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The Full List Of Project Runway Winners: Where Are They Now And The Shocking Host Return For Season 22

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The landscape of high fashion was irrevocably changed when Project Runway first premiered in 2004, launching the careers of designers who would go on to dress A-list celebrities, win CFDA awards, and define modern style. As of December 19, 2025, the show has crowned 21 main season winners and several All Stars champions, with each designer bringing a unique vision to the runway, but the conversation today is dominated by two major, fresh updates: the historic win of the most recent champion and the sensational news of a major host returning for the next season.

The latest seasons have delivered some of the most compelling and politically relevant fashion in the show’s history, moving the spotlight from simple construction challenges to deep, personal storytelling. From Bishme Cromartie's emotionally resonant All Stars victory to the groundbreaking win of the show's first transgender and Filipino designer in Season 21, the show continues to prove that fashion is a powerful vehicle for cultural conversation. This is the definitive, updated look at every designer who heard "You're in," and where their careers stand today, including the massive shake-up coming in Season 22.

Veejay Floresca: The Trailblazing Winner of Project Runway Season 21

The most recent champion to capture the fashion world's attention is Veejay Floresca, the winner of Project Runway Season 21. Her victory was not just a personal triumph but a historic moment for the show and the industry at large.

Veejay Floresca: Biography and Career Profile

  • Full Name: Veejay Floresca
  • Season Won: Season 21 (Aired 2024-2025)
  • Hometown: Manila, Philippines / Los Angeles, California
  • Historic Achievement: First transgender designer and first Filipino designer to win the American version of Project Runway.
  • Pre-Runway Career: Floresca is a celebrated Filipino-American fashion designer with over 21 years of experience in the industry before competing on the show. She previously competed on the Philippine version of the show.
  • Winning Collection Theme: Her final collection was lauded for its sophisticated, architectural silhouettes and a powerful narrative that celebrated her identity and journey.
  • Post-Runway Status: Floresca received a cash prize of $200,000, a mentorship with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), and a feature in Elle magazine. She continues to grow her brand, focusing on high-end, bespoke fashion.

Floresca’s victory is a powerful testament to the show's evolution, highlighting designers whose work is deeply intertwined with their personal and cultural narratives. Her designs, which blend Filipino heritage with modern, Los Angeles sensibility, have been described as both polished and conceptually brilliant.

The Shocking Return: Heidi Klum is Back for Season 22

In the biggest shake-up since the show moved from Bravo to Lifetime and back to Bravo, it was officially announced that Heidi Klum is returning to Project Runway. After an eight-year absence, the original host and executive producer is set to reclaim her spot on the judging panel for the upcoming Season 22.

Klum, who famously hosted the show for 16 seasons alongside mentor Tim Gunn, will return for the 22nd season, which is slated to premiere in 2026 and will be broadcast on Freeform, Hulu, and Disney+. This move marks a major shift in the show's format and network home, signaling a new era for the beloved fashion competition.

The announcement has generated massive buzz, especially as Klum will be joining a judging panel that retains some of the show's most popular contemporary figures. The confirmed lineup for Season 22 includes:

  • Host/Judge: Heidi Klum (Returning)
  • Judge: Nina Garcia (Longtime Judge)
  • Judge: Law Roach (Celebrity Stylist and Newest Judge)
  • Mentor: Christian Siriano (Season 4 Winner and Current Mentor)

The return of Klum, known for her iconic "Auf Wiedersehen" sign-off, brings a nostalgic yet fresh energy to the series, ensuring that the next season will be one of the most-watched in years. The combination of Klum’s original star power and the contemporary fashion expertise of Nina Garcia, Christian Siriano, and Law Roach promises a dynamic and highly critical judging environment.

A Definitive List of All Project Runway Winners and Their Current Status

The true legacy of Project Runway lies in the careers it launched. From the avant-garde to the commercially successful, here is the complete list of every winner and an update on what they are doing in the fashion world today. The prize package for winners typically includes a large cash prize, a feature in a major fashion magazine, and a mentorship with a top industry organization like the CFDA.

