Shivangi Sinha
Hulu’s ‘Project Runway’ is known for bringing together a diverse group of designers, each with their own unique personalities, backgrounds, and creative perspectives. Season 21 was no different as it showcased a vibrant mix of talent and individuality. Among the standout contestants was Joseph McRae, whose charm and approachable nature made him a favorite both on and off the runway. He demonstrated a strong work ethic and a genuine willingness to learn and grow throughout the competition. His designs reflected his dynamic personality and captured the spirit of the show’s creative diversity.
Joseph McRae Was Gradually Able to Make a Strong Impression on the Judges
Joseph McRae’s journey on the season began with a bang as he was the very first designer to arrive. Right from the start, he brought energy, confidence, and an eagerness to make his mark. In the first challenge, the designers were split into two teams, one assigned to create looks inspired by princesses and the other by villains. The task required them to develop a cohesive runway show with garments that captured their team’s theme through silhouette, styling, and storytelling. Joseph, part of the villain’s team, stayed true to his aesthetic, presenting a bold and edgy design. However, the judges felt that his look didn’t fully align with the challenge theme and criticized it for lacking a clear silhouette and narrative connection. Despite being at the bottom, Joseph’s piece was noted for its authenticity and originality.
Judge Law Roach even defended it and stated he personally liked the costume and saw potential in Joseph’s vision. He quickly rebounded in the second challenge, which focused on creating stylish and functional athleisure wear, again in teams. This time, Joseph’s talent shone brightly, and his look was not only on trend but also well-constructed and fashion-forward. He landed in the top three for the challenge, earning praise from the judges for both execution and creativity. It was clear that Joseph was beginning to find his stride in the competition with originality, drive, and a growing command of the runway.
Joseph McRae is Running His Own Fashion Label Today
Joseph McRae’s professional journey is a testament to both perseverance and creative reinvention. He began working at GAP in 2010, where he steadily grew within the company and eventually became an Assistant General Manager. In this capacity, he has taken on a multifaceted role of executing customer strategies, guiding product initiatives, and managing teams to drive talent development. His time at GAP laid the foundation for his leadership and business acumen, skills that would later prove invaluable in the fashion industry. While still working at GAP, Joseph enrolled at North Carolina State University, where he pursued and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 2019, as he felt it was a stable career.
It was during his university years that a close friend encouraged him to participate in a campus design competition. This marked the true beginning of his fashion career. That experience reignited a passion Joseph had harbored since childhood, when he watched his mother sew clothes for him out of necessity. Inspired and emboldened, he made the courageous decision to pivot away from engineering and toward a career in fashion. In 2015, he launched the Joseph McRae clothing brand and assumed the role of Creative Director. His brand quickly gained recognition for its bold, silhouette-forward approach and its mission to subvert gendered norms in fashion.
He designs with the intention of blending masculine and feminine elements, challenging traditional boundaries and celebrating individuality. Today, Joseph continues to balance both careers. He is maintaining his leadership role at GAP while growing his fashion label. Through his work, he remains committed to authenticity, vision, and redefining what fashion can be when it is rooted in both lived experience and fearless imagination.
Joseph McRae Prioritizes Safe Spaces That Allow Free Exploration of Ideas
Joseph McRae proudly identifies as a Black queer designer, and that identity deeply shapes both his life and his creative voice. Through his brand, he’s found a personal safe space where creativity, freedom, and self-expression can thrive without limits. His recent collections, including Growth 2024, Urban Widow 2024, and Widowed Brode 2023, are not just fashion statements but reflections of personal evolution and storytelling. Each piece speaks to breaking traditional tropes around masculinity and femininity, pushing boundaries in both form and feeling.
Joseph is also his own muse as he often models for his collections on social media. He reflects not only his artistic eye but also his authenticity and pride in who he is. Despite a busy life balancing roles, fashion shows, and photo shoots, he remains deeply grounded. Family continues to play an essential role in his life, and their support is quite essential to him. Whether it’s in a studio, behind a camera, or walking a runway, Joseph McRae is living his truth and using his platform to make space for others to do the same.
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