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. We've also seen them struggle through "unconventional" challenges, initiate model walk-offs, bore Nina Garcia, and "make it work" no matter the fashion emergency. While Heidi Klum said auf wiedersehen to the show in 2017, along with Tim Gunn (they both went on to helm Amazon Video's competition series "Making the Cut"), the show's popularity remains strong. The series's 17th season premiered back on its original network, Bravo, with an all-new panel that featured season four winner Christian Siriano and supermodel Karlie Kloss. Since then, designer Brandon Maxwell and journalist Elaine Welteroth joined as judges in season 18, with Kloss stepping down from the official title in season 19.
At BravoCon 2022's "Project Runway of Their World" panel on Oct. 16, Siriano and Welteroth announced season 20 as an all-star theme, which will bring back some of the most talented designers from previous seasons to compete against each other for the title. And the two-part premiere of Bravo's "Project Runway All-Stars" season 20 aired on Thursday, June 15, with Maxwell, Siriano, Welteroth, and Garcia all returning as judges. The new season, which marks the show's 20th anniversary, includes 14 of the most beloved designers from past seasons, from Brittany Allen to Kara Saun.
As season 20 unfolds, you may be wondering how the previously crowned designers have fared since their "Project Runway" moment of fame, and what are they working on now? Ahead, we've rounded up every winner since season one and gathered information about their lives post-"Project Runway." Read through to brush up on anything you might have missed.
— Additional reporting by Sarah Wasilak and Robert Khederian
FAQs
In a post-season interview Tim Gunn expressed his disappointment with the designers of this season citing a deficiency of energy in them for the title. He stated that he 'hated' the entire season labeling the progress of the contestants as 'lackluster'.
How much do Project Runway contestants get paid? ›
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.
Who is the most successful contestant from Project Runway? ›
Project Runway has been a successful platform for many contestants to launch their careers in the fashion industry. Christian Siriano, the winner of season 4, is the most successful Project Runway alum, with a thriving career, including dressing celebrities like Lady Gaga and Michelle Obama.
Why does Tim Gunn talk like that? ›
“I had a very debilitating stutter, and that was very limiting for me socially and it of course was rife for teasing, and people would imitate me or they'd want to engage with me, would want me to speak, because they wanted to hear the stutter and laugh,” Gunn said.
Who was the most controversial Project Runway winner? ›
Gretchen Jones, Season 8
Gretchen Jones. Season 8 provided one of the most contentious finales of Project Runway, with the judges presenting an even split between competitors Gretchen Jones and Mondo Guerra. Ultimately, Jones won out, though to some fans, her win remains controversial.
What happens to the clothes made on Project Runway? ›
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."
How much was Heidi Klum paid for Project Runway? ›
Here's What She Made for Project Runway
According to Forbes, Heidi earned "maybe $1.3 million a year as host and $350,000 as executive producer." Got it, got it, got it.
Who is the most famous model on Project Runway? ›
Christian Siriano Is The Most Successful Project Runway Alum
The most successful Project Runway contestant is Christian Siriano, named Project Runway season 4 winner at 21.
How many weeks does it take to film Project Runway? ›
Most of the show is shot over a few weeks. It's about three days per challenge, six or seven days a week. This is when the crew is largest. The part with the finalists is shot over Fashion Week, weeks later.
Has anyone been disqualified from Project Runway? ›
Yes, there have been instances where contestants have been disqualified from Project Runway. Here are the details: Keith Michael - Season 3: Keith Michael was disqualified from Project Runway in Season 3 for breaking the rules.
"Due to the back-to-back film schedule for Season 10 and Season 11 this summer, Michael was not able to commit to all the dates required for filming Season 11," Lifetime explained in 2012.
What happened to the first winner of Project Runway? ›
After leaving New York, McCarroll now teaches at Philadelphia University and has a fashion line on QVC. McCarroll is a designer for Field of View winter guard in West Chester, Pennsylvania. McCarroll has appeared numerous times on the PBS TV show Quilting Arts.
What does Tim Gunn always say? ›
Gunn's catchphrase, "Make it work," has become iconic, synonymous with his unwavering commitment to excellence and his ability to solve any fashion-related problem. Apart from his television career, Tim Gunn has also made significant contributions to the literary world.
Does Tim Gunn still teach? ›
And while he no longer teaches at Parsons, Gunn is still educating young designers on Project Runway. "As someone who spent his childhood and teen years absolutely hating, hating, hating, hating school, to think that I would become a career teacher — that opportunity was a big, big break," he says.
Does Tim Gunn live in NYC? ›
Personal life
Gunn lives in Manhattan. In a 2010 interview with People magazine, he said, "For a long time, I didn't know what I was.
What happened to Kelly from Project Runway season 14? ›
Inspired by her experiences and realizing the negative impacts of fast fashion, Kelly has launched this online learning center to empower others. Her beginner-friendly sewing and upcycling courses offer a hands-on and creative approach for individuals to take fashion into their own hands.
What happened to Ashley on season 14 of Project Runway? ›
Two years ago, fashion designer Ashley Nell Tipton made television history when she became the first contestant on Lifetime's "Project Runway" to show a plus-sized collection. The San Diego native, who won Season 14, went on to launch a jewelry line, partner with J.C.
When did Tim Gunn leave Parsons? ›
Gunn left Parsons in 2007 and joined Liz Claiborne, Inc. as the company's chief creative officer in March of that year. In April 2007, Abrams Image Publishers released Gunn's book A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style, co-written with Kate Moloney, cover photo by Markus Klinko & Indrani.
What happened to Candice Project Runway? ›
Following that, she participated in the sixth season of Project Runway All Stars, placing 12th with her Season 14 colleagues Labissiere, Newton and Dempsey. In August 2016, she relocated to Los Angeles, where she launched her eponymous label, CANDICE CUOCO, and opened her first brick-and-mortar storefront/showroom.
