The Ultimate List Of All 21 Project Runway Winners: Where Are They Now And Who Built The Biggest Fashion Empire?

Since its debut in 2004, Project Runway has been the ultimate proving ground for aspiring fashion designers, launching a select few into the coveted world of high fashion. The show, which recently concluded its 21st season, has not only crowned over two dozen champions across its main and All-Stars formats but has fundamentally reshaped the landscape of American fashion reality television. The journey from the workroom to New York Fashion Week is fraught with challenges, but the designers who triumph secure a legacy and a career-defining platform, often translating their television fame into multi-million dollar brands.

As of December 2025, the newest winners, Bishme Cromartie and Veejay Floresca, are defining the show's future, while legends like Christian Siriano continue to dominate red carpets globally. This comprehensive list tracks every single winner, diving deep into their most recent collections, celebrity collaborations, and the current status of their thriving fashion careers, providing the most up-to-date look at the show's incredible legacy.

The Complete Project Runway Winner's Circle: A Full Biography Profile

The list of Project Runway winners represents a diverse tapestry of design aesthetics, from avant-garde artistry to commercial ready-to-wear. Below is a complete, season-by-season breakdown of every main series and All-Stars champion, chronicling their journey to the top of the reality TV fashion world. This list is current through the most recent Season 21.

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• Season 1 (2004): Jay McCarroll (The original winner, who famously turned down the initial prize money to maintain creative control.)
• Season 2 (2005): Chloe Dao (Continues to run her successful boutique, DAO Chloe DAO, in Houston, Texas.)
• Season 3 (2006): Jeffrey Sebelia (Known for his punk-rock aesthetic and children's clothing line, La Miniatura.)
• Season 4 (2007): Christian Siriano (The show's most successful alum, now a CFDA member and red-carpet powerhouse.)
• Season 5 (2008): Leanne Marshall (Known for her ethereal, sustainable bridal and evening wear.)
• Season 6 (2009): Irina Shabayeva (Focuses on luxury outerwear and evening gowns.)
• Season 7 (2010): Seth Aaron Henderson (A specialist in theatrical, edgy collections, often incorporating sustainable materials.)
• Season 8 (2010): Gretchen Jones (Moved into ethical and sustainable fashion consulting and design.)
• Season 9 (2011): Anya Ayoung-Chee (Focuses on swimwear and resort wear, inspired by her Trinidadian roots.)
• Season 10 (2012): Dmitry Sholokhov (Known for his impeccable tailoring and geometric designs.)
• Season 11 (2013): Michelle Lesniak (Emphasizes texture and unexpected silhouettes.)
• Season 12 (2013): Dom Streater (Her designs are celebrated for their bold, graphic prints.)
• Season 13 (2014): Sean Kelly (Known for his innovative use of fabric and movement.)
• Season 14 (2015): Ashley Nell Tipton (Made history as the first plus-size designer to win.)
• Season 15 (2016): Erin Robertson (Celebrated for her playful, whimsical, and colorful designs.)
• Season 16 (2017): Kentaro Kameyama (A classical musician and designer specializing in elegant, structured womenswear.)
• Season 17 (2019): Sebastian Grey (Focuses on sophisticated, sculptural leatherwork and evening gowns.)
• Season 18 (2019): Geoffrey Mac (Known for his edgy, gender-fluid designs and use of unconventional materials.)
• Season 19 (2021): Shantall Lacayo (A Nicaraguan designer whose work is rich with Latin American cultural influences.)
• Season 20: All Stars (2023): Bishme Cromartie (Returned after Season 17 to claim the All-Stars title with an emotional collection.)
• Season 21 (2024): Veejay Floresca (Made history as the show's first transgender woman winner.)

Christian Siriano: The Billion-Dollar Blueprint for Post-Show Success

No discussion of Project Runway is complete without acknowledging the monumental career of Christian Siriano. Winning Season 4 in 2007, Siriano has transcended the reality TV label to become one of the most respected and commercially successful American designers of his generation. His success is the gold standard for any aspiring designer on the show.

