Project Runway
Project Runway is an American reality television series that premiered on December 1, 2004, on Bravo. Created by Eli Holzman, the show focuses on fashion design and features contestants who compete against each other to create the best clothes within specific constraints of time, materials, and themes.
Each week, the contestants’ designs are evaluated by a panel of judges, and one or more designers are typically eliminated from the show. This elimination process continues throughout the season until only a few finalists remain.
The remaining contestants then prepare complete fashion collections, which are showcased at New York Fashion Week. The judges, using their expertise and discerning eyes, carefully evaluate the runway shows and ultimately choose the winner of Project Runway.
Over the years, the show has undergone changes in its hosting and broadcasting arrangements. Heidi Klum served as the host from 2004 to 2017, after which the show moved to Lifetime for eleven seasons. However, in 2018, it returned to its original network, Bravo.
Additionally, Klum and mentor Tim Gunn departed the show in 2018 to lead another fashion competition called Making the Cut. They were replaced by Karlie Kloss as the new host and Christian Siriano as the mentor.
Project Runway has garnered significant recognition, including a Peabody Award in 2008 for its ability to engage, inform, enlighten, and entertain viewers. It has also inspired numerous international adaptations, further solidifying its global impact and influence in the fashion industry.
Project Runway Winners Where Are They Now?
Season |
Winner |
Runner-up |
|
1 |
Jay McCarroll |
Kara Saun |
|
2 |
Chloe Dao |
Daniel Vosovic |
|
3 |
Jeffrey Sebelia |
Uli Herzner |
|
4 |
Christian Siriano |
Rami Kashou |
|
5 |
Leanne Marshall |
Korto Momolu |
|
6 |
Irina Shabayeva |
Althea Harper |
|
7 |
Seth Aaron Henderson |
Emilio Sosa |
|
8 |
Gretchen Jones |
Mondo Guerra |
|
9 |
Anya Ayoung-Chee |
Joshua McKinley |
|
10 |
Dmitry Sholokhov |
Fabio Costa |
|
11 |
Michelle Lesniak Franklin |
Patricia Michaels |
|
12 |
Dom Streater |
Alexandria von Bromssen |
|
13 |
Sean Kelly |
Amanda Valentine |
|
14 |
Ashley Nell Tipton |
Kelly Dempsey |
|
15 |
Erin Robertson |
Roberi Parra |
|
16 |
Kentaro Kameyama |
Ayana Ife |
|
17 |
Sebastian Grey |
Hester Sunshine |
|
18 |
Geoffrey Mac |
Nancy Volpe-Beringer, Sergio Guadarrama, Victoria Cocieru |
|
19 |
Shantall Lacayo |
Chasity Sereal, Coral Castillo, Kristina Kharlashkina |
|
20: All Stars |
TBA |
TBA |
TRENDING
Where are the Winners of Project Runway Now?
Jay McCarroll (Season 1)
After winning the inaugural season, Jay McCarroll continued working as a fashion designer and showcased a collection at New York Fashion Week in 2006. He later appeared on the VH1 reality show Celebrity Fit Club and ventured into the film and TV industry, contributing to costume departments. His recent work includes shows like “Mare of Easttown” and “Orange Is the New Black.”
Chloe Dao (Season 2)
Chloe Dao returned to her hometown of Houston after winning Season 2 and established her boutique called Dao Chloe Dao. She sells clothing of her own design and became a judge and executive producer on “Project Runway Vietnam.” During the COVID-19 pandemic, she pivoted to mask-making and donated thousands of masks to hospitals and medical professionals.
Jeffrey Sebelia (Season 3)
Jeffrey Sebelia, known as the show’s first “villain,” continued his career as a fashion designer after winning Season 3. He designed for his own label, Cosa Nostra, which closed in 2009. He then worked with brands like Fluxus and launched a children’s line called La Miniatura. In 2013, he returned for Season 3 of “Project Runway All Stars,” finishing in seventh place.
Christian Siriano (Season 4)
Christian Siriano is arguably the most successful winner in “Project Runway” history. After his Season 4 victory, he founded his namesake fashion label and collaborated with renowned brands such as Payless, Victoria’s Secret, and Puma. He became a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and gained recognition for his dramatic red-carpet designs worn by celebrities like Billy Porter, Michelle Obama, and Whoopi Goldberg. Siriano also served as a mentor on “Project Runway” since Season 17.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtztUk-NPAr/
Leanne Marshall (Season 5)
Following her win in Season 5, Leanne Marshall established herself as a successful wedding dress designer. She dressed celebrities such as Solange, Ariana Madix, and Julianne Hough. In recent years, Marshall shifted her focus to more casual ready-to-wear dresses while still offering evening gowns in dramatic silhouettes.
Irina Shabayeva (Season 6)
Irina Shabayeva continued her career as a fashion designer, specializing in couture bridal gowns and evening wear. She returned to the “Project Runway” franchise for Season 3 of “All Stars” and came in third place. Shabayeva has dressed notable figures like Sarah Michelle Gellar and Maye Musk.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrtcJhsOhMD/
Seth Aaron Henderson (Season 7)
Seth Aaron Henderson is the first “Project Runway” winner to win the competition twice. After his Season 7 victory, he returned for Season 3 of “All Stars” and won again. Henderson has been actively working as a designer, selling clothes under his own label, Seth Aaron. He also worked for the brand Fin Fun, known for producing swimmable mermaid tails.
Gretchen Jones (Season 8)
Gretchen Jones’s win in Season 8 was considered controversial by some viewers. After her victory, she worked as a designer for a few years before transitioning into consulting. She collaborated with brands like Converse, REI, and Pendleton. In 2018, Jones founded her own firm called Weird Specialty, offering holistic business coaching.
