Let’s be real for a second. Winning Project Runway is hard, but winning All Stars is a completely different beast. You aren't just competing against talented amateurs anymore; you’re in a room with people who have already built brands, dressed celebrities, and survived the grueling madness of a TV workroom once before. It’s the "best of the best" scenario that usually ends in tears, sewing machine malfunctions, and at least one person questioning their entire career.
When we talk about project runway all stars winners, we’re looking at a very specific elite group. These designers didn't just "make it work"—they dominated. But the real tea is what happened once the confetti was swept up and the Marie Claire editorial spread hit the stands. Some used the title to build massive retail empires, while others basically vanished into the high-end custom world where they only dress the 1%.
The Redemption of Mondo Guerra
If you watched Season 8 of the original show, you probably remember the absolute riots in the streets when Mondo Guerra lost to Gretchen Jones. It felt personal. So, when the first season of All Stars kicked off in 2012, the pressure on Mondo was suffocating. Honestly, it felt like the show was designed specifically to give him the crown he should’ve had the first time.
Mondo didn't disappoint. He stayed true to his bold, geometric, and deeply personal aesthetic, eventually beating out Michael Costello and Austin Scarlett. Since then, he hasn't just been "that guy from TV." He’s become a massive advocate for HIV awareness, using his platform to humanize the conversation around the virus. He’s designed everything from limited-edition Crocs to eyewear, proving that he was never just a one-hit-wonder of the "resort wear" challenge.
Anthony Ryan Auld and the "Cancer Survivor" Narrative
Season 2 gave us Anthony Ryan Auld. He was always the "nice guy" with a sharp eye, but on All Stars, his focus was laser-like. He won a record-breaking number of challenges during his season. It was almost a blowout.
The interesting thing about Anthony Ryan is that he didn't just stay in the New York fashion bubble. He moved back to the South, opened his boutique The Chemist Shop, and leaned into his roots. He’s been very open about his battle with cancer and how that "live for today" mentality fuels his design process. It’s a reminder that for many of these project runway all stars winners, the win was more about personal validation than just getting a check.
📖 Related: Where Can I Watch the New iCarly for Free Without Getting Scammed
The Era of the Double Winners: Seth Aaron and Dmitry
Then things got spicy. In Season 3 and Season 4, the show crowned designers who had already won their original seasons. Talk about a flex.
- Seth Aaron Henderson (Season 3 Winner): Seth Aaron is basically the punk-rock architect of the franchise. He won Season 7 of the main show and then came back to prove it wasn't a fluke. He’s since worked extensively in sustainable fashion and 3D-printed footwear. He’s one of the few who consistently balances the "edgy" look with actual commercial viability.
- Dmitry Sholokhov (Season 4 Winner): Dmitry is the king of "polished." His designs always look like they cost $10,000. He’s a two-time winner who famously said he felt like he had to win the second time to protect his reputation. Today, he’s still the darling of the private client world, creating "wearable art" for people who find Dior a bit too mainstream.
Breaking Barriers: Dom Streater and Anthony Williams
Dom Streater (Season 5) was a breath of fresh air. She was the first female winner of All Stars, and she did it with prints that would make your head spin—in a good way. She’s since built a brand in Philadelphia that focuses on slow fashion and original textile design. She didn't chase the fast-fashion dragon, which is probably why her brand still feels authentic in 2026.
And then there’s Anthony Williams (now Anthony Elle). Season 6 was his moment. He brought the "pageant" energy, the sass, and a level of construction that left the judges speechless. He made history as the first African-American male to win an All Stars season. What’s he doing now? He’s a total multi-hyphenate. He transitioned into TV hosting (check out Luxe for Less on HGTV) and costume design. He realized early on that being a "designer" in the 2020s means being a personality, too.
The Final Global Champion: Michelle Lesniak
The series "ended" its All Stars run with Season 7, which was a "World Champion" edition. They brought in winners from the US, Australia, Brazil, and the UK. It was chaotic. Michelle Lesniak, the self-taught "rule-breaker" from Portland, took home the final title.
💡 You might also like: Why Avril Lavigne’s Here’s to Never Growing Up is the Middle Finger to Adulthood We Still Need
Michelle is a bit of a legend because she doesn't follow the typical "fashionista" playbook. She stayed in Portland. She kept her production small. She’s been very vocal about the toll the industry takes on mental health and creativity. Her win was a win for the outsiders.
Why Some Winners "Disappear"
You might look at this list of project runway all stars winners and wonder why you don't see their names on the tags at Target every day. Here’s the reality: the fashion industry is brutal.
- Manufacturing Costs: Making high-end clothes is expensive. Even a $100,000 prize doesn't go far when you’re trying to source silk and pay fair wages in New York.
- The "Reality TV" Stigma: For a long time, the high-fashion elite looked down on "Project Runway designers." It took years for people like Christian Siriano to break that ceiling.
- Burnout: Imagine being told to make a gown out of duct tape in 10 hours. Now do that for six weeks straight while being filmed. A lot of winners take their prize money and go "off-grid" for a while just to remember why they liked sewing in the first place.
Actionable Insights for Fashion Obsessives
If you’re following the careers of these winners or trying to break into the industry yourself, here are some takeaways that actually matter:
- Diversification is Key: Look at Anthony Elle. He didn't just stay in the sewing room; he went into interior design and hosting. If you want to survive as a creative, you have to be able to apply your "eye" to different mediums.
- Niche Over Mass: Designers like Dom Streater and Michelle Lesniak prove that you don't need to be in every department store to be successful. Owning a small, loyal niche is often more profitable and less stressful than trying to go "big."
- The Power of Storytelling: Every one of these winners had a narrative. Mondo had his advocacy, Seth Aaron had his sustainability. People don't just buy clothes; they buy the person behind the clothes.
Whether you're a fan of the drama or a student of design, the legacy of these winners isn't just about the clothes that walked down the runway. It's about how they navigated the weird, blurry line between reality TV fame and the "real" fashion world. Some made it, some pivoted, but all of them left a mark on the workroom floor.
If you're looking to support these designers, your best bet is to check their personal websites or Instagrams directly. Most of them have moved away from major retail partnerships to focus on direct-to-consumer drops or custom commissions. In the 2026 landscape, that's where the real innovation is happening anyway.
✨ Don't miss: Why Orange Is the New Black Season 2 Remains the Gold Standard for TV Villains
Next Steps: You can research the specific current collections of Dom Streater or Mondo Guerra to see how their aesthetics have evolved since their wins. Look for their "slow fashion" initiatives, as many winners have transitioned into more sustainable production models.