Open call this Friday for NBC's Fashion Star

Supermodel Elle Macpherson will host Fashion Star/Image: Getty North America

Calling all aspiring designers in the San Francisco Bay Area! This Friday May 20th casting executives from the upcoming NBC reality competition show Fashion Star will be in San Francisco for an open call. According to the official press release for the event, producers are looking for "inspired designers of all levels - amateur, semi-professional, do-it-yourselfers, emerging designers, established retailers, folks who make their own clothes, sell online, work within the fashion industry or outside of it."

Similar to previous fashion-reality shows such as Project Runway, and The Fashion Show, Fashion Star will follow 12 unknowns as they design and sew their way through the competition. This time, however, the show will feature a unique and highly commercial twist; viewers will be able to buy the winning designs online each week after the program airs.

The already-named host of Fashion Star, Elle Macpherson, told reporters at a press conference last month,

"Fashion star is completely different from anything on American television. We're not looking for someone to create a couture dress for the Oscars. We want someone who can design lingerie, swimwear, denim - accessible things that regular people wear."

SF is home to many reality fashion show contestants, like Jay Sario pictured left, but has never had a winner/Image: S. Whittle for Style Wylde

In addition to the instant consumer access angle, the show will include elements of NBC's The Voice in its judging process. According to Paul Telegdy, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming NBC and Universal Studios, in their official press release:

"Famous designers and buyers from America's largest retailers will serve as the judges, making on-the-spot decisions as they bid against each other, dipping into their own wallets to purchase the work of these up-and-coming designers." 

Do you have what it takes to be NBC's Fashion Star? Find out Friday at the open call casting session from 12-3pm at The Art Institute, located at 1170 Market Street in San Francisco. If you are not able to be there in person, applications for casting are also available online here.  For more information on the open call drop an e-mail to Bethany@kasstinginc.com