Who is Octavio Aguilar? 'Project Runway' star dressed Eryka Badu and Janet Jackson

Octavio Aguilar, 42, is all set to make his big debut on Bravo's hit show 'Project Runway' Season 19
Octavio Aguilar in 'Project Runway' Season 19 (Bravo)
Octavio Aguilar in 'Project Runway' Season 19 (Bravo)

Octavio Aguilar, 42, is all set to make his big debut on Bravo's hit show 'Project Runway' Season 19. The show features 16 budding designers from across the United States and abroad, each ready to prove they have what it takes to showcase their collection at New York Fashion Week and be the next great name in fashion. Each 90-minute episode tests the contestants’ creativity and technique with challenges such as producing a “hauntingly” chic look, to an unconventional cocktail dress! 

'Project Runway' Season 19 features editor-in-chief of Elle Magazine Nina Garcia, former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue and co-host of 'The Talk' Elaine Welteroth and celebrity designer Brandon Maxwell along with Christian Siriano donning the hats of judges and mentor respectively. While we eagerly wait for the show's premiere let's take a closer look at Octavio and his growing popularity in the fashion industry.

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Who is Octavio Aguilar?

Octavio Aguilar is a 42-year-old Puerto Rican American fashion designer. He was raised by a single mother in New Jersey. Octavio's interest in fashion and designing was set off at a pretty early age. At the age of 12, he was presented with his first sewing machine. The enterprising tween used it to create '90s clubwear. His venture turned out to be a smashing success leading him to open up his first shop in his hometown. 

Despite attending the prestigious Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale for a year, he considers himself a self-taught designer. Octavio took a break from his fashion design world and turned his attention to interior designing. After dabbling in the interior design world for ten years, Octavio was ready to make his big comeback into the fashion world. He launched his own design label called Dope Tavio. The label specializes in a genderless avant-garde street-wear line.

His designs have been featured in many fashion editorials and music videos, and they have been seen on artists like Eryka Badu, Janet Jackson, and his muse, Sharaya J Octavio is now represented by Patricia Field in New York at the ARTFASHION gallery. His goal is to inspire people to chase their dreams at any age.

'Project Runway' Season 19 premieres on Thursday, October 14, at 9 pm ET/PT.

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