New Orleans Native Wins Project Runway
September 10th marked the final episode of Project Runway’s 22nd season. Many New Orleanians gathered to watch 23-year-old NOLA native Jude Mikulencak compete in the final challenge: a four-way battle between the remaining designers. Mikulencak would have to outshine some of the world’s most exciting talent to bring home the victory. Nevertheless, the young designer brought glory and pride to his hometown of New Orleans when he won the highly renowned competition, Project Runway.
Image: Elle Magazine
From the beginning of the season, Jude stood out with his unique personality. While most relied on flamboyance and drama to make an impression, Jude let his work speak for itself. He had a humble, respectful cadence you might not expect from a fellow competitor. But after the first few challenges, it was clear his calm demeanor didn’t mean he lacked competitiveness, as he went on to win the most challenges of all the designers. His expertise in tailoring became evident immediately, as the models walked in pants, jackets, and dresses that fit like a second skin.
Along with the elegant fit of his pieces, the movement of the clothes themselves was particularly astounding to both the audience and the judges:
“What really sets Jude’s stuff apart, and I’m sure this is true for the judges, is when you see the models walking with Jude’s clothes; his clothes are alive. They are moving, and they are flowing,” said Duane Mikulencak on his son’s final collection for the show (nola.com).
Image: Elle Magazine
He consistently dressed women in suits, unlike his opponents, who regularly wore dresses. However, Jude’s designs did not lack personality even when pitted against large, colorful dresses. Each look sent down the runway made a statement. The looks didn’t rely on loud colors or extra-extravagant antics, but on a well-crafted, mature presence. The dresses conveyed a humble elegance that spoke volumes in a competition full of noise. It was these distinguishing characteristics that set Jude and his work apart from day one.
He tends to work with muted colors: black, grey, silver, beige, and brown are Jude’s forte in creating his polished, mature looks. To make his clothes stand out, Jude uses sharp silhouettes, eye-catching textures, and elegant draping to create a polished, refined look for his clients. A staple in many of Jude’s works is a wide collar or lapel, along with broad, structured shoulders that project a powerful presence in any room.
“I love finding the beauty in the mundane,” Mikulencak says. “I’ve always appreciated a gray, rainy day. It has its own special romance, and I try to re-create that feeling in my clothes.” -Elle Magazine
Image: Elle Magazine
Jude’s love for art blossomed long before his days of fashion design. He grew up as a talented painter, being “serious and diligent from a young age,” according to Emily Farranto, Jude’s childhood art teacher. It wasn’t until a summer camp at the Art Institute of Chicago that Mikulencak, then a high school sophomore, was inspired to begin a life in fashion design. After seeing the fashion students dressing up and having fun, he decided that it was time to put down the brush and pick up the needle:
“I came home, I bought a home sewing machine and some fabric and just started making clothes. I think from that day I have not turned back.” (Jude Mikulencak, Nola.com)
Image: Nola News
After failing to find a mentor in New Orleans, Jude moved to New York at 18 in hopes of greater opportunity. The move was not in vain. He met Craig Robinson, who quickly agreed to mentor him and let Jude work under him. It was also at this time that he enrolled in the Pratt Institute, where he studied fashion design.
Outside of Project Runway, Jude works as a designer at Robinson Brooklyn, a bespoke tailor shop run by his aforementioned mentor. Jude works long days at the shop designing, manufacturing, and teaching. While he has yet to make an official statement about what he will pursue next, he will likely continue to construct custom pieces for his clients while continuing to work at Robinson Brooklyn. However, as his brand grows, he may seek to pursue that full-time.
While it’s not clear what is next in store for the New Orleans native, it is appropriate to expect the same level of excellence and professionalism that we saw on the show. Jude has been developing his craft for a long time, and he shows no signs of stopping any time soon. Designer Sergio Hudson even called him “the next Yves Saint Laurent.” With the judges and the world’s eyes fixed on his final collection, he left the competition with a vow to his craft:
“I promise you, I will be making clothes until the day I die.” - Jude Mikulencak
References
https://www.instagram.com/stuffbyjude?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&stkn=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==