Just in time for New York Fashion Week, Project Runway has crowned its winner for season 22.
During the Thursday, September 10, finale of Freeform’s hit reality show, judges Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Law Roach and guest judge Fausto Puglisi agreed that Jude Mikulenak was the top fashion designer of the season.
“The winner not only showed us stunning clothes throughout the competition, but we saw them grow as a designer,” Heidi, 53, shared during the season finale. “Their finale collection brought beauty, was cohesive and in the end, we’re investing in this designer’s future.”
As soon as the winner was announced, Jude, 23 — who beat fellow finalists Joseph McRae, Anna Molinari and Bi Pham — couldn’t hide his excitement.
“I’m the youngest person in the competition. In the beginning, I felt like I had a lot to prove,” he shared. “But I came here and did the best work that I could. Now I have the most wins out of the final four. I believe in myself. I got this.”
As the winner of season 22, the Brooklyn-based designer walked away with a $200,000 cash prize, six months of representation with Agentry PR, a spread in Elle magazine and a mentorship with CFDA.
“Right now, I’m a kid that makes clothes in his bedroom,” Jude shared with the judges. “But I have so much fire in me and pour some gasoline on the fire because I can promise you that I will be making clothes until the day I die.”
As part of finale week, each contestant had one week and a $7,500 budget to design five eye-catching looks.
After impressing the judges with his classic tailoring and interest in both menswear and womenswear, Jude once again impressed fashion lovers with his finale collection.
“You were trying to prove to us that you can be a tailor, but you can still have a feminine touch, which you undeniably do,” Nina, 61, shared. “So few people know how to do that. You have the skill and the eye and the taste that could deliver great clothes.”
Law, 48, added, “This is your very first collection and to be able to tailor the way you tailor at 23 is incredible…. The work and craftsmanship is undeniable.”
Before the finale came to an end, mentor Christian Siriano — who made history as the youngest winner of the show in 2008 — couldn’t help but celebrate seeing how far the winner came from his very first challenge with 21 other designers.
“I couldn’t get much out of you at the beginning,” Christian, 40, shared. “But in the end, I think we did. You did amazing. I’m so proud.”
Catch up on the entire season of Project Runway by streaming season 22 now on Hulu and Disney+.