In the current fashion landscape, Siriano remains a dominant force. His recent collections, including the Fall/Winter 2025/26 and Spring/Summer 2026 lines, continue to be highly anticipated events at New York Fashion Week (NYFW). The collections are characterized by his signature dramatic silhouettes, masterful use of luxurious fabrics, and a commitment to size inclusivity that has been revolutionary in high fashion. His Spring/Summer 2026 collection, for instance, drew inspiration from the cinematic glamour of 1940s film and the effortless style of icons like Marlene Dietrich, showcasing his range and deep appreciation for fashion history.

Siriano's brand thrives on celebrity dressing, making him a perennial favorite on the red carpet. In recent months, he has dressed A-list stars for major film festivals and awards shows, including a stunning look worn by Andra Day at the 'Is This Thing On?' New York Film Festival Premiere. His ability to consistently create buzz-worthy, memorable moments for Hollywood's elite solidifies his status as the most successful Project Runway winner, with a brand that has expanded far beyond the initial prize package.

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The New Guard: Veejay Floresca and Bishme Cromartie’s Latest Triumphs

The most recent champions, Bishme Cromartie and Veejay Floresca, are setting a fresh, emotionally resonant tone for the show's legacy. Their wins are not just about design skill; they are deeply personal stories that have resonated with audiences and critics alike.

Bishme Cromartie: A Brutal Cry at NYFW

Bishme Cromartie, the Season 20 All-Stars winner, has channeled his deeply personal grief into powerful, critically acclaimed fashion. His winning collection, which was inspired by navigating the recent loss of his sister, was a bittersweet triumph. Following his victory, Cromartie immediately debuted his collection at New York Fashion Week (NYFW), showcasing his incredible talent for sculpting and celebrating the female body.

His post-win collection, titled "Brutal Cry," was a significant milestone in his career, marking his third major collection since his initial run on the show. The Baltimore native's work is characterized by dramatic volume, sharp tailoring, and a sophisticated color palette, earning him high praise from fashion authorities like Vogue. His continued presence at NYFW, supported by mentors like Christian Siriano, confirms his trajectory as a major figure in contemporary American luxury womenswear.

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Veejay Floresca: Making History and Modern Bridal

Veejay Floresca, the trailblazing winner of Season 21, made history as the first transgender woman to win Project Runway. Her victory is a watershed moment for representation in the fashion industry, inspiring a new generation of designers.

Since her win, the Filipino-American designer has been on a steady rise, focusing on her signature aesthetic: modern bridal and evening wear. Floresca’s designs are known for their exquisite tailoring, sculptural silhouettes, and a minimalist yet deeply sophisticated approach that emphasizes the female form. After 13 years of persistently auditioning for the show, her success is a testament to perseverance.

Floresca is currently preparing for a major milestone: her first solo New York Fashion Week show, an event that will officially define the next phase of her brand. She is dedicated to designing for all women, with a clear vision of expanding her brand's reach and impact in the global fashion market. Her focus on inclusivity and her unique design voice positions her as one of the most exciting and relevant winners in the show's history.

The Project Runway Legacy: More Than Just a TV Show

The true measure of Project Runway's influence is not just the prize money awarded, but the sustained careers it has launched. The show provides an invaluable platform for designers to gain instant name recognition, secure mentorship, and navigate the notoriously difficult fashion business. From Jay McCarroll's independent spirit to Christian Siriano's global brand dominance and Veejay Floresca's historic win, each champion contributes a unique chapter to the show's ever-evolving legacy.

The competition is fierce, but the designers who succeed—those who can blend technical skill with a unique, marketable vision—go on to define current trends and shape the future of the industry. The ongoing success of the winners proves that a reality television start can be the perfect springboard to a long and illustrious career in high fashion.