Renee Hill, Project Runway designer, expresses style and confidence in her brand

On this season’s Project Runway, Renee Hill might not have been the most flamboyant personality, but her boss lady attitude portrayed her inner confidence.

Renee Hill competed in Project Runway season 17. During her season, Renee exhibited a quiet confidence that served her well in several challenges. While team challenges were not her forte, the talented visual designer captivated fashion fans with looks that sparked a conversation. After being eliminated from the season, Renee spoke with me about her experience, some of the challenges and the future for her design brand.

The revamped season of Project Runway has taken a slightly different approach than the traditional fashion competition. While the designs, themselves, are always paramount, this season has focused on creating an entire look or brand for a designer’s “woman.”

In some ways, that more stylized concept worked for Renee. Going through some of her more successful looks this season, she was able to convey her woman and brand. While not necessarily a signature design element, her woman is defined, and more importantly confident.

Probably one of Renee’s most memorable looks from Project Runway season 17 was from the survival chic challenge. From the functionality to the accessories, Renee captured the purpose of the challenge unlike anyone else.

Still, not every challenge fit was her favorite choice. Specifically, Renee said that “the unconventional challenge was the most difficult for me.” Even though she found that challenge difficult, it was the challenge that she won.

Although many Project Runway fans might have thought Renee would go further in the season, she was eliminated in episode 8. Similar to earlier in the season, Renee seemed to struggle in team challenges.

Even in this week’s episode, the judges commented that she seemed to lose her voice, in a way. Renee said, “Team Challenges can be tricky I tried to go into the challenges optimistic but working with designers that were on the bottom in challenges and on the top in others can have you over thinking things. I was always in the mindset of winning, until something went wrong, now it’s time to pray to be safe LOL.”

For her final challenge, the concept was to create a collection for a particular client, Morena Baccarin. Since each designer had very different aesthetics, it can be difficult to create a cohesive vision. Still  creating a collection means it needs to be tied together.

Renee said that a collection needs to reflect that “the client would want to wear each piece in the collection.” Looking at Renee’s collections from her brand, Harx4, that concept is clear. For example in her Dark Shadows collection, the looks seem to build on each other. While each look works independently, the client’s approach to fashion is similar.

Additionally, Renee seems to understand that her designs need to work in many scenarios. While this week’s particular challenge focused on a vacation-inspired collection, the functionality of looks should be considered.

Renee believes that women should have transitional looks. She creates looks that are “multi-function and can transition from day to night.” That type of versatility is important to many women today.

Looking at Renee’s background, she may not seem like a likely candidate for Project Runway. The mom and wife has had many life experiences and seemed quite wise in her approach to the competition. She understood that this opportunity could provide big dividends.

Like many designers, Project Runway serves as a platform to something more. Renee said, “At this stage in my life, I knew I needed an opportunity to put myself and my brand on the map. So once this opportunity presented itself, I discussed it with my husband and we decided this would be the best thing for me. Especially since I couldn’t reach Michelle Obama or Tracee Ellis Ross to gift them a few pieces. LOL.”

With the exposure from the show, the Philadelphia-based designer has many possibilities ahead of her. More importantly, she is ready to embrace what lays ahead. “I have such big plans for myself. First, I leave Saturday to go on a spiritual journey. Once I return, I’ll launch my new website/wholesale, creating lifestyle brand, collaborations, motivational speaking and writing a book. I’m just so obsessively grateful that I had this opportunity. I don’t think anyone will understand until they have experienced it. Thank You, Project Runway Family.”

I wish Renee Hill much success in her future endeavors. If you would like to learn more about her brand, Harx4, please visit her website.

Project Runway Season 17 airs on Bravo on Thursday nights at 9 p.m. ET.