It's one of the longest-running and best-loved reality competitions on TV. And since its debut
in 2004, "Project Runway" has introduced fans to memorable contestants and jaw-dropping fashion.
But as most of us would likely admit, we all have our favorite contestants — some of whom
hit it big, and others whose careers seem to have faded into the ether.
And still, there are a select few who won the hearts of fans and have since met a tragic end.
While trends may- come and go, the legacy of each of these designers will likely become a timeless
one. On top of being incredibly entertaining personalities on the show, these stars also
brought their own unique vision to fashion — inspiring countless others to do the same.
"For me, fashion is communication. It's working with a person and dialoguing with them
and that's when I knew this was my life work."
As well-known for serving up dramatic looks on the runway as she was for stirring up drama
in the workroom, Season 1 alum Wendy Pepper was one of the show's first stand-out stars.
During her run, Pepper scored a few memorable wins, including a dress
Nancy O'Dell wore for the 2005 Grammys and a dress that was sold by Banana Republic.
Her designs pushed her through to the finals, but she ultimately placed third.
Pepper died in 2017 at the age of 53 of complications from cancer.
Andy Cohen paid tribute to the legacy she left on the show, tweeting:
"RIP one of the first of many great characters to appear on 'Project Runway.'
[Wendy] was a big reason for the first season’s success."
"I'm here. I'm still here, so, it's just — it's my moment."
Renowned for creating come-hither looks that celebrated the female figure,
designer Mychael Knight pushed all the boundaries. Though he ultimately landed
in fourth place on the show, his Season 3 journey saw him winning
"fan-favorite" — likely due to his endearing personality and eye-catching aesthetic.
In 2017, Knight died at age 39. His close friend
Jerris Madison announced his death via Obvious, recalling,
"Mychael Knight was my friend, my brother,
and a voice of reason everyone wants in their corner. […] He was a true
Southern Gentleman. […] He was passionate, outspoken, direct, kind, and unapologetic."
On Instagram, R&B icon Ciara shared her memories of Knight, posting:
"He was the sweetest soul and so passionate about his work. He custom made both of my
prom dresses and made me feel beautiful! He was always there for me when I called."
Meanwhile, Andy Cohen also paid tribute to Knight, tweeting,
"He was the sweetest guy, full of life, ambition & talent."
"I've done so many things since I was on 'Project Runway,' it's hard to remember them all."
Easily one of the most beloved contestants to have ever appeared on the show, Chris
March quickly became a fan favorite thanks to his innovative creations.
March made it to fourth place on Season 4, but his personality and on-screen charisma earned him
his very own Bravo series, "Mad Fashion." His outrageous designs may have been too
"costumey" for "Project Runway" judges, but it was his eye for the theatrical
that put him on speed-dial for stars like Madonna, Beyoncé, and Lady Gaga.
But in 2019, TMZ shocked fans with the news that March had died of a heart attack at the age of 56.
Designer Christian Siriano — who won season 4 and collaborated with March on one of
the show's best-loved designs — posted a tribute to his former co-star, tweeting,
"Chris, you brought so much beauty into this world and will truly be missed.
It was an honor to share a very special experience with you."
"I like something that is moveable. You can dance in the club." "Sparkly."
In a season that Today dubbed "Project Runaway" for the number of contestants who quit the show,
Season 10 competitor Kooan Kosuke became the second designer to voluntarily depart.
During his short time on the show, he repeatedly surprised the judges with his eccentric ideas, but
his designs didn't always land well. Ultimately, he decided the show wasn't for him, declaring,
"I thought about it for three days, and I think I should go."
Kooan continued to thrive in New York, selling his quirky collection of accessories online
and launching a pop-up store in 2018. But by 2020, a close friend of the 38-year-old posted
on Kooan's Instagram that the designer had died of a viral inflammation of the brain.
Kooan reportedly had a friend by his side when he died, as well as
international friends and family as close as they could be during the pandemic, courtesy of Zoom.