Express Joins NBC's Search For The Next "Fashion Star"

Express, Inc. (EXPR), the specialty retail apparel chain, has joined NBC's ground-breaking fashion reality competition "Fashion Star" as a buyer for the program's second season. Hosted by international fashion icon Louise Roe, "Fashion Star" premieres on Friday, March 8, 2013, at 8PM ET featuring celebrity mentors Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos.

The program aims to discover the next big name in fashion with contestants competing in a weekly challenge designed to further develop and expand their brands. Express joins the series as a buyer with fellow retailers Macy's and Saks Fifth Avenue continuing from the first season.

Buying for Express is Erika De Salvatore, Director of Visual Merchandising for the dual-gender brand. Known for her critical eye and passion for understanding the importance of customer experience, she ensures consistent execution of visual presentation and merchandising.

"We came to Fashion Star with a different lens than the other brands," said De Salvatore. "As a retailer with a singular edit point rather than a department store serving a more varied customer base, we had to be extremely targeted in what we decided to purchase in order to meet the specific needs of the Express customer."

During each episode, product selected by De Salvatore can be purchased immediately at express.com/fs, giving fans of the brand immediate access to the exclusive collection. Following the season finale on Friday, May 10, a select number of stores will carry the line bought by Express, licensed through NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products.

"Everyone who came into the competition was a legitimate designer; no one was thrown in for ratings or TV drama," said De Salvatore. "This was a real design competition and I can't wait for our customers to see what we bought for them!"