Photo by John Russo/NBC
Fashion Star is
one of those rare reality shows where competitors get an immediate and
significant response to their work. Not only are good designs showered with
flattery, but buyers from three major retail chains actually make financial
offers for the pieces they want to carry in their stores. And viewers can go
into Saks Fifth Avenue, H&M and Macy's to actually pick up winning designs
the day after an episode airs. So it's not surprising that Nikki Poulos, won of
the show's top contenders said in a recent interview that the show is a real
confidence booster.
Poulos described the array of emotions she's felt after having
a winning design on the show, saying, "There’s happiness, there’s relief
and there’s a real gratefulness that people have recognized what you’ve done
and they believe in you. And that’s so encouraging… Everything I’ve done on the
show that sold has sold out. So that to me really validates me as a
designer."
Just the fact that she feels comfortable referring to
herself as a designer is a big step for Poulos. Born in the Australian Outback,
the 43-year-old has mostly focused on swimwear, resort wear and dresses to
date.
She remarked, "I’d go to parties and people would say
to me, 'What do you do?' And I’d say, 'Oh I make clothing.' And they tell you,
'What do you make?' And I say, 'Oh, I manufacturer dresses.'”
Poulos continued, "But after having done the show… I
believe it. I’m a designer. That’s what I do. The show and the buyers’
confidence in me really made me feel like I can say I’m a designer now and not
just I make clothes."
That show of support from industry insiders has given Poulos
quite a boost. She conceded, "All the buyers have really made me recognize
that, without sound egoistical, I actually have a very nice gift for prints,
choosing prints and color and putting it together. And it’s always something
that I love to do. But hearing those buyers week after week after week has been
incredible for my self-confidence. It’s been amazing. It’s like, 'Wow, other
people get what I’m doing and they like it.' That’s amazing."
Watch Poulos as she continues to wow the mentors and buyers
alike on Fashion Star every Tuesday
night at 10 p.m. EST/9 p.m. Central on NBC.
No comments:
Post a Comment