The Biggest Project Runway Stars And Their Real-Life Partners

Audiences everywhere couldn't get enough of Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, and their fellow fashion mavens when the smash-hit show "Project Runway" first debuted in 2004. The reality competition series focused on a group of talented designers as they set out to create timeless pieces and showcase their aesthetics while completing unique challenges. The top finalists are given the chance to showcase their collections at New York Fashion Week, with cattiness and compassion ensuing among the contenders.

Naturally, "Project Runway" became a massive global sensation and put its dynamic designers on the map, with fans becoming deeply invested in their careers even after the cameras stopped rolling. The love lives of many of these contestants have also garnered intrigue, as viewers enjoy seeing who these artists truly are behind closed doors.

With unforgettable contestants like Christian Siriano, Sean Kelly, and Erin Robertson, the series has helped kickstart the careers of some of the industry's most exciting talents. After more than two decades, "Project Runway" continues to attract new audiences, and fans can't get enough of the personal lives of the designers. 

Christian Siriano is arguably the most prolific winner of "Project Runway." He took the crown in Season 4 and released his eponymous fashion line in 2008. The fashion designer has collaborated with brands like Puma, Victoria's Secret, and Payless and has crafted custom looks for famous stars, like Ariana Grande, Zendaya, Lady Gaga, and Billy Porter. Time magazine named Siriano one of its 100 Most Influential People of 2018. He has since returned to his TV roots, serving as a mentor on "Project Runway" since the show's 17th season.

Siriano has been in a relationship with fellow designer Kyle Smith, the two first striking up a romance in 2018 following Siriano's separation from his husband Brad Walsh; the couple had been together for 11 years prior to their split. Siriano gushed about Smith while attending the season premiere of "Project Runway" in 2019. "It's great. You know, just, like, fun. Fun love," he told Us Weekly. When asked if wedding bells were in their future, Siriano said, "Oh, my God, not even thinking about it."

Smith runs a New York City clothing line, Future Lovers of Tomorrow, and has even stepped in to model Siriano's designs for a fitting in Paris when a model fell through. "When the model doesn't show up in Paris you improvise!" Siriano wrote in an Instagram post, the designer tagging Smith and declaring, "Looking chic in Lace. Très chic!"  

Michael Costello may have come in fourth place in the show's 8th season, but he quickly endeared himself to audiences and took the fashion world by storm with his eye-catching gowns and modern aesthetic. Costello has dressed a slew of celebrities, including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyoncé, and he has partnered with brands such as Essie and Inglot Cosmetics.

Openly gay, Costello was just a teenager when he entered an arranged marriage with a woman, the couple welcoming daughter Coco and son Giovanni before ultimately divorcing in 2006. "I was [married], but not legally like with a church and all that. I was married the Greek gypsy kind of way, a very traditional arranged marriage. My dad is Italian-Hungarian, my mom is Russian and Greek," he said to San Diego Gay & Lesbian News (via MEAWW).

"I speak Greek, Russian, Czech, Romanian. They all practice the same beliefs and religion. I never knock them for it, I just don't care for the whole arranged marriage thing. My son is going to be allowed to marry whoever he wants." Costello has been in a private, long-term relationship with entrepreneur Richard Galvin, the couple first going public with their romance in 2010. Costello and Galvin raised Giovanni while his ex-wife cared for Coco. The famed designer reconnected with his daughter in 2022 after 15 years of separation.

Season 18 contestant and top 4 finalist Sergio Guadarrama proposed to his partner, Kade Johnson, backstage at his final runway show during the season finale; the wholesome moment was captured on camera. "Oh my god, I'm so happy. My partner is the complete opposite of me. He loves drama and show and all this. I actually hate attention," he gushed to Christian Siriano in the "Project Runway After Show" (via Bravo). The couple has been together since 2015.

Guadarrama established the haute couture fashion brand Celestino Couture in 2005. He crafts the striking designs, and Johnson handles the business and marketing side of the line. Together, the couple has helped create memorable red carpet moments, including Billy Porter's showstopping 2019 Tony Awards ensemble. The fashion brand has also dressed celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Amber Rose.

The designer has since opened up about utilizing Johnson's skill set for their brand. "Kade and I started dating four years ago and it worked out that he's really good at doing the things that I'm not good at," Guadarrama told Fashionista about their creative dynamic and how they balance one another. "He took on a role of translating my inspiration and the stories that I want to tell into a visual world of photoshoots and social media." 

Seth Aaron Henderson came out victorious in the hit show's 7th season in 2010. He became the first "Project Runway" contestant to win the competition twice after nabbing the title in "All Stars" Season 3 in 2014. Henderson founded the fashion label Seth Aaron and has created custom ensembles for a slew of stars like Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, Camila Mendes, and Madelaine Petsch.

