‘Project Runway’ Winners: Where Are They Now?

Jay McCarroll, Season 1

The winner of Project Runway’s debut season, Jay McCarroll may be more known for what he did after the show wrapped. The eclectic and colorful designer actually turned down the show’s prizes — at the time $100,000 and a mentorship from Banana Republic — taking issue with a contractual clause designating that 10% of his brand would be owned by the Weinstein Company, per New York Magazine. This clause has since been taken out of the contestants’ contracts.

Since his win, McCarroll has continued his work as a designer, but has stepped out of the public eye, shutting down his blog and limiting TV appearances. Most recently, he worked for the wardrobe department of HBO’s Kate Winslet-led Mare of Easttown.

Chloe Dao, Season 2

Season 2 winner Dao was known for her billowing sleeves and intricate florals, bringing some whimsy to the competition.

The Houston-based designer spent the years since Project Runway building out her design business, selling everything from handbags to those light dresses that caught the judges’ attention. In 2014, she joined Project Runway Vietnam as a judge. 

Jeffrey Sebelia, Season 3

Jeffrey Sebelia, who joined the show after seeing the success of his friend Santino Rice, was known for his grunge, punk-inspired aesthetic.

Sebelia has since held various design jobs and returned for the third season of Project Runway All Stars.

Leanne Marshall, Season 5

Many didn’t expect Leanne Marshall to make it far, as she was placed in the bottom two during episode 2. Still, Marshall pulled out a series win for season 5 of Project Runway, inspiring the judges with the feminine curves of her wave-inspired collection. 

After winning the reality competition show, Marshall moved to New York City and narrowed in on her vertical of interest: wedding dresses. She still owns and operates her own wedding brand, and maintains a brick-and-mortar store in N.Y.C.

Irina Shabayeva, Season 6

Irina Shabayeva brought a never-before-seen perspective to Project Runway. With her metropolitan style, Shabayeva remained a frontrunner until her season 6 win. 

Since 2009, she has expanded her portfolio as a designer, currently serving as creative director for two different labels, Irina Shabayeva Couture and Maison MJZ. You can find an Irina Shabayeva dress on many red carpets, including on Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Seth Aaron Henderson, Season 7

With his signature black-and-red color palette, Seth Aaron Henderson quickly became the Project Runway voice of emo fashion. The judges chose to honor this bold styling twice, with Henderson winning both season 7 of Project Runway and season 3 of Project Runway All Stars. 

After winning season 7, Henderson created his own line, which still operates today. Based out of West Hollywood, SethAaron sells primarily gothic gowns and buckle accessories, as well as some pet couture. 

Gretchen Jones, Season 8

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. 

While Jones worked in the fashion space immediately following Project Runway, she eventually headed off to college, receiving her master’s in fashion from the University of the Arts London. She now runs her own company Weird Specialty, which provides creative consulting services to companies.

Anya Ayoung-Chee, Season 9

The former Miss Universe Trinidad and Tobago surprised audiences when she came to Project Runway young and hungry, having only four months of sewing experience.

Ayoung-Chee is still a designer, selling her clothes primarily through digital commerce from her home in Trinidad and Tobago. She maintains a bright outlook on design, selling heavily color-blocked and patterned resort wear.

In 2019, Ayoung-Chee competed on season 7 of Project Runway All Stars, coming in 10th place.

Dmitry Sholokhov, Season 10

Yet another double winner, Dmitry Sholokhov first gained attention in season 10 of Project Runway for his black garments with spare pops of color. Sholokhov would go on to win that season and later the fourth season of Project Runway All Stars. He was the runner-up of Project Runway All Stars season 7, which featured an all-winner cast.

Since his wins, Sholokhov has remained the creative director of his eponymous brand. He also worked as an instructor at his alma mater, Parsons School of Design.

Michelle Lesniak Franklin, Season 11

Michelle Lesniak Franklin came to Project Runway in her 30s after 10 years of experience in the wine industry. This lack of formal training gave her an edge, with Franklin quickly becoming known for her rule-breaking garments that eventually helped her win the show’s 11th season.

