See Where Your Favorite “Project Runway” Contestants Are Now

“Project Runway” season 19 marked a historic moment for the show, with a group of all-female finalists. Lacayo took first place on Feb. 3, 2022, with the Nicaragua native having already starred on the Latin American version of “Project Runway,” where she was one of the final two contestants. She is currently based in Miami, where she crafts colorful and quirky prints and patterns for her namesake label.

This New Zealand native was always the favorite among the judges and still is – spending the holidays at Tim Gunn‘s and hanging with Zac Posen. After his win, Sean used the spotlight to launch a luxury men’s swimwear line. Now, he has returned and is on this season’s “Project Runway: All Stars.”

Jay’s inventive designs and original point of view made him the season-one winner. After the show, he began teaching at Philadelphia University and started a fashion line on QVC. He continues to do both today. In 2010, Jay won season seven of VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club.” Today, he continues designing; recently, Jay designed an eco-friendly dress for an animal activist campaign, Gabby Wild, and has been named fashion ambassador of Hamilton Mall in Mays Landing, New Jersey.

Chloe’s career has skyrocketed since winning season two. Her designs were featured in the Smithsonian Museum’s “Exit Saigon, Enter Little Saigon” exhibit. In May 2007, she premiered a 13-piece collection on QVC called Simply Chloe Dao, which sold out during the televised broadcast. In March 2008, she debuted her wholesale line, Dao Chloe Dao, at the Dallas Market Center. Today, she continues to remain in the public eye, running her Houston-based store, Lot 8, as well as fashion lines Dao Chloe Dao, Dao Chloe Dao for Nuo, and Simply Chloe for QVC. She then returned to the show, this time as a judge on “Project Runway Vietnam.”

Mac’s season 18 win included a $250k grand prize, a feature in Elle magazine, and a mentorship with the CFDA. His street wear incorporates deconstructed denim, mesh, and intriguing cutouts, along with plenty of leather.

You may remember Kentaro for his minimalistic and futuristic designs that helped crown him the season winner. He now lives in California and teaches at the Fashion School of Los Angeles. Kentaro continues to design and on the side, he also composes music as a trained classical pianist.

Winning season nine of “Project Runway” was just the beginning for this former beauty queen. Having gained an even larger fan base after the show, Chee signed a one-year contract as a travel ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago. Though Chee took on this task, she continues to design her line as well.

In 2010, Jeffrey became the head designer for LA-based line Fluxus. In 2011, he launched his own kids line called La Miniatura. Then, he returned to the “Project Runway” catwalk on season three of “All Stars.” He’s maintained his signature rock-and-roll ‘stache along the way.

The youngest winner of “Project Runway,” Christian has enjoyed a lot of success thanks to the show. He remains a fixture on New York Fashion Week runways, designing a high-end, couture-inspired line, as well as a shoe collection for Payless. In April 2009, Christian partnered with Victoria’s Secret on a line of makeup called Christian Siriano For VS Makeup. 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. 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). He will return to “Project Runway”‘s 17th season, this time as a judge.

Though Gretchen’s win was controversial because she won over that season’s fan favorite, Mondo Guerra, she managed to do just fine, establishing a formidable fashion career. She now owns her own clothing line, MothLove, which she launched nationally in 2010. Gretchen’s brand has previously partnered with Save the Garment Center, a NYC-based organization supporting local and international craftspeople.

Ashley Nell Tipton brought a distinct eye to curve fashion to “Project Runway,” and she was ultimately crowned season 14’s winner. She gained success from the show and launched a curve clothing line for JCPenney. Apart from launching her own line, Ashley hosts sewing classes at her studio in San Diego.

The judges raved about Seth Aaron’s impeccable tailoring and craftsmanship. Michael Kors called his winning collection “exhilarating and powerful, but still filled with clothes people could wear.” Seth Aaron debuted his first full ready-to-wear collection for Fall 2011 at LA Fashion Week. In 2010, Henderson was voted My TV’s best male reality star, and in 2011, he launched a fashion collection of iPad cases with Maroo. He reappeared on “Project Runway All Stars” season three and won.

Since walking away with the title of season five winner, Leanne has been busy. She created an eco-friendly line for Bluefly.com that debuted in July 2009 and showed her Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, and Fall 2011 collections at NYFW. As of late, she creates one-of-a-kind, custom wedding gowns for clients in her Brooklyn studio. She sells her collection on her website and in boutiques throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Dmitry Sholokhov was the winner of season 10. His sophisticated and architectural designs won him the recognition from the fashion set. Following his win, Sholokhov created a collection of dresses that were exclusively sold at Lord & Taylor. Sholokhov has stayed in New York and continues to design his elegant gowns for women.

Dom’s graphic prints, which are based on her paintings, made her stand out among the rest of the designers in season 12 of “Project Runway.” Today, Dom continues to practice and refine her art while incorporating it into her clothing designs.

Irina debuted her Fall 2010, Spring 2011, and Fall 2011 collections at NYFW. In November 2010, she launched a line on the Home Shopping Network featuring knitwear and outerwear, with a few coats thrown in. She debuted a capsule collection for Macy’s and designed one-of-a-kind dresses for the Campbell’s soup brand. Then, in 2013, she returned to the show for season three of “Project Runway All Stars.”

Michelle Lesniak Franklin was the winner of “Project Runway” season 11. Following the competition, Franklin changed the name of her line from Michelle Is Well to Au Clothing. Her designs are currently sold in two boutiques in Portland and on her website.