The Portland-based designer relocated to Los Angeles with his wife, Tina, and two children, Aaron and Megan, after "Project Runway." After winning the $100,000 prize money, Henderson revealed he would take his wife and children on a much-deserved vacation after missing out on spending summer with them due to filming the reality show.

His family has publicly supported his dreams and attended many of his shows, including Portland Fashion Week, with Henderson becoming synonymous with his punk-rock approach to style and design. "I'm a risk taker. I feel you have to push the envelope all the time, otherwise you're going to blend in," he said to the Seattle Times. "I came here to prove something to myself, and I did that. But I guess I also impressed a lot of people along the way." 

Beauty-pageant-winner-turned-fashion designer Anya Ayoung-Chee was triumphant during the show's 9th season in 2011, having previously launched her first collection, Pilar, prior to joining the show. Ayoung-Chee later founded her clothing brand Anya Ayoung Chee Resort and has collaborated with notable brands such as L'Oreal, Marie Claire, and HP, and has crafted looks for Trinidad's carnival. A native of Trinidad and Tobago, she incorporates her Caribbean culture into many of her bold and colorful designs.

Ayoung-Chee has been with her longtime partner and photographer, Wyatt Gallery, since 2006. The couple tied the knot in 2018 and welcomed son Kaïri and daughter Aya in 2018 and 2021, respectively. Gallery has published four photography books, and his snapshots have been featured in numerous collections, including the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Museum of the City of New York. Ayoung-Chee frequently pays tribute to Gallery on social media, even honoring him on his birthday in 2023.

"To the incredible father of my children, and the one with whom I continue to grow in ways I never anticipated, I pray our adventures never stop," she began in the heartfelt Instagram post to Gallery. "And our awareness and curiosity for one another deepens and evolves, as it has ever since the day we met. You deserve all the joy in the world my love! Happy Birthday!" 

Chloe Dao won the second season of "Project Runway" thanks to her stunning women's wear evening collection, winning a mentorship with Banana Republic and an Elle magazine spread. Dao runs the Chloe Dao Boutique in her hometown of Houston. In 2020, she shifted her design gears and created a line of masks combating COVID-19, donating thousands of the item to hospitals and medical practitioners.

"We donated 150 masks to Texas Children's Hospital, we donated 250 masks to Hope Clinic, a lot to Methodist Hospital, also St. Jude in Los Angeles," Dao shared with KHOU-11, telling the news outlet she had donated 3,000 masks to the Houston area and beyond. "A lot of them have autoimmune disease, cancer. A lot of them are elderly or caretakers who can't leave the house, a lot of really sad stories that we hear."

She married mortgage broker Ken Pursley in a private beachfront ceremony in the Bahamas in 2011, the designer naturally creating her own wedding day look. "I didn't want to over think my dress. I thought about my best assets and made a dress that showcased them," Dao said to CultureMap, revealing in the interview that she made the gown in just one day. "It was the perfect dress for me to make me feel beautiful and classic." 

Widely considered the first major "villain" in "Project Runway," Jeffrey Sebelia may not have hit it off with his fellow competitors, but he thoroughly impressed the judges with his punk-grunge aesthetic and daring designs. His fearless approach to fashion helped him win Season 3 in 2006, using the $100,000 prize money to help his brand Cosa Nostra grow. After closing the label, Sebelia was head designer of Fluxus in 2010 before he founded the kids' fashion line La Miniatura.

Sebelia has since become the visionary design director of Urbane & Gallant, a luxury menswear brand that features sharp tailoring and high-end fabrics. The company introduced their partnership with Sebelia on their Instagram account, writing: "Guided by a promise of superior construction and timeless style, Jeffrey leads with character and valor, ensuring every piece reflects ethical craftsmanship and socially conscious design."

He curated chic looks for Paris Men's Fashion Week in 2025 and keeps his fans up to date on his personal and professional achievements on social media. Sebelia is in a relationship with Kandace Reuter, a producer at Warner Bros. Animation, who has produced projects including "Creature Commandos" and "Aquaman: King of Atlantis." He had previously been in a relationship with Melanie Vesey; they share a son, Harrison. 

Season 6 winner Irina Shabayeva has kept busy since winning the competition series in 2009, creating fashion looks for countless celebrities like Selena Gomez, Carrie Underwood, Madonna, and Kelly Clarkson. She launched a lingerie collection in 2015 and has created fashion lines to help support women's cancer research, partnering with The Carol Galvin Foundation to raise funds.

Shabayeva serves as creative director for her fashion lines Irina Shabayeva Couture and Maison MJZ and has had her designs featured in both New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week. She returned for two seasons of "Project Runway All Stars" in 2013 and 2019, coming in third place in the latter installment behind Michelle Lesniak and Dmitry Sholokhov. Born in the Republic of Georgia, Shabayeva enjoys traveling the world and has ventured into fashion photography, often taking snaps of her designs and the exotic locations she visits.

