With money in his pocket and hype surrounding his name, "Project Runway" winner Jeffrey Sebelia now plans to expand his Cosa Nostra line to a full collection.
Sebelia, 36, won the finale of the reality TV program on Wednesday night and received a $100,000 check. He said he has not yet decided whether he would accept the yearlong mentorship with Macy's private label, INC International Concepts Design.
Cosa Nostra is sold at high-end specialty stores such as Maxfield in Los Angeles, Patch in Saint-Tropez, France, and Harvey Nichols in London and Hong Kong. "I had stores that told me it would be career suicide to go on ‘Project Runway,'" said Sebelia, who wore his own sweater and pants with a Diesel shirt and tie to the finale. "But the great thing about this show is it gives you so much exposure. I have no regrets."
Meanwhile, the other finalists — and even those who weren't — are reaping rewards from appearing on the program. Runner-up Uli Herzner said she plans to continue her work as a celebrity stylist, but now will dress them in her own designs. Though known for her glamorous evening gowns, finalist Laura Bennett said her next step would not be Bergdorf's ready-to-wear floor, but rather a moderate-priced line accessible to the average woman — perhaps even patterns on a maternity collection.
The fourth finalist, Mychael Knight, who had been voted crowd favorite, has been flaunting his look with teeth braces and on Thursday launched his Web site mychaelknight.com.
One doesn't have to be a finalist to reap "Project Runway" success. Attending a party Wednesday night to watch the final episode and crown the winner, contestant Alison Kelly said she is now designing an exclusive collection for shopbop.com under the label Dahl. Malan Breton, another contestant voted off early, showed during New York Fashion Week and is opening an eponymous Manhattan store in November. "I can't even walk down the street, it's so crazy," said Breton. "And that's just from being on two episodes."