"Stars of Project Runway" At Austin Fashion Week

Photo: Anthony Ryan Auld's Twitter

Gunnar Deatherage, Michelle Lesniak, Amanda Valentine, Jeffrey Sebelia, Melissa Fleis, Anthony Ryan Auld, Daniel Esquivel, Korto Momolu and Samantha Plasencia all showed their latest designs last week in Austin.

Click here to see Gunnar's Collection.

Click here to see Michelle's Collection. 

Click here to see Amanda's Collection.

Click here to see Jeffrey's "La Miniatura" Collection.

Click here to see Melissa's Collection.

Click here to see Anthony Ryan's Collection.

Click here to see Daniel's Collection.

Click here to see Korto's Collection.

Click here to see Samantha's Collection. 

BPR's own Frank Hui attended Samantha's show and sends this report:

Photo: Elrick

 Closing night Saturday, Samantha Plascencia show a moderate size collection. About 12 pieces or so. She moved to Austin last year from San Antonio and she's been happy about the move so far. She was friendly, calm and and very organized in her prep. She had 5 other people on her team. She seemed very happy to be at this event. 

Her collection went for an industrial grudge feel and included a couple of looks for men. It was a generally dark palette with an occasional pop of red. The looks had a very relaxed feel, aimed at a younger demographic but there were subtle touches to elevate it. Some atypical soft fabrications and hand beading. Her runway added to the diversity of designers being featured. It was almost all austin locals (including Rick Gonyo) and a great mix of styles including street, sportswear, formal, men's suit porn and deconstructed/avant garde collections.

Click here for behind-the-scenes photos from Rick Gonyo.

Thank you to Frank and Rick!

Tucson Fashion Week 2014 Featuriing Project Runway Designers

Peach Carr,  Mila Hermanovski,  Korto Momolu,  Daniel Esquivel and Bert Keeter are among the Project Runway designers showing their latest collections at Tucson Fashion Week.

Film Tucson Presents: Project Runway Showcase & Project Arizona on Saturday October 18th.

Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.

Austin Fashion Week Videos

BPR Field Report from Austin Fashion Week

A fabulous group of Project Runway designers presented collections at Austin Fashion Week on May 2nd.  BPR Field Reporter, Frank Hui, sends us this report.   Thanks Frank!

Melissa Fleis, Daniel Esquivel, Korto Momlu and Mychael Knight at Austin Fashion Week

Austin Fashion Week (AFW) hosted a night devoted to alumni of Project Runway. Participants included Melissa Fleis, Jeffrey Sebelia, Michelle Lesniak, Mychael Knight, Korto Momulu and Austin’s own Daniel Esquivel. 

Korto and Michelle Lesniak

The organization put forth a great effort to create a top notch event for a near capacity crowd with one of the largest gatherings of PR All-Stars. 

The AFW runway

Presented at the Austin Music Hall, the show was set on a beautiful stage with a sleek white runway and group of excellent models at their disposal. 

Click here for the full report. 

Project Runway All-Star Designer, Daniel Esquivel, presents six new designs at "Top Austin Model Finals"

Daniel also is one of the "Fabulous and Fashionable Men of Austin!"

Photo:  Clark Patterson

Click here for more photos of the event from photographer Clark Patterson.

Thank you to our Austin-based field reporter, Frank Hui!

BPR Interview with Daniel Esquivel

Project Runway All-Stars Season 3 designer, Daniel Esquivel, talks about his experience on the show.

A highlight:

BPR: Congratulations on making the cast of All-Stars! 

 DE: I'm very grateful to be asked to do this. I had fun! 

 BPR: Our readers strongly disagree with your elimination. 

 DE: I did read your page because I like it and I appreciate that. At the end of the day, it is the judges' decision. Avant Garde could be just about anything and I just had fun. 

 BPR: We are also concerned about your recovery - tell us about your accident and how you are doing.

DE: Well, last Monday I was leaving a meeting and a driver hit my left rear wheel and my car actually flipped over. I have a concussion and whiplash and a cut on my leg, but I am recovering. I mean it is very uncomfortable, I can't sleep, but I am doing what the doctor tells me and honestly it could have been much worse. I am very grateful that it didn't hurt my sewing hand! 

 The EMTs and the firemen and everyone told me that when they see this, it is usually much worse. Laura, this really opened my eyes. It is a long road to recovery, but I have a new lease on life and I am very grateful to be alive.


Click here for the full interview.

Click here to visit Daniel's website.

Thank you Daniel!

Results In - You Were the Judge Episode 1

Our polls for Episode 1 are closed. You disagreed with the judges and felt that Seth Aaron Henderson deserved the win. Click here to see the results. You also disagreed with judges' choice and felt that Daniel should have been out. Click here to see the results. 

Check back with us tomorrow for our Episode 2 poll.

