'Project Runway' Winner Embarks on Fashion Career
See what the season six winner is up to now.
Forget the usual path to success in the fashion industry—that is, going to design school, researching information on fashion design as a career, and networking like crazy. If you're Irina Shabayeva, it's enough simply to win top honors in season six of "Project Runway." In the final episode, Shabayeva edged past fellow finalists Althea Harper and Carol Hannah Whitfield with her daringly monochromatic set of "urban warrior woman" looks. Though her competitive attitude turned off some fellow contenders—and viewers—her attention to detail and craftsmanship may have been the factor that swayed the judges in her favor.
Among the prizes bestowed on the winner are a $100,000 cash prize, a trip to Paris and a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine. It's the cash prize, Shabayeva said in an interview with ETOnline.com, that excites her the most, because she's going to use it to jump-start her career in New York City.
"I am going to get a showroom in the Manhattan garment district, get a studio space going and start building with building blocks—and maybe even have a shop in the city," she said.
"Project Runway" provides a unique glimpse into the working process of promising and creative designers like Shabayeva. It also gives those looking for information on fashion design as a career an idea of the competitive nature of the field, and the type of grit and determination that can give aspiring designers a leg up in the industry. If you're thinking about a fashion career, though, you'll want to do more than simply watch television. Researching your educational options and pinpointing a fashion design college that fits your goals will be the blueprint—or the pattern—for success.
Artist Community News
Read About Art Careers
Fashion Design Job – Read what a fashion design career is all about.
Filmmaking Job – Looking to start a filmmaking career? Find out what it takes to succeed.
Game Design Job – Become a video game designer. Find out how to get started.
Graphic Design Job – Learn what to expect in a graphic design job.
Interior Design Job – Do you have what it takes to become an interior designer? Find out.
Photography Job – Learn what it's like to be a professional photographer.