Anya Ayoung-Chee (Season 9)
After winning Season 9, Anya Ayoung-Chee established her own line called Pilar, named after her late brother. While Pilar is no longer active, she designs clothing under her own name, which she sells through her website. Ayoung-Chee also runs a brand called Wyld Flwr, which sells designer NFTs and Metaverse wearables. She appeared as a mentor in Tim Gunn’s series “Under the Gunn” and competed in Season 7 of “All Stars.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhCdg7blf5a/
Dmitry Sholokhov (Season 10)
Dmitry Sholokhov became the second double winner in “Project Runway” history, winning Season 10 and then Season 4 of “All Stars.” He continues to work on his namesake label, Dmitry Sholokhov, specializing in affordable high fashion.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct1sImkOK-h/
Michelle Lesniak Franklin (Season 11)
After winning Season 11, Michelle Lesniak Franklin returned to her hometown of Portland, Oregon, where she pursued her career in fashion design. She won Season 7 of “All Stars” in 2019 and has showcased her designs on the runway.
Dom Streater (Season 12)
Dom Streater, the Season 12 winner, presented a collection at New York Fashion Week following her victory. She worked as a designer for Urban Outfitters and later founded her own line of ready-to-wear dresses, T-shirts, and accessories. Streater also won Season 5 of “All-Stars.”
Sean Kelly (Season 13)
Sean Kelly, the Season 13 winner, founded a men’s swimwear brand called Hercules. He also works as the design director for Retrofête, a boutique specializing in sequined party dresses and bedazzled accessories.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ClXVI18pG7u/
Ashley Nell Tipton (Season 14)
After her win, Ashley Nell Tipton became a designer for JCPenney’s plus-size boutique. She also established her own namesake line and is currently a professor of fashion design at Palomar College. Tipton shares styling tips and vlogs about her life on YouTube.
https://www.instagram.com/p/ChIZtz4MpNZ/
Erin Robertson (Season 15)
Erin Robertson, the Season 15 winner, won CFDA’s Teen Vogue scholarship after her victory. She collaborated with MIT on pandemic response initiatives, focusing on reimagining face coverings and PPE. Robertson continues to design and sell clothes through her label, An-Erin.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CsmmiEAPcRj/
Kentaro Kameyama (Season 16)
Kentaro Kameyama, the Season 16 winner, is a composer and classical pianist in addition to being a fashion designer. He became the chair of the fashion department at the Idyllwild Arts Academy in California. Kameyama operates his namesake label, showcasing collections at New York and Paris Fashion Week.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTcOBKznP_k/?img_index=1
Jhoan “Sebastian” Grey (Season 17)
Jhoan “Sebastian” Grey, the Season 17 winner, focuses on sustainable and ethical fashion practices, using recycled and upcycled materials in his designs. In 2023, he showcased his designs at the Young at Art Museum’s Recycled Fashion Show in Florida.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CuJbEjquPsC/
Geoffrey Mac (Season 18)
Geoffrey Mac, already an established designer before his “Project Runway” win, continues to design for his eponymous line. His unisex clothing and chunky, punk-inspired jewelry have gained attention in the fashion industry.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CiS3Mf7s3Jt/
Shantall Lacayo (Season 19)
Shantall Lacayo, the most recent winner of “Project Runway,” designs for her namesake line, Shantall. Her designs are available online and at the Anima boutique in Panama City, Panama.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CuVL2Eru8ua/
These “Project Runway” winners have each carved out their own unique paths in the fashion industry, showcasing their talents and continuing to make their mark even after their victories on the show. Their success stories demonstrate the long-lasting impact and influence of “Project Runway” in shaping the careers of aspiring fashion designers.
Project Runway Format
The format of Project Runway revolves around a competitive structure that pushes fashion designers to their creative limits. The show begins with a group of 12 or more designers who participate in a series of challenges.
These challenges, assigned by the show’s producers, test the designers’ skills, innovation, and ability to adapt to different themes and constraints. From designing garments using non-traditional materials to creating outfits for specific clients or fashion lines, the challenges cover a wide range of scenarios.
Each challenge requires the designers to create new pieces of clothing within a limited timeframe, often resulting in intense pressure and time management challenges. After completing their designs, the contestants present their work at runway shows, where their garments are evaluated by a panel of expert judges.
The judging panel, which usually includes fashion industry professionals and celebrities, scores each look based on various criteria, such as creativity, craftsmanship, and adherence to the challenge requirements.
The highest-scoring and lowest-scoring designers face scrutiny from the judges and have the opportunity to defend their creations. Ultimately, the judges determine the winner of the challenge, who may receive rewards like immunity from elimination or opportunities for media exposure and collaborations with established brands.
Throughout the competition, designers are progressively eliminated based on their performance in the challenges. This elimination process continues until only a few designers remain, and they proceed to the final stage of the competition.
The remaining designers are then tasked with creating a complete fashion collection, usually consisting of twelve looks, to be presented at New York Fashion Week. This final showcase serves as the culmination of their journey on Project Runway, and the judges carefully assess the collections to determine the ultimate winner of the season.
The winner receives a significant prize package, which often includes financial support, media features, and mentorship opportunities to kickstart their career in the fashion industry.
Project Runway’s format not only provides a platform for aspiring fashion designers to showcase their talent but also challenges them to think creatively, adapt to different situations, and handle the pressures of the industry.
By combining the competitive element with real-world design scenarios, the show offers a realistic glimpse into the fashion world and provides valuable exposure and opportunities for contestants. Through its innovative format and high-stakes challenges, Project Runway has become a beloved and influential series that continues to inspire and shape the fashion industry.
Disclaimer: The above information is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the Site.