Who is Sabrina Spanta? Tragic tale of 'Project Runway' star who fled Afghan war
'Project Runway' is back with an all-new Season 19! The wildly popular Bravo show features 16 budding designers across the globe, each ready to prove they have what it takes to showcase their collection at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) 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!
One of the 16 designers that will be competing in 'Project Runway' Season 19 for a chance to not only showcase her collection at NYFW but also take home the cash prize of $250,000 is Sabrina Spanta. The budding designer needs to impress the judges Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell, and mentor Christian Siriano, in order to win the competition. Ahead of Sabrina's big debut on 'Project Runway', let's take a closer look at her life and learn more about her.
RELATED ARTICLES
Who is Sabrina Spanta?
Sabrina Spanta is a 29-year-old fashion designer from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The young designer has faced several hardships early on in her life. When the Afghan war broke out, the Spanta family fled the country and took shelter at a refugee camp in Pakistan. Unfortunately, Sabrina lost her mother during the journey. In 2000, the designer and her siblings were adopted by her great aunt who lived in the United States. The designer considers her aunt as her "true mother."
Sabrina's love for designing clothes came from watching her father work as a tailor in Afghanistan. In 2013, she created her self-titled line, Sanowber, and has received recognition at numerous events and publications such as Charleston Fashion Week, St. Louis Fashion Week, CNN News, and more. She draws inspiration from modern architecture for the silhouettes and shapes of the garments she creates. Sabrina’s passion for patterns and embroidery comes from her various cultural experiences. Her recent creation, X-Pant was inspired by her rich Afghani heritage.
In an Instagram post, she explained the inspiration behind the pants with, "BEYOND THE X-PANT Deeply inspired by my Afghani roots, the X-pant originated from the traditional attire of Afghani men called “Peran Tumban”. This men’s garment paired with the Afghani turban, for over 40 years, has become a symbol of power, masculinity, and exclusivity. The X-Pant is a reconfigured version of the peran tumban that aims to redirect the power back to women. The X-Pant is a symbol of liberation, elegance, and versatility. #SheWearsThePants."
The recent news of Taliban overthrowing the Afghani government left the whole world shocked, and Sabrina was no exception. In another post, she detailed out the hardships and challenges that lay ahead for the Afghani womenunder the Taliban regime. "#FREEAFGHANWOMEN 25 years ago I was in the exact position that thousands of Afghan women are in today. I fled the War in Afghanistan with my family to a refugee camp in Pakistan. It has become my life's mission to create opportunity in the face of hopelessness for the women of Afghanistan, and to pay my experiences forward," she shared. "When I went into my interview with Local 4, I placed emphasis on the inequality women are facing currently in Afghanistan. I believe that the only way to help is to get women the education that they deserve. To do your part, visit the link in our bio.
Knowledge is power. Action is necessary. Afghan lives matter. Women deserve basic human rights," Sabrina highlighted.
Despite her many personal struggles, Sabrina is extremely excited and proud about being a part of 'Project Runway'. "Never in my whole life did I imagine I’d be on Project Runway alongside such talented designers. It has been the best roller coaster ride and I am so thankful for @bravotv and @projectrunway. I am so fortunate to be the first Afghan woman on the show, as well as to just have this opportunity at all. I hope that I can inspire little girls and boys around the world to aspire towards their dreams, just I have gotten the ability to. I can’t wait for you all to see it. Anything is possible. #ProjectRunway #bravotv #entertainmenttonight," the designer wrote.
We can't wait to watch Sabrina's journey on the show and learn more about her life.
'Project Runway' Season 19 premieres on Thursday, October 14, at 9 pm ET/PT.
