NBC's 'Fashion Star' to return for second season in March

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., Dec. 16 (UPI) -- NBC says it has set a March 8 debut date for Season 2 of its U.S. reality competition series "Fashion Star."

Thirteen designers from around the country, including a team of two competing together, will vie for the multimillion-dollar opportunity of creating a clothing line for Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Express this season.

Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos are to return to the show as mentors, while Louise Roe will serve as host.

"We are incredibly impressed with the contestants in this season's 'Fashion Star' as well as the vision and creativity they have expressed with their collections," Paul Telegdy, president of alternative and late night programming for NBC Entertainment, said in a statement. "These designers are already on their way to great success in their careers and we look forward to introducing the audience to each of them and their designs. In addition, the retailers have really stepped up their game this time around and the audience will be amazed at the bids being made on a weekly basis."