Lifetime has revealed the identities of the 14 former Project Runway designers who will be competing on the fourth edition of Project Runway All Stars, which will premiere Thursday, October 30 at 9PM ET/PT.
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The returning Project Runway designers who will compete on the fourth season of Project Runway All Stars are fourth-season contestant Chris March; seventh-season contestant Jay Sario; tenth-season contestant Gunnar Deatherage, contestant Sonjia Williams, runner-up Fabio Costa and winner Dmitry Sholokhov; eleventh-season contestant Benjamin Mach, contestant Samantha Black, contestant Kate Pankoke -- who also appeared on Season 12 -- runner-up Patricia Michaels, and winner Michelle Lesniak; and twelfth-season contestant Helen Castillo, second runner-up Justin LeBlanc and runner-up Alexandria von Bromssen.
Like the first three seasons of Project Runway All Stars, the fourth edition will follow a similar format to Project Runway's regular editions and feature the 14 returning contestants competing to win the approval of a panel of fashion experts.
TV fashion correspondent and Marie Claire's senior fashion editor Zanna Roberts Rassi will return as Project Runway All Stars' mentor. Designers Isaac Mizrahi and Georgina Chapman will reprise their judging roles for the upcoming edition, while actress and fashion designer Alyssa Milano will host the show once again.
Celebrity guest judges for the next season of Project Runway All Stars will include Orange Is the New Black actress Laverne Cox, actress Debra Messing, Modern Family star Ariel Winter, actress Mira Sorvino, singer Nicole Scherzinger, So You Think You Can Dance host Cat Deeley, Snooki & Jwoww and former Jersey Shore stars Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi and Jenni "JWoww" Farley, photographer and former America's Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker, and QVC host Lisa Robertson.
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The following fashion designers will also appear on the series as guest judges: Dancing with the Stars contestant Betsey Johnson, Michael Bastian, Elie Tahari, The Celebrity Apprentice advisor Ivanka Trump, and former Project Runway judges Nina Garcia and Zac Posen.
The winner of Project Runway All Stars' fourth season will receive the chance to create a capsule collection with QVC and appear on the network's Spring Fashion Week programming; a fashion spread in Marie Claire and a one-year position as contributing editor for the magazine; a trip to a spa resort in Cancun, Mexico; product and staff for an entire year of runway shows; professional makeup artist services for his or her debut show; a cash prize of $150,000; and a complete custom sewing studio to launch the winning line.
The upcoming season will feature a surprise visit to London for a challenge featuring British royalty, a collaboration with Broadway's Wicked: The Musical and the first-ever wedding ceremony live on the runway.
Project Runway All Stars is produced by The Weinstein Company and Bunim/Murray Productions with Harvey Weinstein, Bob Weinstein, Meryl Poster, Barbara Schneeweiss, Jonathan Murray, Gil Goldschein, Rob Bagshaw, Rob Sharenow, Gena McCarthy, and David Hillman serving as executive producers.
Below is a listing of the returning designers and their prior Project Runway finish, as well as Lifetime's description of each:
- Samantha Black from Brooklyn, NY - Season 11, 7th place
Samantha has been working on her line Sammy B Designs and taking business classes at Macy's Business Program. Samantha was recently named "designer to watch" by both Essence and Ebony magazine.
- Helen Castillo from Union City, NJ - Season 12, 5th place
Helen has been struggling to make a name for herself, although she has had some success and celebrity interest. She designed a Grammy dress for Mary Lambert and mainly makes custom dresses for the everyday woman.
- Fabio Costa from New York, NY - Season 10, Runner-up
Fabio narrowly missed his chance to win his season but was so inspired that he and his design partner went straight to work creating their own androgynous and minimalist line called NotEqual. He is ready to come back to the runway and this time isn't walking away without the win.
- Gunnar Deatherage from Louisville, KY - Season 10, 8th place
Recently the creative director of NFocus Magazine, Gunnar spends his days styling, overseeing photo shoots and working on his designs at night for his line, Deatherage Designs.
- Justin LeBlanc from Raleigh, NC - Season 12, 3rd place
Justin returned to being a full-time professor after Season 12 and recently completed his spring/summer collection, which will debut at the end of August at the Contemporary Art Museum. And on top of all of that, he is also working on a Fall/Winter 2014/2015 collection with a theme based on his definition of love without boundaries.
- Michelle Lesniak from Portland, OR - Season 11, Winner
Michelle returned to Portland after her successful run on Runway and is currently in the process of opening her own boutique. Dedicated to local manufacturing and ethical business practices, she is undoubtedly playing a key role in shaping and growing the Portland fashion industry.
- Benjamin Mach from New York, NY and Sydney Australia - Season 11, 11th place
His made-to-order Benjamin Mach label, merging luxurious fabrics with label launched February 2014, merging luxurious fabrics with a modern design.
- Chris March from New York, NY - Season 4, 4th place
Chris continues to build his business, Chris March Designs, designing for stars like Madonna, Prince and Lady Gaga. He recently formed an exclusive partnership with Target to design costumes and wigs for Halloween season.
- Patricia Michaels from Albuquerque, NM - Season 11, Runner-up
Patricia returned to Albuquerque where she has been building a new studio and working on a ready-to-wear collection. On the side, she booked back-to-back fashion shows all over the country and is working on a short film with her son.
- Kate Pankoke from Chicago, IL - Season 11, 9th Place and Season 12, 6th place
Third time's a charm for Kate, who will stop at nothing to be the next big designer. She now has her own bridal line and a new collection launching in October. Her fascination with princesses has led her to design wedding dresses that enable every woman to feel like royalty on their special day.
- Jay Sario from New York, NY - Season 7, 4th place
After his original season, Jay moved from Hawaii to New York, where he currently works as a full-time visual merchandiser for Calvin Klein North America and freelances on the side. His recent passion is bridal wear.
- Dmitry Sholokhov from New York, NY - Season 10, Winner
After winning Season 10 of Runway, Dmitry created his own brand, Dmitry Sholokhov, and showed his collection in Moscow. He has an exclusive collection for Lord & Taylor. He believes that the greatest thing he took away from Runway was all of the accolades and critiques he received from the panel of expert judges.
- Alexandria von Bromssen from San Mateo, CA - Season 12, Runner-up
Last year, Alexandria returned to San Mateo, where she manages her own clothing line, owns a designer boutique and runs a sewing camp for kids called Camp Couture. She is most proud of designing a modern and edgy wedding dress made from recycled fabrics and vintage lace.
- Sonjia Williams from Woodside, NY - Season 10, 5th place
Project Runway really helped Sonjia understand more about the fashion business and what it takes to succeed. She currently has a collection with Anabelle NY, and her clothes are available in Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. She is also working on her own solo line, Something by Sonjia.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski