Over 19 seasons of the fashion competition show, Project Runway, we have met hundreds of designers. Not all the fashion designers are successful after the show.
Some designers continue working independently in their hometown, some move to New York and made it big. Here are some of the contestants who, despite never winning the show, have gone on to have great success in the industry.
8 Mondo Guerra From 'Project Runway' Season 8
Fans consider Mondo one of the best designers to not win his season. He was a runner-up on the eighth season and the judges loved him so much Heidi Klum wore a modified version of one of Guerra's final collection gowns for the Los Angeles premiere of the movie Black Swan.
Now, he has a successful career dressing drag queens, his outfits regularly appearing on the main stage of Rupaul's Drag Race. Blair St Clair and Jackie Cox are just two of the queens who regularly wear his creations.
7 Austin Scarlett From 'Project Runway' Season 1
Austin Scarlett made a very memorable appearance on the very first season of Project Runway, back in 2004. After the show ended, he starred in a spin-off alongside his fellow contestant called On the Road with Austin and Santino.
Aside from having his own spin-off show, Austin Scarlett went on to design wedding gowns at Vera Wang. He is now a successful wedding dress and gown designer. His costumes often appear in theater including David Parson's Dance on PBS and Metropolitan Museum of Art.
6 Nick Verreos From 'Project Runway' Season 2
Nick may have only come fifth on the 2nd season of Project Runway, but it hasn't impacted his career. His high-end label NIKOLAKI has dressed some of the most beautiful women in the world including Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria and Ali Landry. After appearing as a contestant, Verreos appeared as an audition judge, guest judge and guest commentator on various seasons of Project Runway and its various spin-offs. He also blogs about the show for Bravo.
In August 2016, Verreos published a fashion text entitled A Passion for Fashion: Achieving Your Fashion Dreams One Thread at a Time. In August 2018, Nick and partner David Paul were named co-chairs of the FIDM Fashion Design Program.
5 Santino Rice From 'Project Runway' Season 2
Santino Rice may have had mixed success as a designer on the second season of Project Runway, but fans loved him. His abrasive personality and Tim Gunn impersonation led to him getting a successful post Project Runway career.
Rice was selected to be one of the judges of the Miss Universe 2006 pageant he also made guest appearances on other reality shows. He starred in the Lifetime show On the Road with Austin and Santino. He is best known as judging queens on Rupaul's Drag Race from 2009 to 2014. He caused controversy during the COVID-19 pandemic for spreading vaccine misinformation.
4 Chris March From 'Project Runway' Season 4
Chris March made a big appearance on the fourth season of Project Runway. The larger than life character has appeared on further reality shows several episodes of The Real Housewives of New York City as a friend of Sonja Morgan.
His avant-garde fashion creations led to him working with Madonna, Prince and Lady Gaga. He also constructed the costumes for Beyonce's "I Am...Tour." Sadly, he suffered from ill-health in his later years and passed away in September 2019 from a heart attack.
3 Candice Cuoco From 'Project Runway' Season 14
Candice Cuoco ranked fourth on the 14th season of the show. Famed for her dark, leather and gothic-inspired clothing, she has dressed many famous people including creating outfits for Lady Gaga's "Stupid Love" music video. Cuoco also made an appearance on Growing Up Hip Hop, which followed her collaboration with Vanessa Simmons.
In September 2017, Cuoco presented her "Sirens" collection at NYFW, in partnership with Style 360. She has shown collections at New York, London, and Paris Fashion Week, and her looks have been featured in Vogue, Elle and Galore Magazines, as well as in the Los Angeles Time.
2 Malan Breton From 'Project Runway' Season 3
The Taiwanese designer may have only come 14th in the third season of Project Runway, but he has gone on to great success in the fashion industry. Breton was the subject/host/co-producer of The Malan Show featured on BravoTV.com, which followed his career as an independent designer. He now dresses some of the most famous people in the world including Francia Raisa, Lorde and Darren Criss.
As well as showing his designs around the world, his designs have been seen on a range of television shows including Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Quantico and Ru Paul's Drag Race. He even made Camille Meyer's wedding dress! He has worked as a fashion columnist for OK! magazine and as a red carpet correspondent.
1 Michael Costello From 'Project Runway' Season 8
Michael Costello wasn't well-liked by his season eight contestants when appeared on Project Runway. They complained at his lack of sewing skills, which is ironic considering how successful he has become post series. He is now a red carpet favorite for high profile celebrities but has also found himself in celebrity controversy after being accused of racism.
He garnered national attention in 2014, when he dressed Beyonce in a stunning white lace dress at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. He has continuously dressed the superstar, including making outfits for her "On the Run Tour" and "The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour." He also dressed Meghan Trainor for her 2016 Grammy appearance, Maren Morris and Alicia Keys.
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