This season's contestants include: Los Angeles-based designer David Appel; Milan, Italy-based designer Silvia Arguello; New York City-based designer Hunter Bell; Austin-based designer Priscilla Barroso; Los Angeles-based designer Johana Hernandez; New York City-based designer Cassandra Hobbins; New York-based designer Tori Nichel; Austin (Texas)-based designer Amber Perley; Brooklyn-based designer Daniel Silverstein; Los Angeles-based designer Brandon Scott; Malibu-based designers Jesse Vasquez and Garrett Gerson; and Los Angeles-based designer Bret Young.

The announcement was made by Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment.

"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," said Telegdy. "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."

"This season of 'Fashion Star' will bring a whole new group of contestants together, building upon last season's excitement, success and ability to bring incredible fashion directly to the audience," said Ben Silverman, Chairman and founder of Electus. "We're thrilled to be able to produce a show that will result in consumers around the world wearing the designs of the next 'Fashion Star'."

When it returns to NBC in March, "Fashion Star" will resume its search for the next big brand in fashion. Each week, the show will feature exhilarating fashion shows built around a weekly challenge that is designed to further develop and expand the designers' brands.

Celebrity mentors Simpson, Richie and Varvatos will guide their teams through the weekly challenges - giving them a chance to win the multi-million dollar prize of launching their collections in three of America's largest retailers. During each episode, viewers will have the chance to immediately purchase the winning designs showcased on the episode that week. What viewers see on TV that night will be available online and in select stores immediately after the program.