Shivangi Sinha
Hulu’s ‘Project Runway’ has long been celebrated as a platform that not only showcases creativity but also offers contestants valuable feedback from industry experts, pushing them to grow as designers. The show has become a cultural hit by inspiring fashion enthusiasts while highlighting new and emerging talent. In Season 21, twelve contestants from across the country, with their own unique style, vision, and background, came together to compete. Their diverse approaches to design created an exciting mix of innovation and artistry, which made it quite an exciting watch.
Joseph McRae is Handling a Managerial Role Along With Running His Own Label
Joseph McRae is a Black queer designer. He is balancing his dual careers as Assistant General Manager at GAP and Creative Director of his self-titled fashion brand, which was launched in 2015. His work is defined by blending masculine and feminine elements to challenge traditional fashion norms while creating safe spaces for authentic self-expression. McRae’s recent collections, including Growth 2024, Urban Widow 2024, and Widowed Brode 2023, highlight his storytelling through bold and silhouette-driven designs. He often serves as his own muse and models his pieces on social media.
Ethan Mundt Loves to Perform as the Utica Queen
Ethan Mundt is widely celebrated as Utica Queen and he has made a name for himself as a drag artist, designer, and performer. Originally from Utica, Minnesota, his early love for cosplay and theater blossomed into a career in costume design while studying at Hamline University, where he earned his degree in 2017. His creativity reached a national stage when he competed on ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ season 13, where his flair gained him devoted fans. Since then, Ethan has expanded his craft through drag, fashion, and fine art, including his 2021 solo exhibition Homecoming Queen at the Rochester Art Center. Now based in Chicago, he continues to thrive as a designer, entertainer, and visual artist.
Veejay Floresca is Taking Her Fashion Label to Big Heights Every Day
Veejay Floresca has carved out a name for herself as both a designer and advocate. Though she originally wanted to study law, a full scholarship led her to pursue Fashion and Apparel Design at De La Salle University and she graduated in 2006. After early experience as a head designer, she launched her own studio from her apartment. It helped support her family and fund her sister’s education. She later expanded her training in London and San Francisco before founding Floresca Fashion LLC in New York in 2016. Known for her sustainable bridal and evening wear, her work has graced New York Fashion Week and major magazines. In 2022, she represented the Philippines at Miss Trans Star International, where she placed in the top 16.
Madeline Malenfant Sells Her Designs Under Her Own Label
Madeline Malenfant, originally from Nantucket Island, is now based in Brooklyn. She has forged her own path in fashion design. After studying sculpture in college, she realized her small New York apartment wasn’t suited for large-scale work and shifted toward costume design. She trained at the London College of Fashion, earning her MFA in 2019, and later gained experience in television’s costume departments. Finding that world unfulfilling, she launched her own label in 2022. Today, she crafts handmade garments that merge Renaissance-inspired silhouettes and vintage aesthetics with a contemporary twist. Her pieces are also available as a collection at Café Forgot.
Jesus Estrada is the Creative Director of His Fashion Line
Jesus Estrada is a fresh and inspiring voice in contemporary fashion. He was first seen on ‘Project Runway’ season 7 but was eliminated quickly. This time, he wanted to prove how far he had come in terms of his work. As Creative Director of Estrada Twins, the label he launched with his brother Antonio in 2012, he continues to push boundaries with collections that merge luxury eveningwear and menswear. In 2024, the duo reached a milestone with the debut of their flagship New York City boutique and a celebrated New York Fashion Week showcase. Beyond his design work, Jesus often mentors students, supports charitable fashion events, and proudly credits his mother and siblings as his greatest inspiration.
