques, hoping to impress the buyers and secure a purchase order for their designs. The judges evaluate the clothes based on their creativity, wearability, marketability, and adherence to the challenge, and ask the designers tough questions about their choices and their brand identity.

The results are mixed, as some designers nail the balance between vintage and modern, while others struggle with the execution or the interpretation of the theme. A few designs stand out for their elegance, sophistication, or versatility, while others are criticized for being too literal, too safe, or too confusing. The mentors also provide feedback on their mentees' performance, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses and giving them advice for the next challenge.

In the end, one designer is deemed the winner of the challenge, based on the cumulative scores from the judges and the buyers. Their design is praised for its clever use of prints, colors, and textures, and for its ability to appeal to different generations and occasions. They are awarded the prize of a $10,000 bonus and the opportunity to sell their collection in one of the retailers' stores.

Meanwhile, two designers are in jeopardy of elimination, as their designs failed to impress both the judges and the buyers. They are given a final chance to redeem themselves by creating a third outfit that combines the best elements of their previous looks and showcases their signature style. They have limited time and resources to execute this challenge, and they feel the pressure mounting as the clock ticks down.

The episode ends with a cliffhanger, as the judges deliberate on which designer should be sent home and which one should continue to the next challenge. The tension is high, as the contestants have formed close bonds and respect each other's talents, but they also know that the competition is fierce and unforgiving. The viewers are left wondering who will be the Fashion Star of the week and who will be the next one to go home empty-handed.