Looking back, however, she sees the opportunity as a “once in a lifetime experience.”

“I really tried to enjoy the moment, live in the moment knowing (the) experience was so unique,” she said. “It wasn’t something that I thought I would check off of my career list.”

A West Bloomfield Township native, Tori-Nichel first became interested in fashion as a little girl. She said she owes her mom’s family, her grandmother and Barbie dolls for peaking her interest in fashion.

“I was around a lot of fashionable people as a little kid,” she said. “My mom has a huge family and a lot of sisters, and they were just always shopping, always into fashion, always into the latest things.”

Professor Sally Helvenston-Gray, who was one of Nichel’s professors at MSU, said Tori-Nichel always had an enthusiasm for design.

“She was always very interested in design, interested in moving things forward and not just doing the basic requirements,” Helvenston-Gray said. “She had a special aptitude for design and understanding how clothes go together.”

Tori-Nichel spent her junior year at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, an experience she regards as positive.

“What it allowed me to do essentially is get the university experience that my dad wanted me to have and allow me to have the art school experience that I really wanted to have,” Nichel said. “Looking back on it, I love that I got the best of both worlds in my education.”

Tori-Nichel launched her self-titled collection, Tori Nichel, in 2006 that later reached eBay in 2009. She said being on “Fashion Star” has helped re-energize her following.

“It’s definitely been new momentum re-connecting with old customers, getting new supporters,” she said. “I’m in a different space now in 2013 than I was back in 2006. Having former colleagues and co-workers really excited, coming out and supporting me and doing what they can, has definitely been a really fun adventure.”

Advertising sophomore Jacqlyn Burnett, who does local modeling, said she would consider checking out the work of an MSU alumna, and plans to check out the show, which premiers March 8.

“I keep up with (fashion) trends online,” she said. “I would see what they have.”

Beyond the support Tori-Nichel has gained from “Fashion Star,” she said meeting new people on the show was a great experience.

“I’ve met some amazing designers that are my castmates,” she said. “It’s going to be fun to now continue to follow their careers and see their continued growth around the industry as well.”