Project Runway crowned Dmitry Sholokhov its tenth-season winner during last night's finale broadcast of the Lifetime fashion design competition.
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"This is the biggest day of my life. I just won Project Runway and I have no idea how the f--k I made it to this point, but I just feel really, really fortunate. I'm just beyond happy and proud," Dmitry said after his victory was announced.
"This whole experience, it definitely made me a better designer, so it was a life-changing experience, and it was totally worth it. I mean I just won Project Runway, hello!"
"I am so excited for the future and I can not even imagine what I am going to do next, but it's going to be something big."
Project Runway's tenth-season finale broadcast began with the competition's four remaining finalists -- Dmitry, Fabio Costa, Melissa Fleis, and Christopher Palu -- preparing to present collections at New York Fashion Week, which was held in September.
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After the runway shows were over, the finalists then gathered for their final judging panel, where they were judged by regular panel members Heidi Klum, Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, as well as special guest judge Jennifer Hudson.
As the competition's winner, Dmitry, a 33-year-old from Novopolotsk, Belarus who currently resides in New York, NY, receives $100,000 to launch his own clothing line, a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine, a 2013 Lexus GS 350, a $50,000 technology suite by HP and Intel, and the opportunity to design and sell an exclusive collection at Lord & Taylor.
Dmitry's model, Katt Vogel, will also appear in his Marie Claire editorial feature and receive a $25,000 cash prize.
Dmitry defeated Fabio, a 29-year-old from Belo Horizonte, Brazil who currently resides in Brooklyn, NY.
While he was gracious in defeat, Fabio took the news of his loss hard.
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"I'm extremely proud of myself, that's how I feel right now. I'm strong enough to raise my head and understand that this has been a blessing. But I'm sad," he said as he broke into tears.
"I'm sad that my mother is sad. I don't feel that I let her down, it just breaks my heart. I wanted to win this so I could literally pay her bills and pay my bills. [But] I got my wish, I wanted a fashion show -- you know, the best one out there."
Melissa, a 31-year-old from Rogers City, MI who currently resides in San Francisco, CA, finished in third place.
"Being on Project Runway, you want to win -- that's the only reason I'm upset," Melissa said after learned her fate. "Otherwise, I got to show at New York Fashion Week and I love my collection, I think that's a win-win."
"I really came in here with a really clear vision of who I am, and I think this is the ultimate dream come true and I think it's that first step toward the next phase of my life."
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Christopher, a 24-year-old from Brooklyn, NY who currently resides in Massapequa, NY, finished in fourth place.
"I'm really proud of what I did, and I wouldn't take it back for anything. Of course I'm bummed, I would have liked if I won, doh!" he said afterward.
"This experience has been amazing. I can't walk away unhappy. Everything happens for a reason. Hopefully an opportunity opens up, and you just have to think positive."
Later, Christopher also voiced his displeasure with Dmitry's victory over Fabio.
"If Fabio doesn't win, I'm going to be really upset," he told Melissa prior to the judges' announcement that Dmitry had won the competition.
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"I demand a recount!" he added afterward.
About The Author: Steven Rogers