Joan Madison Specializes in Bridal and Formal Couture
Originally from Queens, New York, Joan Madison is quite well known in the world of fashion for her dramatic and theatrical design style. Early in her career, she gained valuable industry experience working with established labels such as Ellen Tracy, Ann Taylor, and Liz Claiborne. Seeking new opportunities, she later moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she transitioned into technical design and held key roles at The Limited and Express. By 2000, she decided to branch out on her own and launched a bridal boutique focused on custom couture gowns. Six years later, her vision grew into Joan’s Bridal Couture, a full-service salon offering not only wedding attire but also bespoke evening wear, prom, and pageant gowns. Today, she continues to lead her brand and is celebrated for combining elegance with statement-making style.
Yuchen Han Likes Making Futuristic Designs Under His Fashion Label
Yuchen Han was born and raised in Xining, China and relocated to New York City to pursue a Master’s degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology. In 2019, he introduced his fashion label, Alienant, which quickly drew attention for its bold, sci-fi-inspired and futuristic aesthetic. His innovative designs have gained significant recognition in the fashion community, making him one of the rising names to watch. Han’s work earned him the prestigious Yu Prize, an award dedicated to supporting emerging designers. He is also represented by CanvasRebel and it has helped him elevate his creative platform.
Caycee Black’s Forte is in Gender-Fluid Clothing
Caycee Black appeared in season 19 for the first time, and she was eliminated in the very first round. Unfortunately, she had to leave in the first round this season as well. A graduate of Parsons School of Design with a BFA in fashion, she has built a career shaping gender-fluid collections. Over the years, she has held design roles with respected labels including Anna Sui, Club Monaco, Tibi, Reed Krakoff, and Coach. Black’s work earned early industry buzz, with WWD naming her a designer to watch back in 2009. She describes her aesthetic as “dystopian farm girl,” a style reflected in her collections now sold through Shein as well as her own website. She has also received honors from WWD, Lucky Magazine, and Vogue UK.
Antonio Estrada is Focusing on His Flagship Store Today
Antonio Estrada is now celebrating a milestone with the opening of the Estrada Twins’ flagship boutique in Armonk, New York, a project launched with his twin brother, Jesus. The brand, which began in 2012, has grown from small beginnings into a luxury label recognized for its dramatic, custom gowns, especially its standout bat mitzvah designs that built a loyal following. Antonio serves as the primary creative driver, shaping the bold, high-glamour identity of the line. Alongside their boutique, the Estrada Twins have also achieved placement at Bergdorf Goodman and it has solidified their reputation in the world of couture fashion.
Angelo Rosa is the Head Designer for Two Fashion Lines
Angelo Rosa, of Dominican heritage, has pursued a distinctive path in the fashion world. He first gained recognition with his debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in 2014, where his innovative style drew critical attention. Currently, Rosa serves as the head designer for both Hvman and Cult of Individuality, two labels known for their edgy, streetwear-inspired aesthetics. Beyond fashion, his most important role is as a father. Since 2020, following the birth of his daughter, Rosa has been raising her as a single parent in Providence, Rhode Island.
Alex Foxworth Incorporates Sustainable Materials and Methods in Her Designs
Alex Foxworth continues to shape her career by drawing deeply from her heritage, particularly the influence of her grandmother from Nagasaki, Japan. This connection is often reflected in her design aesthetic, which blends cultural storytelling with modern silhouettes. She is currently the creative force behind her label, Salacious Fruit, where she emphasizes ecological and sustainable practices in every collection. Foxworth is committed to pushing fashion toward a greener future while staying true to her roots. She is merging artistry with responsibility in ways that resonate strongly with today’s conscious audience.
Belania Daley Runs Her Fashion Brand From Long Island
Belania Daley stood out this season as the only contestant to win Best Design twice, which showed her strong creative vision and execution. She is the founder and driving force behind BCD Planet, a streetwear brand that reflects her bold, contemporary aesthetic. With nearly a decade of technical design experience in the fashion industry, she brings both skill and innovation to her work. Beyond fashion, she is also an advocate for food awareness, exercise, and dyslexia. She uses her platform to inspire others and is currently based in Long Island, California.
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