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'Project Runway': Where are the winners of all the previous seasons now and what are they up to?

Season 18 is underway. Meanwhile, here's a look at the previous season winners who have gone on to do well for themselves as well as the fashion industry

BY PRARTHNA SARKAR

UPDATED JAN 31, 2020

Brandon Maxwell, Elaine Welteroth, Dan Cutforth, Jane Lipsitz, Karlie Kloss, Christian Siriano and Nina Garcia (Getty Images)

'Project Runway' is in its 18th season and over the years has produced some of the most talented designers. Most of them have gone on to do well for themselves as well as the fashion industry.

Season 1 winner: Jay McCarroll

Project Runway designer Jay McCarroll appears on the runway at the Project Runway Fall 2005 show during the Olympus Fashion Week at Bryant Park on February 4, 2005, in New York City (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images)

Even though he wasn't able to win a single challenge throughout the season, the finale was totally his show. Jay stayed busy and in the spotlight throughout but it had a lot to do with filmmaking — he made a documentary on the process of putting together the 2006 New York Fashion week collection — and his participation in VH1's 'Celebrity Fit Club,' Insider reported.

Season 2 winner: Chloe Dao

Designer Chloe Dao speaks on the runway at the Project Runway Fall 2006 fashion show during Olympus Fashion Week at Bryant Park February 10, 2006, in New York City (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

She was quite the star. Soon after winning the show, Chloe moved to Houston where she ran her already-established boutique for a couple of years before she took on the role of producer-judge on 'Project Runway' Vietnam. Chloe is also a philanthropist and actively supports the work done by Susan G Komen Foundation and the Salvation Army of Houston.

Season 3 winner: Jeffrey Sebelia

Designer Jeffrey Sebelia speaks on the runway at the Project Runway Spring 2007 - Jeffrey Sebelia fashion show during Olympus Fashion Week in the Promenade in Bryant Park on September 15, 2006, in New York City (Photo by Mark Mainz/Getty Images For IMG)

Even though he impressed with his designs, Jeffrey's post-win career in fashion has been one with ups and downs. Immediately after 'Project Runway' success, he got offered to design costumes for the live-action movie 'Bratz' (2007). It could have been a good break for him had he not addressed the dolls (in the film) as "s****y." He joined a few clothing brands before participating in 'Project Runway: All-Stars'.

Season 4 winner: Christian Siriano

Designer Christian Siriano walks the runway at Christian Siriano - Runway during New York Fashion Week: The Shows on September 8, 2018, in New York City (Photo by Fernanda Calfat/Getty Images)

Easily the most successful designer of all seasons, Christian was just 22 when he won over 'Project Runway' judges with his work. Ever since there's been no looking back for him. He has dressed a string of celebrities — Kim Kardashian, Gigi Hadid, Rihanna, Michelle Obama, and more — and a part of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (a prestigious organization and being a part of it automatically adds value to a fashion designer's resume). He now mentors designers in the ongoing season.

Season 5 winner: Leanne Marshall

Leanne Marshall attends the Indonesian Diversity - Front Row during New York Fashion Week: The Shows at Industria Studios on September 7, 2018, in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images for Indonesian Diversity)

Commercially successful and a regular at New York Fashion Week, Leanne has been responsible for designing for top-notch celebrities as well. Ariana Grande, Solange, Jackie Cruz are some of the stars who have proudly flaunted her flowy silhouettes.

Season 6 winner: Irina Shabayeva

Irina Shabayeva attends the Irina Shabayeva Spring 2019 fashion show during New York Fashion Week at The Stewart Hotel on September 8, 2018, in New York City. (Photo by Jennifer Graylock/Getty Images for Irina Shabyeva)

Ever since her win, she has focused on establishing her own line and has gone on to show across the world. However, for the last nine years, her focus has been bridalwear.

Season 7 winner: Seth Aaron Henderson

Designer and Project Runway winner, Seth Aaron Henderson attends the global launch of eforea: spa at Hilton at Hilton Short Hills on October 21, 2010, in Short Hills, New Jersey. (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Hilton)

Him winning both 'Project Runway' and 'Project Runway: All-Stars' (Season 3) was proof that he was going to go a long way. This designer uses organic fabric and plastic bottles to put together his outfits.

Season 8 winner: Gretchen Jones

Designer Gretchen Jones speaks on the Project Runway Spring 2011 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at The Theater at Lincoln Center on September 9, 2010, in New York City. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for IMG)

She is now employed as a fashion director with a brand. Gretchen had started a fashion label but closed it a few years later.

Season 9 winner: Anya Ayoung-Chee

Designer Anya Ayoung-Chee attends the "Under The Gunn" Finale Fashion Show at Los Angeles Theatre on December 16, 2013, in Los Angeles, California (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Her's was an inspirational story. She had taken up sowing just a couple of months before the competition began and had nothing ready when mentor Tim Gunn visited her home. But, she took home the title. Amazing, isn't it? She now runs a boutique in Trinidad and Tobago.

Season 10 winner: Dmitry Sholokhov

Designer Dmitry Sholokhov poses on the runway at the Spring 2013 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week on September 7, 2012, in New York City (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

He won both 'Project Runway' and 'Project Runway: All-Stars.' However, he hasn't gone on to make a massive name for himself, globally. Dmitry continues to take private commissions.

Season 11 winner: Michelle Lesniak Franklin

She continues to design in her hometown, Portland, Oregano.

Season 12 winner: Dom Streater

Project Runway winner Dom Streater attends the Project Runway All Stars Season 3 premiere party at the Hudson Hotel on October 22, 2013, in New York City (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images for The Weinstein Company)

Currently, Dom lives in Philadelphia where she creates graphic prints (for which she was known famously) for T-shirts and scarves.

Season 13 winner: Sean Kelly

Designer Sean Kelly walks the runway at the Project Runway fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring 2015 at The Theatre at Lincoln Center on September 5, 2014, in New York City (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

He lives and designs in New York. He made a name for himself with his exquisite white dress that changed into multiple colors in the rain.

Season 14 winner: Ashley Nell Tipton

Designer Ashley Nell Tipton speaks onstage during theCURVYcon Powered By Dia&Co on September 8, 2018, in New York City (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images theCURVYcon)

Ashley made it a point that her designs were targeted at plus-size women. After her win, she signed a contract with JC Penney to work for them and be their face as well. Also, in the last few years, she has designed plus-size patterns, jewelry and eyewear line.

Season 15 winner: Erin Robertson

Erin works out of Massachusetts, where she designs and is engaged in a few creative works. However, her works have been featured in international magazines such as Marie Claire, Teen Vogue and more.

Season 16 winner: Kentaro Kameyama

Kentaro Kameyama attends the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Los Angeles at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 28, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for GLAAD)

Kentaro has been employed as a teacher and chairman at the Fashion School of Los Angeles. Previously, he has shown at LA and Paris fashion weeks.

Season 17 winner: Sebastian Grey

Lara Alcantara and Jhoan Sebastian Grey attend the relaunch of New York lifestyle magazine AVENUE at Hudson Yards on January 22, 2020, in New York City (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for AVENUE)

He is currently invested in tutorials 'Fashion Sewing' of winning designs that will be shown via Bluprint. 'Fashion Sewing' on Bluprint teaches people how to take the ideas from Project Runway and bring them into reality. "We want to teach viewers that have a passion for fashion who have been following the show all these years and want to learn how to conceptualize, sew like a professional, put in high-end details, and generally how to act like a designer," he told Parade.

Catch all the new episodes of 'Project Runway' every Thursday on Bravo.