She maintains an extremely private romantic life but announced her engagement to her boyfriend, Tom, on Instagram in May 2026. Her partner popped the question while they were sightseeing at the Grand Canyon. The touching video even features an appearance by Shabayeva's dog and the couple's initials carved into a tree.  

Gunnar Deatherage competed in the tenth season of "Project Runway" in 2012 and set himself apart from his fellow contestants with his historically inspired creations. Following his work in the TV series, Deatherage founded Gunnar Deatherage Patterns, a widely accessible digital pattern brand that continues to reach new consumers. He has gone on to dress some of the world's most recognizable stars, including Lady Gaga, Chappell Roan, and Shakira, with his storytelling coming through in his unique designs and unconventional silhouettes.

In 2026, Deatherage headed to Sin City and tied the knot with fellow creative Christopher Minafo; the couple is also planning a larger wedding in France. Their '70s-inspired ceremony was officiated by an Elvis Presley impersonator and attended by close friends. Deatherage shared photos of their nuptials on Instagram. "What an incredible heartwarming weekend filled with laughter, tears and putting it all on black! Our hearts are so full! We've got more to post from this weekend and the wedding festivities are only beginning so save your tears for champagne, France!" he wrote in the post. 

Minafo describes himself as a multimedia artist. Minafo has been included in prominent publications including Paper Magazine and Refinery29, and he has creatively collaborated with Deatherage, making custom looks for their mutual celebrity clientele. 

Fan-favorite Season 13 winner Sean Kelly is one of the most successful "Project Runway" stars and has remained a sought-after designer following his victory in 2014. He released his men's swimwear line Hercules shortly after his victory and has embraced an avant-garde approach to fashion. The New Zealand native is now based in New York and loves blending edgy patterns and high-end textures, serving as the design director for the high-end boutique Retrofête.

Kelly was such a standout on the show that beloved mentor Tim Gunn even singled the designer out when asked who his favorite contestant in the show's history was. "Oh, Sean Kelly of course, he's extremely talented and he's going to make it (big). And I'm not just bowing to New Zealand, Sean Kelly was my favourite contestant," Gunn told Stuff.

According to his social media, Kelly has been in a committed relationship with Marcelo Santiago, the pair frequently chronicling their globe-trotting adventures together on their respective social media accounts. Santiago wished Kelly a happy birthday in 2025, praising his partner in the sweet Instagram post. "Happy birthday to you macakis , my fiancé, my best friend, my coisas mais lindas. 4 years later and you still surprise me every day ... Te amo hoje e sempre [sic]."

Season 15 winner Erin Robertson launched fashion label An Erin after taking the crown in 2016, becoming known for her bold and whimsical designs that featured intricate details and embellishments. In 2025, Robertson married Pickle Pop CEO Steph McCaffrey at the stunning Rosecliff Mansion in Newport, Rhode Island. The pair co-founded the Los Angeles-based sports venue.

"It sounds cheesy, but we just wanted [the wedding] to be [about] love, new beginnings, and time spent with the people you care about," Robertson told ELLE of their New Year's Eve nuptials, which were Gilded Age-inspired and included 240 guests. "The most important thing was for our guests to have a fun night. We wanted it to feel like a New Year's Eve party, but celebrating us."

Though sick with pneumonia, the "Project Runway" superstar designed their wedding gowns, staying up until 3 A.M. the night before their big day to finish the dresses. McCaffrey formerly played professional soccer for the Boston Breakers and Chicago Red Stars before she relocated to London to play forward for the Leyton Orient. The couple splits their time between the U.K. and the United States and continues pursuing their creative passions. 

Filipino fashion designer Veejay Floresca made "Project Runway" history when she became the first trans person to win the competition in Season 21 in 2025, paying homage to her heritage in her stunning designs. Floresca's victory served as a major inspiration to audiences and designers everywhere, and she received a feature in Elle magazine, a CFDA mentorship, and a $200,000 cash prize toward her eponymous fashion line. After winning "Project Runway," Floresca also showcased a collection at New York Fashion Week in 2026.

"I'm an immigrant, I'm a trans woman, a trans woman of color, and people need to see that we are not enemies," she said to ELLE following her monumental win. "We are just normal people with dreams and aspirations, and I hope that my story can change people's perspective. For anyone struggling, I hope that you hear my story and know: You've got this."

In August 2026, Floresca married her longtime partner Ryan (whose full name she keeps private) in an intimate ceremony in Brooklyn. The talented designer documented her multiple wedding looks on social media, all of which she designed herself. "I have always envisioned myself wearing a beautiful, timeless, and classic gown on my wedding day," she wrote on Instagram, featuring a carousel of outfits from her special day.