Shashwat Khatri
Since its inception, Bravo’s ‘Project Runway’ has had a long list of winners and talented designers, though not all of them have gone on to make it big in the fashion industry. But if there’s one contestant who’s had quite the runaway success since their appearance, it’s the show’s 20th ‘All Stars’ season winner, Bishme Cromartie. Quite the prolific couturier, Cromartie’s success on and post his journey on the highly acclaimed fashion-based reality show has been nothing short of a dream come true, though one realized through sheer hard work, creativity, and persistence, and which continues to grow in all his endeavors since his ‘Project Runway’ days.
Bishme Cromartie’s Avant-Garde Aesthetic Crowned Him Victorious
A Baltimore native, Bishme Cromartie’s experimental, avant-garde designs with a heavy street style influence were on full display ever since his first appearance in Season 17 of ‘Project Runway.’ Though his first stint on the grueling and demanding show got him auf’d before reaching the Top 3 and failing to showcase his collection, he made good on his great expectations upon his return. Prior to season 19, Cromartie came back as one of eight previously eliminated contestants on ‘Project Runway Redemption’ and went on to win the finale, with $25,000 in prize money to boot. However, the best was yet to come. Returning for the show’s 20th season in 2023, Cromartie once again went the distance, winning in one of the hardest-fought seasons yet – beating an ‘All Stars’ cast of 13 other designers from previous seasons.
For Cromartie, ‘Project Runway’ proved to be the catalyst he needed to jump-start his career, working under the tightest of restrictions, be it of materials or time, and honing his craft, often under stressful situations. Self-taught and exuding a quiet boyish charm, Cromartie thinks highly of his time on the long-running reality show, but knows, like any designer with aspirations of making it in the fashion industry, that there are bigger fish to fry.
Bishme Cromartie Faced a Personal Tragedy Before His Project Runway Win
Bishme Cromartie’s ‘Project Runway’ journey had been anything but smooth. His sister, Chimere Wall, succumbed to her battle with cancer on July 24, 2022, two months before the 20th season of ‘Project Runway’ started filming. However, he kept his grief from his castmates, opening up gradually over the course of the show. Being Cromartie’s elder sister and his most vocal supporter, Chimere was the one who pushed him closer to his dreams, and even took him on a surprise trip to NYC, where he first met his hero, the late British fashion designer Alexander McQueen, at The Met in 2011. Sadly, navigating the world of ‘Project Runway’ proved difficult for the grief-stricken artist.
While the show served as a distraction, it wasn’t until the season finale that some of Cromartie’s grief came to the surface. No sooner had his grief overcome him than he returned with redoubled effort and presented his collection that crowned him the winner. Only afterwards, when he could not hold back the tears, did he fully open up about how much he missed his sister. The tragedy of his sister’s passing brought him closer to fellow ‘Project Runway’ contestants while also connecting him with his fans, who could now see that Cromartie’s dedication didn’t come despite his sister’s passing, but because of the role she played in his life.
Bishme Cromartie’s Fashion Star is on the Ascent
In an interview with CNN post his win, Bishme Cromartie said, “Project Runway for me was like school. And I don’t want to be known as a Project Runway winner forever.” Although being a ‘Project Runway’ winner made him a household name and got his foot in the door, it’s his journey after the fact that’s caught the eyes of fashionistas and celebrities alike, as have his bold, beautiful, and streetwise fashion aesthetics. Currently living in East Baltimore, Maryland, he has been quite the busybody since his days on the show. Cromartie debuted his collection at the New York Fashion Week (NYFW) in 2023 to great reviews.
Furthermore, his work has since been lauded and published in such prestigious publications as Elle, Essence, Forbes, Los Angeles Times, Vogue, The Washington Times, and Women’s Wear Daily (WWD). Having designed garments for several Hollywood celebrities and high-profile clientele, the likes of which include Victoria Monet, Chloe Bailey, Jennifer Hudson, and Michael Williams, the openly gay fashion designer has steadily risen through the ranks to become one of the most recognized names to have come out of ‘Project Runway’. Cromartie also titled his Spring/Summer 2024 collection “Faye’s Quantum”, named after his sister’s middle name, Faye – a heartfelt tribute to his sister and his biggest supporter.
Since then, Cromartie has been a regular at fashion events, launching his collections at the 2024 Fashion Group International, for which he was recognized as a Rising Star nominee as well as the NYFW Fall 2025 Collection. The ‘Project Runway’ winner is now a brand unto itself, running an e-commerce platform selling his quintessentially Bishme Cromartie designer clothes and apparel. Cromartie continues to inspire young aspiring fashion designers, not just through his work, but also by speaking to classes and donating fabric at the Baltimore Design School. As of today, the fashion designer is working on his new seasonless collection, “Baroque Clairvoyance,” to be launched in Baltimore for NYFW 2025.
Read More: Where is Project Runway Season 21 Filmed?
