Fashion Star casting season two in Chicago

Attention Chicago clothing designers: See that lady in the tie pictured above? That's Kara Laricks, winner of last season's Fashion Star. And you can be her. The NBC series (think Project Runway) is coming back for a second season, and announced today that it's holding a casting call in Chicago next month. The casting agent tells me they're looking for both up-and-coming and established designers—just not too established. You can have clothes in boutiques, but you just can't have any of your items sold in national retail chains. That'll happen if you're cast on the show. (H&M and Macy's are among the retailers who carry winning looks from each episode.) Here are the deets: July 22, noon–5pm at Macy's (111 N State St) and you need to bring 2–10 pieces of original ready-to-wear designs and your portfolio. Find more information here. By the way, the reality/competition show has a history with Chicago designers: Barbara Bates made it through a few episodes and even had one of her winning designs sold at Macy's.