'Project Runway' Winners: Where Are They Now? - The Hollywood Reporter The show's first-ever contestants that graced the show in season one exemplified to viewers that fashion could be presented in multiple different directions, textures, and mediums. Even Tim Gunn, whose "make it work" mantra became an iconic part of the franchise, left the show after the 16th season. After wowing audiences with a dress that went from white to multicolored under the runway's rain, New Zealander Sean Kelly won the whole competition on season 13. Emilio Sosa has focused mostly on Broadway since his time as a runner-up in both season 7 and All Stars season 2: He received two Tony Award nominations for Best Costume Design in a Musical for Porgy and Bess (2012) and in a Play for Trouble in Mind (2022). He currently designs for his collaborations with Revolve and Saks Fifth Avenue, and sells his design collections on his website. Henderson has designed a line of iPad covers for Maroo and made 3D printed shows for Feetz. Now: Dao has a boutique in Houston and went on to executive produce and judge the first season of Project Runway: Vietnam, which premiered in 2013. After her store, according to her LinkedIn page, Riley is now the owner of Peace Love & Ponies, a party entrainment company that sees ponies accompany costumed entertainers for events in Riley's home base of Texas. 'Project Runway' Winners List (Seasons 1 - 16) +15 More Christopher Rosen and Joyce Eng debate the big category switch by Kieran Culkin ("Succession"), who is now competing for Best Drama. 19 of 23. Immediately after winning Project Runway season 5, Leanne Marshall moved to New York City, where she continues to develop her line today. Soon, a new batch of unknown fashion designers will have to audition and convince Tim Gunn and the judges that they are a good fit for this high-paced reality show. RELATED: 10 Celebrities Fans Forgot Were Guest Judges On Project Runway. Making it to the finals, Wendy Pepper was part of the series' first round of finalists. Later that same year, he released a book titled "Fierce Style: How to Be Your Most Fabulous Self," with a foreword written by Tim Gunn. The show was like the eye of the storm. The show's new host, Karlie Kloss, kicked off season 17 and its return to Bravo, according to Variety. Project Runway is now moving back to the Bravon network, but not without a Project Runway All Stars season 7 show finale on the Lifetime channel. Project Runway: Where Are They Now? - People She continues to design and do other creative work, namely with her clothing line An-Erin. The designer recently came in seventh place on season seven of "Project Runway: All Stars.". He continues to lead his fashion brand, Michael Kors, as the chief creative officer. Sadly, March died in 2019 due to a heart attack. The clothing line that followed at the time is currently used as a conceptual setting for bespoke constructions and illustrations for movies, television shows, and advertising. Michael Kors entertained fans for 10 seasons of "Project Runway" with his brutally honest critiques of contestants' designs. We will be partnering with Amazon for a new show, and we're excited for everyone to see what we're designing next! He's known for using organic fabrics and plastic bottles in his fashion lines, and in 2017, he partnered with the brand Feetz to release a line of 3D-printed shoes. While some contestants continue to embrace their sartorial side and still work in the fashion industry, others have gone into other fields and areas of expertise. She also got married since her time on the show, with her gorgeous wedding featured on Style Me Pretty. After her "Project Runway" stint, Jones moved to Brooklyn where she ran her ready-to-wear women's line, Gretchen Jones NYC. Cadenas now works as a stylist and designer for their sustainable reFORM line and the unisex line, HN. In 2020, she partnered with MIT againto help judge innovative solutions for face masks and PPE through the institution's Pandemic Response CoLab. Plus, PR alum Christian Siriano mentored the contestants. After winning the second season of "Project Runway," Dao returned to her hometown of Houston, Texas, to continue growing her already established boutique, Chloe DAO. According to their website, they are now based in Helsinki, Finland, where their work focuses on sustainable practices in the fashion industry. In honor of the 15th anniversary and ahead of Season 18, flip through the gallery above to check in on what some of our favorite fashion designers from past seasons are up to now. Ricky is a lingerie designer who has worked with eminent brands such as Valentino, Oscar de la Renta, and Vera Wang. After debuting his "Lineage" collection at NYFW following his win in season 17, the Istituto Marangoni Miami alum maintained his namesake clothing line full of high-end, impeccably-crafted leather pieces. In 2012, he opened his first standalone flagship store on Elizabeth Street in New York City, and in 2013, he became a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). After impressing judges Nina Garcia, Brandon Maxwell, Elaine Welteroth, mentor Christian Siriano, and hostess/ supermodel Karlie Kloss with his impressive skills, Geoffrey was