Dmitry Sholokhov has proved that he is a cut above the Project Runway rest!
Showing his final collection in a Lincoln Center runway show at New York fashion week alongside Christopher Palu, Melissa Fleis and Fabio Costa on Thursday's finale, the NYC-based designer won raves for his "polished" garments inspired by organic architecture.
"I have no idea how got here. This is a dream come true," Sholokhov, 33, enthused after Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, Nina Garcia and guest judge Jennifer Hudson crowned him this season's champ.
"So many of your looks were wearable and felt important," Klum raved of Sholokhov's black and white designs, which were initially declared "too matronly" until Sholokhov was given one last chance to revamp his collection during the final challenge before Fashion Week. "Dmitry, you are the winner of Project Runway! You have your wings — go fly now!"
Costa finished in second place thanks to his "Cosmic Tribalism" collection, followed by Fleis and Palu.
For his efforts, the Belarus born Sholokhov won $100,000 from L'Oreal Paris to start his own line, a fashion spread in Marie Claire, a 2013 Lexus GS 350, a $50,000 technology suite by HP and Intel and the opportunity to sell an exclusive collection at Lord & Taylor.
"This whole experience made me a better designer so it was worth it," raved Sholokhov. "I'm so excited for the future and I cannot imagine what I'm going to do next, but it's going to be big!"
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