NBC's 'Fashion Star' Gets Big Asian Lift (Exclusive)

Fashion Star is going global.

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Following its March 13th bow on NBC, the Elle Macpherson-hosted fashion competition series will premiere across 20 countries in Asia on DIVA Universal. 

The expanded reach is a promising step for the 10-episode unscripted series that fourth place NBC is counting on to lure viewers and buzz this spring. Star features Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos as mentors to 14 unknown designers, each of whom is competing to win the show’s prize:  $6 million worth of orders for clothing lines in H&M, Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue.

In a bid to event-ize its programming, each episode will feature a fashion show complete with musical performances, dancers and models shot in front of a live studio audience. The contestants will be faced with a weekly challenge. Immediately following the episode, the winning designs will be available on the Web and in U.S. stores. 

“Fashion Star brings together top undiscovered designers, celebrity mentors and influential retailers in an exciting, new television format that the world has never seen before,” said Electus International President John Pollak. “With this new series, audiences will finally have the opportunity, not only to watch, but to actively participate in building the world’s next major fashion brand.”

The format, which is designed to do for fashion what Glee and American Idol have done for music, was developed by Electus’ Ben Silverman (The Biggest Loser, The Office), 5x5 Media’s Rick Ringbakk (Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution), and E.J. Johnston and James Deutch of EJD Productions. Each of them, along with Jane Lipsitz and Dan Cutforth of The Magical Elves and host Macpherson, will serve as executive producers on the show. Electus International retains all international distribution rights.

“The Fashion Star format is one-of-a-kind in reality fashion entertainment and an exciting addition to DIVA Universal’s strong line-up of new shows this year,” said Universal Networks International’s vp channels, South East Asia David Gunson, “Fashion Star will greatly appeal to DIVA Universal’s female audience with its fresh format and high entertainment values.”

Email: Lacey.Rose@THR.com; Twitter: @LaceyVRose