Main Season Winners (Seasons 1–21)

  • Season 1 (2004): Jay McCarroll
    Known for his unconventional approach and refusal to take the cash prize, McCarroll continues to work in fashion, teaching and designing.
  • Season 2 (2005): Chloe Dao
    The Houston-based designer has a successful boutique, LOTS of Style, and is known for her intricate florals and feminine designs.
  • Season 3 (2006): Jeffrey Sebelia
    The designer behind the children's line La Miniatura, Sebelia has continued to navigate the commercial side of the industry.
  • Season 4 (2007): Christian Siriano
    The show’s most successful winner, Siriano is a global phenomenon. He is a CFDA member, dresses nearly every A-list celebrity, and serves as the current mentor on Project Runway. His brand is a fixture at New York Fashion Week (NYFW).
  • Season 5 (2008): Leanne Marshall
    Marshall is highly successful in the bridal wear market, known for her ethereal, flowing gowns.
  • Season 6 (2009): Irina Shabayeva
    Shabayeva focuses on luxury outerwear and bridal collections, maintaining a strong, high-fashion aesthetic.
  • Season 7 (2010): Seth Aaron Henderson
    A two-time competitor and winner, Henderson is known for his theatrical, rock-and-roll-inspired designs and has collaborated with brands like QVC.
  • Season 8 (2010): Gretchen Jones
    Jones transitioned into consulting and design strategy, focusing on sustainable and ethical fashion practices.
  • Season 9 (2011): Anya Ayoung-Chee
    The former Miss Universe contestant from Trinidad and Tobago runs a successful resort wear and swimwear brand, focusing on her Caribbean roots.
  • Season 10 (2012): Dmitry Sholokhov
    A master of tailoring and structure, Sholokhov has a strong contemporary women's wear line.
  • Season 11 (2013): Michelle Lesniak
    Lesniak runs a boutique and design studio in Portland, Oregon, known for its edgy, ready-to-wear pieces.
  • Season 12 (2013): Dom Streater
    Streater is celebrated for her bold textile prints and has a successful scarf and accessories line.
  • Season 13 (2014): Sean Kelly
    The New Zealand designer has continued to develop his avant-garde fashion line, often showing internationally.
  • Season 14 (2015): Ashley Nell Tipton
    Tipton made history as the first plus-size designer to win and has since collaborated with brands like JCPenney, becoming a major voice in size inclusivity.
  • Season 15 (2016): Erin Robertson
    Known for her quirky, playful designs, Robertson continues to create unique, art-inspired fashion pieces.
  • Season 16 (2017): Kentaro Kameyama
    Kameyama, a former classical pianist, runs a sophisticated, minimalist women's wear line.
  • Season 17 (2019): Sebastian Grey
    Grey, a Colombian designer, is known for his impeccable tailoring and sculptural designs, winning the first season after the show's return to Bravo.
  • Season 18 (2020): Geoffrey Mac
    Mac focuses on edgy, futuristic designs and has dressed celebrities like Lady Gaga.
  • Season 19 (2021): Shantall Lacayo
    The Nicaraguan designer has a successful brand known for its vibrant colors and Latin American-inspired textures.
  • Season 20 (All Stars) (2023): Bishme Cromartie
    A fan favorite from Season 17, Cromartie won the All Stars season with a deeply personal collection inspired by the grieving process after the loss of his sister. He debuted his winning collection at NYFW.
  • Season 21 (2024–2025): Veejay Floresca
    (See detailed section above for the most recent winner).

The Enduring Legacy: Why Project Runway Still Matters

The continued success and relevance of Project Runway, even with its network and host changes, speaks to the public's enduring fascination with the creative process. The show has consistently served as a vital launchpad, providing designers with exposure that can lead to multi-million dollar brands, like the empire built by Christian Siriano.

From the early days with Tim Gunn’s mentorship and Heidi Klum’s hosting, to the current era under Christian Siriano, the core mission remains: to discover the next great American designer. The shift in focus to include designers like Veejay Floresca and Ashley Nell Tipton demonstrates a commitment to diversity and inclusion, making the show a mirror of the modern fashion industry's evolving values. The announcement of Klum’s return for Season 22 is not just a ratings grab; it’s a powerful nod to the show's legacy while embracing its future on new platforms like Freeform and Disney+. The fashion world is watching, ready to see who will be the next designer to make it work.

project runway winners
project runway winners

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