Project Runway is back on Bravo for Season 17 but without Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. But don’t you worry, judge Nina Garcia (now editor-in-chief of Elle Magazine) is still casting her stare on the catwalk. Supermodel Karlie Kloss is the host and Project Runway winner Christian Siriano is the mentor (the new Tim Gunn). The two new judges are fashion journalist/editor Elaine Welteroth (Teen Vogue) and fashion designer Brandon Maxwell.
[Brandon Maxwell 2019 dresses under $600]
Brandon Maxwell launched his women’s ready-to-wear label in 2015 and now celebrities — including Michelle Obama, Meghan Markle, Lady Gaga, and Oprah — are wearing his dresses or pantsuits. He says watching Lady Gaga accept her Oscar in February while wearing that stunning black gown (see photo below) was “without a doubt one of the proudest days of my life and career.”
[Nina wears these Saint Laurent crystal fish earrings on Project Runway]
However, Project Runway contestant Venny Etienne of Texas (Brandon is from Texas too) says when he saw Michelle Obama wearing one of Maxwell’s dresses, he says, “I mean, that’s a big mic drop moment right there.” Obama has worn Maxwell more than once — see below. Project Runway airs Thursdays at 8 pm on Bravo.
Michelle Obama wears gown by Brandon Maxwell, Gaga stylist https://t.co/SszCoq59pi pic.twitter.com/HJwyfB7mtZ
— Boston Herald (@bostonherald) August 4, 2016
First Lady Obama posing in Maxwell for the October 2016 cover of InStyle...
Michelle Obama, a picture of sophistication for Instyle (always reminding me of my mum) | #classact #ladyObama pic.twitter.com/QwnsutwzoA
— Ebun Ajayi (@_cheriebun) March 23, 2017
And that other proud moment — Lady Gaga at the Oscars…
Lady Gaga in Brandon Maxwell @ the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party #Oscars2019 pic.twitter.com/4ET4E5qhvz
— Yana (@yanalukina) February 26, 2019
