Project Runway New Cast Members

Here they are: The 16 new contestants who will star in the seventh season of  Project Runway, which comes back on January 14. This season, thankfully, the competition has moved back to New York City and fashion experts Michael Kors and Nina Garcia are back in their judges chairs full-time! Good thing because I felt a bit cheated last season, they only appeared in like 3 episodes!  I can't wait for the next season to start now, I'm already excited. (s)

Amy Sarabi, 26
Lives in: Oakland, CA

Style icon: Lady Gaga

Favorite past 'Project Runway' designer: Jay McCarroll, season 1

Background: She's currently a designer for Old Navy.

Anna Lynett, 23

Lives in: Los Angeles, CA
Style icon: Carla Bruni Sarkozy
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designer: Kara Saun, season 1
Background: She's a self-taught designer who specializes in pattern-making and screen-printing
 
 

Anthony L. Williams, Jr., 28

Lives in: Atlanta, GA
Style icon: The cast of 'Dynasty,' especially Diahann Carroll
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designer: Austin Scarlett, season 1

Ben Chmura, 30

Lives in: Tampa, FL
Style icon: Madonna
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designer: Jay McCarroll, season 1
Background: The Savannah College of Art & Design grad has worked as a freelancer for Express Men, Club Monaco, Ralph Lauren, TSE Cashmere and American Eagle.

Christiane King, 30

Lives in: Los Angeles, CA
Style icon: Lady Gaga
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designer: Rami Kashou, season 4

Emilio Sosa, 43

Lives in: New York City, NY
Style icon: Lois Alexander
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designer: None

Janeane Marie Ceccanti, 28

Lives in: Portland, OR
Style icon: Coco Chanel
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designer: Leanne Marshall, season 5
Background: The Art Institute of Portland Apparel Design grad launched her own fashion line, and was an intern for 'Project Runway' season 5 winner Leanne Marshall.

Jay Nicolas Sario, 31

Lives in: San Francisco, CA
Style icon: Sarah Jessica Parker
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designer: Christian Siriano, season 4
Background: The self-taught designer works as a visual merchandiser and lead stylist for the Kids division of Gap.

 

Jesse LeNoir, 25

Lives in: Orlando, FL
Style icons: Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Audrey Hepburn
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designers: Daniel Vosovic and Santino Rice from season 2 and Jillian Lewis, season 4

Jesus Estrada, 21

Lives in: San Diego, CA
Style icon: Victoria Beckham
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designers: Jay McCarroll and Austin Scarlett from season 1 and Gordana Gehlhausen, season 6

Jonathan Joseph Peters, 29

Lives in: Providence, RI
Style icon: Coco Chanel
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designer: Jay McCarroll, season 1

Maya Luz, 22

Lives in: New York City, NY
Style icons: Tura Satana, Exene Cervenka, Bettie Paige, Louise Brooks
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designer: Leanne Marshall, season 5

Mila Hermanovski, 40

Lives in: Los Angeles, CA
Style icons: Catherine Deneuve, Jacqueline Onassis, Emma Peel, Grace Jones
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designer: Daniel Vosovic, season 2
Background: The Texas native worked as an assistant designer for Calvin Klein, a freelance visual merchandiser for Barneys and Henri Bendel and has dressed celebs like Brooke Shields and Carrie Ann Inaba.

 

Pamela Ptak, 47

Lives in: Bucks County/Riegelsville, PA
Style icon: Iman
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designer: None

Ping Wu, 33

Lives in: Chicago, IL
Style icons: Coco Chanel, Victoria Beckham, Bjork
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designers: None

Seth Aaron Henderson, 38

Lives in: Vancouver, WA
Style icon: Twiggy
Favorite past 'Project Runway' designer: Christian Siriano, season 4
Background: Self-taught and influenced by punk and '80s Goth music