Ever since its premiere in 2004, the reality show Project Runway has been a fashionista favorite. Each season, a group of fashion designers competes against each other in challenges to ultimately show at New York Fashion Week and win it all.
More than 20 seasons later, the show is still busy showcasing talent, including some notable Latinxs. Alongside longtime judge Nina Garcia and guest judges like Joan Smalls, Zoe Saldaña, Fernando Garcia, and Sofia Vergara, the series has highlighted several talented Latinx designers. From around 40 Latinx participants over the course of Project Runway’s history repping countries all over Latin America, here are a handful of stylish standouts you should know.
Daniel Franco
Season 1 of Project Runway introduced us to Salvadoran and Peruvian Daniel Franco. Despite making a cool coat out of butcher paper, trash bags, and aluminum foil for the unconventional materials challenge, he was eliminated in the first episode. But Daniel still got his chance to show the world who he is. Returning on season 2 by an invitation by mentor Tim Gunn, the Latino redeemed himself by showing more work, and more importantly, showing that fashion doesn’t have to be catty. During a group design challenge, he suggested he himself should be eliminated instead of his peers, showing integrity. Daniel Franco went on to compete on his third installment of Project Runway in 2016, on the fifth season of Project Runway All Stars.
Nick Verreos
One of the faces most commonly associated with Project Runway is a Latino one. We first met Panamanian and Greek fashion designer Nick Verreos in Season 2. One of his standout moments on the show is when he won a challenge where he created a look for the iconic doll Barbie that was then sold to the public. Nick went on to work with Project Runway shows in different roles, including guest judge, audition judge, mentor, and more. In addition to working as a red carpet commentator, FIDM instructor, and author, Nick Verreos also won an Emmy Award in 2024 for co-hosting the WeHo Pride Live Telecast.
Jesus and Antonio Estrada
Why have one dramatic Latinx fashion designer on a reality TV show when you can have two?! Meet designers and twins, Jesus and Antonio Estrada from Mexico. Jesus first competed on Project Runway on Season 7, along with Puerto Rican Maya Luz and Afro-Dominican Emilio Sosa. It wasn’t until Season 21 that we got to see double with Jesus competing against brother Antonio, as well as Afro-Cuban and Jamaican Belania Daley and Dominican Angelo Rosa. Whether it was glamorous looks, their fierce loyalty to each other, or the Latinx drama they brought to the show, we were tuned in.
Emilio Sosa
You should also know Afro-Dominican Emilio Sosa. Participating in the same season as Jesus Estrada and Maya Luz, he placed first runner-up, having shown his collection at the coveted New York Fashion Week. In a moment that made Project Runway history, his show featured all models of color. Emilio was also first-runner-up for the sixth season of Project Runway All Stars. In addition to his high standing on the show, Emilio is also a six-time Tony Award nominee for Best Costume Design for a Play; has designed for major celebs including Mariah Carey, Spike Lee, Celine Dion, and Diana Ross; and is the first designer of color to design for the iconic Radio City Music Hall Rockettes.
Mondo Guerra
Mondo Guerra is another Latinx Project Runway standout. In addition to unique, top-tier work as a designer, he is an inspiration as a person. The Chicano opened up about how difficult it was being an artsy kid, how his lifestyle differed from Mexican Catholic expectations, and how he felt his work was loved while he wasn’t. He used a pattern challenge to also share his HIV positive status, effectively using his art to free himself and others. He competed against fellow Latinxs Valerie Mayen and Carlos Casanova, Mondo placing first runner-up in Season 8 after presenting a Mexican-inspired runway show at New York Fashion Week. Mondo also won the first season of Project Runway All Stars.
Ashley Nell Tipton
Fashion is for everybody, because every body wears clothes. In Season 14, Chicana designer Ashley Nell Tipton proved that point, designing fun, vibrant clothing while repping for the plus-sized community. The Chicana became the first Latina to win Project Runway after presenting a show at New York Fashion Week inspired by 1950s Mexico City. Making even more history, her presentation was the first time a Project Runway show featured only plus-sized models.
Shantall Lacayo
Shantall Lacayo won Season 19, the first woman born in Latin America to do so. The Nica competed against Puerto Rican Octavio Aguilar, Haitian Prajjé Oscar Jean-Baptiste, and Mexican Coral Castillo (who was one of the season’s runner-ups). Prior to that, in 2010, she competed on the first season of Project Runway Latin America, where she placed first runner-up.
