2 Filipinos compete for ‘Project Runway’ top prize

When “Challenge Runway” season 19 begins this October, two Filipino designers might be bringing out their A-game for an opportunity to turn into vogue’s subsequent large identify.

San Diego’s Kenneth Barlis and Darren Apolonio of New York are amongst 16 contestants who might be mentored by designer Christian Siriano through the competitors. 

Their designs might be judged by the present’s common stars Nina Garcia, Brandon Maxwell, and Elaine Welteroth. 

The panel of visitor judges serving to them decide the very best designer to indicate a set at New York Style Week consists of actress Taraji P. Henson and supermodels Gigi Hadid and Karlie Kloss.

Barlis grew up in a navy base in Mindanao the place he graduated as his highschool valedictorian. One yr earlier than finishing a registered nurse diploma, he determined to pursue his desires of changing into a clothier in America. 

As his kinds and youthful enthusiasm turned well-known in his hometown, he grew his shopper base and staged a number of profitable reveals in San Diego and Los Angeles beginning in 2013.

Apolonio was additionally born within the Philippines the place he grew up together with his sisters and was raised by a single mom. After highschool, he moved to New York and labored his manner up in one of many world’s greatest vogue capitals. His early influences embrace Girl Gaga and David Bowie, two vogue icons whose kinds impressed Apolonio to be simply as fearless in his designs.

The Emmy-winning present consists of 90-minute episodes the place contestants get an opportunity to indicate their creativity and approach. 

This season the contestants might be challenged to provide designs with themes together with “a hauntingly stylish look, an avant-garde look from fake fur, and an unconventional cocktail gown with a twist,” in keeping with the community’s press launch.

The “Challenge Runway” champ will obtain the grand prize of $250,000. Within the US, the present airs on Bravo and repeats subsequent day on the Peacock streaming service.

Meet the “Challenge Runway” Season 19 Designers:

· Octavio Aguilar – Miami, FL

· Darren Apolonio – New York, NY

· Kenneth Barlis – San Diego, CA

· Caycee Black – Brooklyn, NY

· Coral Castillo – Los Angeles, NY

· Meg Ferguson – Tulsa, OK

· Prajjé Oscar Jean-Baptiste – Philadelphia, PA

· Bones Jones – Brooklyn, NY

· Kristina Kharlashkina – New York, NY

· Katie Kortman – Japan

· Shantall Lacayo – Miami, FL

· Aaron Michael – Jackson, MS

· Chasity Sereal – Houston, TX

· Zayden Skipper – Atlanta, GA

· Sabrina Spanta – Bloomfield Hills, MI

· Anna Yinan Zhou – San Francisco, CA