Debuting over MyNetwork TV on September 5, 2006, Fashion House (working title: Secret Obsessions) was one of two nightly hour-long continuing dramas seen over the fledgling network during its first season on the air; both this series and its companion show Desire were inspired by the Spanish-language telenova genre, and both were filmed in San Diego. Fashion House unfolded the tale of two rival fashion designers: Maria Gianni (Bo Derek), beautiful but ruthless owner of Fashion House, and her hated rival, the wealthy Sophia Blakely (Morgan Fairchild), whose mission in life was to put Maria out of business via a hostile takeover. The sinister machinations of these two ladies were seen through the eyes of Michelle Miller (Natalie Martinez), a housewife who aspired to be a top designer, and who began pursuing that goal after discovering that her husband Lance (Mike Begovich) had cheated on her with his vixenish business assistant Gloria (Donna Feldman). For her part, Michelle entered into a torrid affair with Michelle's son Luke (Taylor Kinney), a would-be painter. Weaving and sometimes skulking through the proceedings were sinister dealmaker William Chandler (Joel Berti), who aligned himself with Sophia for the purpose of destroying Maria; and supermodel Nikki Clark (Nicole Pulliam), Michelle's best friend. Telecast on a Monday through Friday basis with a weekend recap, Fashion House was destined for a 13-week, 65-episode run, at which point MyNetwork would replace it with a new nightly soaper, Watch Over Me.
by Hal Erickson
synopsis
