Project Runway Finale Recap: Did the Right Designer Win Season 19? (2024)
Four strong, diverse designers remained atop Thursday’s Project Runway finale, and all that stood between them and victory was a little thing called New York Fashion Week.
The two-hour season ender began with Christian Siriano visiting each of the remaining contestants — Chasity Sereal, Coral Castillo, Kristina Kharlashkina and Shantall Lacayo — for a sneak peek at their final collections, as well as to dispense his last pearls of wisdom.
He warned Lacayo against experimenting with 1980s Easter colors during his trip to Miami; he encouraged Sereal through her designer’s block in Houston; he received a metaphorical tour of Mexico City from Castillo in Los Angeles, as well as a literal tour of her personal at-home jungle; and he learned a lesson on what is and is not a poppy from Kharlashkina in Queens. Overall, it was a very eventful tour.
But the biggest event, of course, was still to come. A three-month time jump brought all four women back together in New York City for the most important fashion show of their lives. (No pressure, though!) And although Elaine Welteroth couldn’t join Nina Garcia and Brandon Maxwell on the judges’ panel, Runway found a fairly qualified replacement in none other than Tommy Hilfiger.
Kharlashkina kicked off the show with “Lead Me to Life,” a collection inspired by her personal journey of overcoming insecurities and learning to believe in herself, whose flowery motif was meant to convey that “tears can blossom into something really beautiful.” Up next, Lacayo presented “Herencia” (“Heritage”), a “wearable but unique” collection that drew inspiration from the feathered serpent deity Quetzalcoatl.
Sereal also looked to her past for “Rebellious Reflection,” a collection which told the story of a “black sheep that blossomed.” And Castillo closed out the show with “Genesis,” a parade of strong, vibrant colors inspired by the unique hand embroidery employed in Mexican garments.
Four strong showings, no doubt, but only one of these wildly different designers would be declared the winner.
“We believe the winner has everything it takes to be a household name, and has a brand that can carry on for years to come,” Garcia told the four women after the judges’ deliberations. And that designer is… Shantall Lacayo!
“I’ve dreamed about this moment for so long,” Lacayo said through tears. “It’s not just about me winning this competition. It’s about my family winning this competition. I can’t believe it. So many doors that have closed, you know?” She recalled hearing critiques about being “too colorful, too Latin, too loud,” and how all she was looking for was “recognition as an artist.” She finally feels seen.
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Aside from Christian, Chloe Dao, Leanne Marshall, and Irina Shabayeva have all found success since appearing on Project Runway. With almost 30 years of experience in the fashion industry and a thriving boutique in Houston, Texas, it's no surprise that Chloe was named the winner of Project Runway season 2.
The winner of the season was Shantall Lacayo from Miami, Florida. Lacayo marked the first time a contestant from an international spin-off participated and won in the original U.S. franchise, having previously competed and finished in third on the first season of Project Runway Latin America.
As if winning a reality show and launching a fashion line weren't enough, the Miami resident is branching out with her new jewelry line. Shantall Lacayo: “I think the jewelry really melds with the fashion of the brand.”
Unfortunately, I was quarantining during the taping. Trust me, omicron is the ONLY thing that could've kept me from that runway! I had every intention on being there BUT health comes first…
A notable moment was during season 14 of Project Runway, when plus-size designer Ashley Nell Tipton won the competition and made history as the first designer to send a plus-size collection down the runway.
Runway doesn't pay the contestants, and many must quit their jobs to be on the show. The winner may get a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine, a new car, $50,000 in design software, and $100,000 in seed money to start a new clothing line, but not a cent for groceries.
Project Runway” contestant Meg Ferguson has pulled. out of the show after an explosive race-related. confrontation with fellow designers. Her exit comes after Prajjé Oscar Jean-Baptiste conf...
The 22-year-old designer from Santa Fe, New Mexico bowed out shortly after the challenge, designing a red carpet gown for host Heidi Klum, was announced. At the time, Luz had said she didn't feel she was ready for Bryant Park. Her exit allowed previously eliminated contestant Anthony L. Williams to return.
The winner was Bishme Cromartie, who returned after initially competing on Season 17, and received a cash prize of $250,000, a mentorship with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and a spread in Elle magazine.
Sereal also owns her own eponymous fashion line and has shown her collections at New York Fashion Week in 2015 and 2017. As of 2023, she has taken on another role in the arts world, starring in the BET+ film The Reading alongside Oscar winner Mo'Nique. The film is directed by Courtney Glaude, another Houston notable.
They cited budgetary restrictions and the show's unchanging format as primary reasons why they chose to pursue another series. "When you do a show, someone always has to pay for it, and other people want you to do certain things, so you can't have the creative freedom," Klum said.
Why She's Missing: In the world of the show, Elaine is absent because our other three main characters are off in California while she remains in New York. In real life, Elaine isn't there because Julia Louis-Dreyfus was on maternity leave.
The New York native stepped away from the series due to the demands of his fashion empire. In a statement from Lifetime, which aired the show from 2009 to 2017, the network confirmed that Michael was simply too busy in his role as chief creative officer for his brand to serve as a full-time judge.
Some of the clothes designed on the series end up being sold on the Project Runway website. Season-seven winner Seth Aaron Henderson said at a Fashion Week El Paso press conference in 201 that clothes produced by contestants "go up for auction immediately after the show."
Project Runway uses progressive elimination to reduce the initial field of 12 or more fashion designers down to three or four before the final challenge. Each non-finale challenge (the scope of one episode) requires the designers to develop one or more pieces of new clothing to be presented at a runway show.
Dmitry Sholokhov now holds the title of both Project Runway winner and Project Runway All Stars winner. His business today focuses on private commissions and pursuit's of partnerships with major retailers. He also recently unveiled his new affordable high-fashion brand to the world.
Introduction: My name is Kareem Mueller DO, I am a vivacious, super, thoughtful, excited, handsome, beautiful, combative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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