Fashion Star mentor John Varvatos has described the show's host Elle Macpherson as "one of the most beautiful women" in the world.
The designer will work alongside Macpherson and fellow mentors Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie on the NBC design competition, which premieres Tuesday, March 13.
Discussing his fashion icons in an NBC video, he said: "My icons are more past icons like Steve McQueen, growing up with Robert Plant and Jimmy Paige, the rock icon, that kind of thing. Those were kind of my muses when I started out, then the fashion icons today who kind of create their own style for sure.
"To me it's not about being a follower, it's about being a leader. It's less about people in general than kind of the past and how I can bring that to the future, and in beauty, there are so many great, beautiful women out there."
He added: "We have one of the most beautiful women in the world on this show, Elle. We were sitting on stage filming the first show and I leaned over to Nicole and said, 'That's why they call her a supermodel'.
"She is so articulate and smart and gorgeous. When you talk about beauty, that is enduring beauty, that's amazing."
Fashion Star's format will see Varvatos, Simpson and Richie offering guidance to the designer contestants as they battle to win a multi-million prize that will allow them to launch their collection in one of America's top retailers.