The Portland native continues to design prolifically, premiering her brand in limited runway shows and multiple local boutiques. She also designed for Darienne Lake on RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars.

Dom Streater, Season 12

Keen on intricate tailoring and optical illusions, Dom Streater quickly became the geometric whiz of Project Runway. With her floor-length, linearly patterned dresses, Streater was the franchise’s third double winner, taking the crown for season 12 of Project Runway and season 5 of Project Runway All Stars. 

Straight off the reality hit, Streater took a job as a sweaters and knitwear designer for Urban Outfitters, while simultaneously working on her own label. Streater has since parted ways with the lifestyle chain, working full time as lead designer for her own Dom Streater Studio in Philadelphia. 

Sean Kelly, Season 13

Sean Kelly was an immediate favorite of just about everyone on Project Runway, including the fans. In an interview with Stuff, Gunn even admitted that Kelly was his favorite contestant in the show’s history.

While Kelly may have been known for his evening wear on season 13, he made a swift pivot post-win to swimwear. His company Hercules New York was prominent in the men’s swim scene, but closed in 2024.

Ashley Nell Tipton, Season 14

Ashley Nell Tipton brought plus-sized fashion to the show. By introducing body diversity, Tipton not only found herself the season’s winner, but also changed the trajectory of the show to be more inclusive. 

One of the strongest breakouts of 2010s Project Runway, Tipton went on to build her inclusive clothing brand, also becoming a speaker and model. In 2020, she made waves for her JCPenney campaign, which was the brand’s first dip into body positivity. 

Erin Robertson, Season 15

Erin Robertson was another one of the young wonders to grace the show’s runway. Entering the competition just three weeks after she graduated from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Robertson captured the hearts of the judges with her free spirit and equally eclectic taste, ultimately winning the show’s 15th season. 

Robertson fueled her post-win public image into a clothing brand, which she still runs. She manages An_Erin, which sells “fashion art,” in addition to writing a Substack and co-founding Los Angeles pickleball facility Pickle Pop.

Kentaro Kameyama, Season 16

While some of the previous contestants won with flashy, eye-catching garments, Kentaro Kameyama took a different approach: restrained minimalism. It was Kameyama’s sheer technical prowess that won him the season 16 Project Runway top spot. 

After Project Runway, Kameyama kick-started his eponymous brand, which espouses the ways of minimalism.

Jhoan “Sebastian” Grey, Season 17

A fan favorite from day one, Jhoan “Sebastian” Grey combined artful heritage design with intricate tailoring.

Currently, Grey sells clothing on HSN under his label GREY by Jhoan Sebastian Grey.

Geoffrey Mac, Season 18

Season 18 was one of the most dramatic seasons of Project Runway. But from the stiff competition, the edgy Geoffrey Mac came out on top. 

A menswear savant, Mac has since grown his eponymous label, which offers men’s evening wear. Like his tenure on the show, Mac’s brand takes simple fashion concepts and introduces punk and streetwear inspiration.

Shantall Lacayo, Season 19

The first Latin American woman to win Project Runway, Shantall Lacayo actually competed in Project Runway Latin America, for which she was the first runner-up, before winning the American version’s 19th season. 

While Lacayo may have only won Project Runway in 2022, she’s already made great strides in the fashion world. Her solo brand SHANTALL continues to boom, offering up innovative reworkings of some classic looks.

Bishme Cromartie, Season 20

Bishme Cromartie, a season 17 favorite, won season 20 with a collection inspired “by his grieving process as he navigated the recent loss of his sister,” per Bravo.

Cromartie walked away with $250,000 plus a feature in Elle. He also earned a mentorship with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and representation from Agentry PR.

Since being crowned a winner, Cromartie debuted his collection at New York Fashion Week in 2023. He has since gone on to dress a number of celebrity clients, including Mary J. Blige and Lizzo.