The reality series “Fashion Star,” which debuts Tuesday night on NBC, features 14 fashion-designer hopefuls competing to launch their brands.
Among the contestants is former sailor Ronnie Escalante. According to his bio on the show’s website:
“Growing up in the Philippines, Ronnie Escalante spent most of his days on an agricultural province. At a young age, Escalante was surrounded by fashion, as his cousin worked as a ‘beader’ in a local fashion house. However, it was in grade school that his knack for fashion design flourished. Escalante would sketch clothing designs in the back of his school notebooks. At the age of 17, Escalante and his family moved to the U.S. and soon after, he joined the U.S. Navy where he served for four years.”
Promotional material for the show features a boot camp graduation photo of Escalante wearing his service dress blue uniform and dixie cup hat.
Following his service, Escalante went to fashion design school in San Francisco, followed by internships at big fashion houses.
The show, which airs at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT, features star power in the form of host Elle Macpherson and mentors Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie. Also serving as a mentor is menswear designer John Varvatos.
The prize? A $6 million contract for the winner’s creations to be sold at Macy’s, H&M and Saks Fifth Avenue.
Let us know what you think about the first episode in the comments area.