Photos courtesy of MyLifetime.com

Project Runway All-Stars Featured at "WERK!" Fashion Show in Austin

Mychael Knight, Melissa Fleis, Daniel Esquivel and Jeffrey Sebelia showed their latest collections on Friday September 6th.  

We are looking forward to seeing all of these designers again when PRAS3 premieres on October 24th.

Daniel Esquivel at Austin Fashion Week

Project Runway Season 11 designer, Daniel Esquivel, presented his newest designs at Austin Fashion Week on Friday May, 10th.



His collection is the final presentation in this video beginning at about 29 minutes.  

Thanks Frank!

Daniel Esquivel Prepares for Austin Fashion Week

Photo:  Caitlin Ryan

Project Runway season 11 designer, Daniel Esquivel, is getting ready for Austin Fashion Week, where he will be presenting his newest designs on May 10.

Click here for more from CultureMap Austin.

BPR Interview with Daniel Esquivel

Project Runway Season 11 designer, Daniel Esquivel talks about his experience on the show.

A highlight:

BPR: You are a true inspiration to those of us in your demographic. What are you working on now?

DE: Actually, this is really cool. I have a dress that will be shown in a Cancer-Awareness fashion show on May 1st. 

 I am also doing Austin Fashion Week on May 10th. I am working on it right now. I can't wait for you to see it. I want to say also that I was very influenced by Patricia. I have been working with leather and I want to be sure to give credit to her for the inspiration. I am working with a silver-mirrored leather. I also have a floral print and black and white of course. 

 Also, I want to let you know, that I have been approached by a manufacturer this week. They want to produce my work! We are working out the details right now. Like I say, so many doors are opening for me. It is very exciting.

Click here for the full interview.

Click here see Daniel's Finale Collection.

Thank you Daniel!

Marina models Daniel's opening look.

A Fresh Interview with Daniel Esquivel

Project Runway Season 11 designer, Daniel Esquivel, gives a frank interview to Austin's Statesman.com.

Even before the finale, Esquivel is fielding opportunities. “The doors are already opening for me,” he says. “Retailers are reaching out. I am also collaborating on a new collection. 

I didn’t think the doors would open this fast."

Click here for the full interview.

Project Runway Season 11 Finale Collections

All Photos Getty Images

Photos of Project Runway Season 11 Finale Collections below. Three finalists and five decoy collections were shown.

All "Collection" photos:  New York Magazine.

Layana Aquilar
Daniel Esquivel
Samantha Black
Richard Hallmarq
Michelle Lesniak Franklin 
Amanda Valentine
Stanley Hudson
Patricia Michaels

Click here to comment.

Results In - You Were the Judge Episode 1

Our polls for Episode 1 are closed. You agreed with the judges and felt that Daniel Esquivel deserved the win. Click here to see the results. You also agreed with judges' choice and felt that Emily should have been out. Click here to see the results. 

Check back with us tomorrow for our Episode 2 poll.

Photos courtesy of MyLifetime.com

Meet Daniel Esquivel

Daniel Esquivel, 48 - Hometown: Austin, TX; Resides in Austin, TX

Project Runway Season 11 Designers!

The Project Runway Season 11 designers are: 

Amanda Valentine, 31 - Hometown: Lincoln, NE; Resides in Nashville, TN 
Benjamin Mach, 35 - Hometown: Sydney, Australia; Resides in London, England 
Cindy Marlatt, 59 - Hometown: Kent, WA; Resides in Kent, WA 
Daniel Esquivel, 48 - Hometown: Austin, TX; Resides in Austin, TX 
Emily Pollard, 24 - Hometown: Richfield, OH; Resides in Falls Church, VA 
James Martinez, 29 - Hometown: Dallas, TX; Resides in Dallas, TX 
Joseph Aaron Segal, 30 - Hometown: Framingham, MA; Resides in Providence, RI 
Katelyn Pankoke, 23 - Hometown: Parkland, FL; Resides in Chicago, IL 
Layana Aguilar, 28 - Hometown: Valadares, Brazil; Resides in New York, NY 
Mat Arthur, 30 - Hometown: Hammond, LA; Resides in New Orleans, LA 
Michelle Lesniak Franklin, 34 - Hometown: Portland, OR; Resides in Portland, OR 
Patricia Michaels, 46 - Hometown: Taos, NM; Resides in Taos, NM 
Richard Hallmarq, 40 - Hometown: Sacramento, CA; Resides in Sacramento, CA 
Samantha Black, 28 - Hometown: Bronx, NY/ Fairfield, CT; Resides in Brooklyn, NY 
Stanley Hudson, 45- Hometown: Pomona, CA; Resides in West Hollywood, CA 
Tu Nakchat, 26 - Hometown: Chacheangsao, Thailand; Resides in Springfield, VA