Since it premiered in December 2004, Project Runway has been a huge hit. Fans simply love the series that pits designers against each other for a chance to finally breakthrough in the world of fashion. And, even if audiences weren't interested in the drama from the workroom, they were certainly there for the runways.
The first 10 seasons and their winners set the stage for Project Runway's success. In fact, many of these first 10 winners have become iconic. Some are even household names. What's more, many continued to compete in other Project Runway spin-off competitions. Additionally, a few winners from the first 10 seasons caused such a controversy that their wins are still hot topics today for fans.
Season 1: Jay McCarroll
Right from the start, this show received critical acclaim and steadily grew an audience, quickly becoming Bravo's biggest hit since Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Season 1 of Project Runway featured 12 designers competing for the top prize, and the first season's finale included runway shows from Jay McCarroll, Wendy Pepper, and Kara Saun.
In the end, the judges chose Jay McCarroll as the winner. Like many of the other contestants, Jay struggled to make it in the world of fashion before the show. He is the only season winner to have never won a challenge. What's more, he was nearly sent home in the challenge before the finale. After winning, Jay made some sparks when he refused the prize money and the mentorship with Banana Republic because he disagreed with the contractual obligations.
Season 2: Chloe Dao
The second season of Project Runway began with a nationwide search. Sixteen semi-finalists were sent to New York, and after the first challenge, only 14 remained. The judges chose Santino Rice, Daniel Vosovic, and Chloe Dao as the finalists. Dao won.
Chloe Dao's final runway was a collection of women's evening wear that stunned judges with billowing sleeves, cardigans, and rich fabrics. Dao won two challenges overall and placed in the top 3 four times. Like McCarroll before her, she was in the bottom 3 in the challenge before the finale. Unlike McCarroll, however, Dao chose to accept the prize money and the mentorship with Banana Republic.
Season 3: Jeffrey Sebelia
With two successful seasons under its belt, Project Runway decided to spice things up. This season introduced an "all-or-nothing challenge" where eliminated contestants could return to the competition and stay if their design won the challenge. The judges sent home three designers that challenge, including the two returning designers. This season was also the first season to allow four designers to move on to the final runway.
The finale included fan-favorite Mychael Knight, Laura Bennett, Uli Herzner, and Jeffrey Sebelia. While Sebelia was portrayed as the "villain" of the season, his rock-inspired collection won him the overall competition. Sebelia went on to compete in Project Runway All Stars, placing seventh overall. He has since started his own line, Cosa Nostra.
Season 4: Chrisitan Siriano
Season 4 of Project Runway was the first season where four contestants were asked to create a finale runway collection, but only three competed for the prize. Christian Siriano, Chris March, Rami Kashou, and Jillian Lewis were the final four designers. March was eliminated before the final runway.
Christian Siriano took home the prize. Not only is he the youngest person to win Project Runway, but he was also awarded the fan-favorite prize for his season. Not only were his designs incredible, but they drew the attention of the guest judges. Victoria Beckham memorably said that she would wear any of Siriano's designs. That praise helped propel Sirano after the competition. He created his own line that has almost become a household name. Now Siriano finds himself as the new mentor of Project Runway after the departure of Tim Gunn.
Season 5: Leanne Marshall
The first episode of Season 5 was the first time in series history that the show re-used a previous challenge. "Let's Start from the Beginning" asked designers to create a garment from items they found at a grocery store. In the end, the judges chose Leanne Marshall, Korto Momolu, and Kenley Collins - the first all-female finale.
Inspired by waves, Marshall's collection won over the judges. The collection featured cool colors, unique pleats, and garments that moved like water. There was criticism over Marshall relying heavily on the same techniques she had used toward the end of the competition in her final collection. However, in the end, her work was impressive enough to counter these complaints.
Season 6: Irina Shabayeva
After five seasons on Bravo, Project Runway moved to Lifetime. This was the only season to be filmed in Los Angeles instead of New York City. This season would result in a second all-female finale, including Irina Shabayeva, Althea Harper, and Carole Hannah Witfield.
Shabayeva won the season with her warrior-woman-inspired collection. This finale was fierce, as none of the three designers had ever been at the bottom. However, right before the finale, Shabayeva won three challenges, which proved that she had what it took to win it all. After Season 6, she competed in Project Runway: All Stars Season 7 and came in third place.
Season 7: Seth Aaron Henderson
Moving back to New York, Season 7 of Project Runway was the first year a competitor chose to leave the competition for personal reasons. Fan-favorite winner Maya Luz chose to leave Episode 11, stating that she didn't feel qualified to continue. This was also the first season where all eliminated contestants, except Luz, created decoy collections for the finale fashion show.
In the end, the competition was between Seth Aaron Henderson, Mila Hermanovski, and Emilio Sosa. Henderson showed an innovative collection inspired by German and Russian military aesthetics. His most notable piece was a parachute dress that judge Faith Hill said she would wear "in a heartbeat." After winning Season 7, Henderson went on to show collections made entirely of sustainable fabrics. He later competed on Project Runway: All Stars season 3, which he won, and season 7, where he was eliminated second.
Season 8: Gretchen Jones
Season 8 of Project Runway was comprised of 90-minute episodes. This season also featured the longest ever deliberation over the finale contestants, Ari South, Mondo Guerra, and Gretchen Jones. In the end, Heidi Klum and guest judge Jessica Simpson voted for Guerra to win, while Nina Garcia and Michael Kors voted for Jones. Jones won the season, but later, Tim Gunn shared his disappointment in the judge's decision, saying that Guerra should have won.
Jones started the season strong but was later considered a bully after a team challenge. Her boho-chic-inspired finale collection won her the prize. Since the show, Jones released her own ready-to-wear line. However, fans on Reddit wonder if she has stopped designing based on her private social media accounts.
Season 9: Anya Ayoung-Chee
Season 9 of Project Runway featured 20 designers. Packed with talent, the judges found it difficult to narrow this season down to just three finalists, so this became the second season in history to have four designers compete for the grand prize. The finalists included Joshua McKinley, Viktor Luna, Kimberly Goldson, and Anya Ayoung-Chee.
Ayoung-Chee won Season 9 after learning how to sew four months before auditioning. She consistently placed in the top throughout the season, so it wasn't a surprise when she won. Ayoung-Chee was also voted the fan-favorite for this season. After the show, Ayoung-Chee competed on Project Runway: All Stars Season 7, as well as Under the Gunn, where she mentored designers through a fashion competition.
Season 10: Dmitry Sholokhov
To celebrate 10 successful Project Runway seasons, the showed premiered with a runway in front of a live audience. This season also saw two designers, Andrea Katz and Kooan Kosuke, step away for personal reasons on Episode 3. In the end, the judges saw four collections compete in the finale from designers Dmitry Sholokhov, Fabio Costa, Melissa Fleis, and Christopher Palu.
Thanks to his impeccable tailoring, Dmitri Sholokhov won Season 10. His collection featured monochromatic patterns, sleek pure white pieces, and clothing with a pop of yellow. What's more, a few of his pieces featured his signature mark, sheer geometric lines, and cutouts. He continued to use this technique when competing in Season 7 of Project Runway: All Stars, where he came in second.