crowned the winner of 'Project Runway' Season 18 and got to take home the coveted $250,000 prize money. Klum and Gunn are now working on a new show, "Making The Cut," which premieres on Amazon in 2020. Where Are They Now - 'Project Runway' Contestants - StyleBistro Her Instagram caption also announced her next journey with Tim Gunn: "I'm most excited that my journey with my dear friend and colleague, @timgunn, is far from over. Then, he returned to the "Project Runway" catwalk on season three of "All Stars." Other. Why Making the Cut Failed to Dethrone Project Runway Over the past 10 years, Jones has had the chance to work and partner with brands like REI, Converse, Little Sister Creative, and East Olivia. Lesniak returned to "Project Runway: All Stars" in 2019 for season seven and took home the big prize. Winner: Chelsea. His unique sense of style aided him in being listed among Time magazines 100 Most Influential People of 2018. Kloss is a supermodel who's also known for her organization, Kode With Klossy, which creates opportunities for young women to learn how to code. Copyright 2023 Meredith Corporation. By Project Runway: Junior's two-part season 2 finale, just five contestants remained in the contest: Tieler, Izzy, Hawwaa, Chris and Chelsea. After winning the ninth season of "Project Runway," Ayoung-Chee created a resort-wear clothing line. He has served as a judge on "Project Runway Junior," and he took over Tim Gunn's role as mentor starting on season 17 of "Project Runway.". Start Watching the Project Runway Season 19 Premiere Now! The show's first-ever contestants that graced the show in season one exemplified to . Ayoung-Chee is still designing new collections under her label. Jeffrey Sebelia seemed to play the villain throughout the season, making the fact that he won unpalatable to many fans. Henderson also competed on season seven of "Project Runway: All Stars" in 2019, but he went home early on and came in 13th place. The costume designer also starred in another fashion-related reality Tv show, Mad Fashion in 2011. Then: Shes a Native Portlandian and thrift store junkie and surprised everyone on the series with her skill despite her lack of formal fashion training. Since Runway he's worked closely with the music industry, designing furniture and interior constructions in music videos for Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, and more. Where The Winners Of Project Runway Are Today - TheList.com Cadenas has an interest in the interchangeable. Life after Runway continues to be fierce for the 22-year-old: He's designing a runway show that will be featured in the upcoming movie Eloise in Paris and, in September, he'll debut his. ", Nick Ruedel/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images, Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images, came at a pivotal moment in my career. But there's no denying his designs impressed the judges. Professionally, he's debuted yearly collections on his website where he begins "from multiple, simultaneous perspectives providing a novel sensory experience" and works as a Fashion Studies professor at Columbia College Chicago. 'Project Runway' Designers: Where Are They Now? | Page Six Nick Ruedel/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images, Mike Ruiz/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images, Mitch Haaseth/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images, John Lamparski/Getty Images for Indonesian Diversity, Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images for Irina Shabyeva, Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images, Amy Graves/Getty Images for Art Hearts Fashion, Barbara Nitke/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images, Yuchen Liao/Getty Images for NYFW: The Shows, Joe Pugliese/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images, Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images, Greg Endries/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images, WHERE ARE THEY NOW: All of the original 'American Idol' winners, 16 things you didn't know about 'RuPaul's Drag Race', What 10 of your favorite Food Network stars are up to now, Here's what every winner of 'The Voice' is up to now. ", He also hinted at future endeavors, saying: "'Runway' has led to incredible opportunities and I am currently at work on some new projects that I am very excited to share with you soon. With her banana-print looks and silver coats, Erin Robertson took home the winning title on season 15 of "Project Runway.". Past winners, like Christian Siriano and Leanne Marshall, went on to create successful brands. Christian Siriano was just 22 when he won season four of "Project Runway." Rami, who is well-known for his spectacular red carpet designs, has dressed the likes of Penelope Cruz, Dita Von Teese, Heidi Klum, Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, and Kim Kardashian in addition to many more well-known figures. While most of the show's original star judges have left, the current group of judges and hosts prove the show must go on. Shes a philanthropist who has used her designs for charitable donations (such as a limited edition silk scarf for the Zeta Tau Alpha sororitys Think Pink Foundation) and commissioned a gown for the Salvation Army Houston Area Commands silent auction in 2016. The contestants compete with each other to create the best clothes and are restricted by time, materials and theme. Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Project Runway She is happily married to Sage Vaughn since 2006. Sholokhov has stayed in New York and continues to design his elegant gowns for women. A main component of Cadenas's work is the defiance of gender norms. Designer of Threads Of Continuity Fashion and Culture Exhibit. After this, he created a collection for Los Angeles Fashion Week in 2005 and a collection for New York Fashion Week in 2007. Dao is an active philanthropist, who's partnered with organizations like the Susan G. Komen Foundation and the Salvation Army of Houston. 'Project Runway' cast: Where are they now? | EW.com On "Project Runway," fashion designers compete against each other for a grand prize. 'Project Runway' Winners: Where Are They Now? - Us Weekly She gained success from the show and launched a curve clothing line for JCPenney. Victorya Hong is currently a talented designer at Na Be. After her success on "Project Runway," she went on to win season five of "Project Runway: All Stars.". Then: Her prints were stunning on the series and she won both Season 12 of Project Runway and season five of Project Runway: All Stars. She enrolled in the Associates program at Parsons to earn her degree in fashion. Winning season nine of "Project Runway" was just the beginning for this former beauty queen. Christian Siriano on How to Be an Ally to the Black . Korto Momolu Though she came in second to Leanne Marshall, Momolu pulled down fan favorite for the fifth season of the show thanks to her down-to-earth personality.According to an interview she . The 50 greatest TV and movie detectives of all time. Michael Kors called his winning collection "exhilarating and powerful, but still filled with clothes people could wear." The winner will get $1 million for their company. After working with different brands, Victorya decided to start her own collection, Na Be. Hes known for his tailoring. Project Runway. Since season 6, Gordana Gehlhausen has been living and working in L.A. under her fashion label, GOGA by Gordana. Brilliant designer Ricky Lizalde created unique looks for diva wrestlers of the WWE on the show. This whimsical designer is the woman behind the costumes of the Sophia Carson-led Descendants franchise. In November 2010, she launched a line on the Home Shopping Network featuring knitwear and outerwear, with a few coats thrown in. Since walking away with the title of season five winner, Leanne has been busy. Since the hit reality show "Project Runway" first aired in 2004, we've watched season after season of would-be designers sewing, cutting, and crying. She focuses on red carpet couture gowns and private clients, and has had her designs worn by Ashlee Simpson, Patricia Arquette, Nina Dobrev, and more. And in 2014, she released an exclusive selection of bridal dresses for BHLDN. Instead, she's shifted to posting regular episodes of her YouTube series the "Love 'YOU' Show.". Pankoke is currently freelance writing and editing for Wedding Chicks and Style Me Pretty. She has worked in different films as the costume designer including Hollywood, G.B.F. and Stargate Origins. She is also the producer of the 2014 short film, The Romantics.. Since then, Vogue Italia and Sports Illustrated have featured his designs and Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Angela Basset, and even Beyonc have worn his creations. My right hand and arm are paralyzed.". In 2011, she launched a bridal collection exclusive to Kleinfeld, the famous New York bridal store featured on TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress." Designers compete in weekly challenges, presenting their work on the runway. "We're not making any clothing. After his wins, Sholokhov dedicated himself to his own line, which works mostly on private commissions. She even designed her own wedding gown as well as her maid of honor's dress for her own elopement in 2018. "Project Runway" fans will always have memories of their favorite judges from the earlier seasons of the show. This British expat finished in ninth place, but continued her career in fashion. Meanwhile, how have the previously crowned designers fared since their "Project Runway" moment of fame, and what are they working on now? Though Chee took on this task, she continues to design her line as well. And spreading the Runway love around the world, she served as a co-executive producer for Project Runway Vietnam during its first season. Many famous faces have worn Vidal's glamorous designs, such as the talented Naomi Watts, Zoe Saldana, Faith Hill, Coco Rocha, Joan Smalls, Judith Light, Zooey Deschanel, and Cobie Smulders, just to name a few. Jones may be the most controversial winner of Project Runway ever. Now: He has designed a number of kids clothing lines and in 2013 appeared on Project Runway: All Stars. After nearly being cut from the show early on, Michelle Lesniak was named the champion of season 11. Amanda Valentine originally appeared on season 11, but was brought back by fans for season 13's Runway Redemption.