Project Runway designer Hester Sunshine spreads joy with her fashion

Hester Sunshine has brought a breath of fresh air to this Project Runway season. Could this opportunity propel her fashion career forward?

This season of Project Runway has been bursting with some sunshine — Hester Sunshine that is. Throughout the season, Hester has showcased her vision and has never wavered. While some choices might have been bold, those designs could never be called safe or pedestrian.

This Project Runway season was billed as a new, revitalized version of the fashion reality show. While some classic challenges returned, Hester definitely brought a fresh perspective to the iconic fashion show.

Whether Hester’s aesthetic appeals to everyone’s style or not, fans can appreciate that she took risks throughout the season. Over and over, the judges referred to Hester’s looks as joyful, vibrant and essentially Hester.

Actually those descriptions seem intentional. Hester said, “I try to bring fun, whimsy and the Avant Garde into everyday life. I like to spread joy and happiness with clothing and make people feel good. To me fashion should be transformative, it should elicit emotion, that’s what I try to do with my work.”

In many ways, fashion can be too serious or in some cases too labeled. Hester said, “So much of the world is obsessed with toning down, being ‘cool’ or ‘sophisticated’ and blending in. I don’t really see the point in all that. The world is bleak enough place to be in already, why not make it a little better with some bright color and fun clothing?!?”

Looking at the season as a whole, Hester always seemed to bring the fun. While she won many challenges, she said that her favorite challenge was the print challenge. She said, “I loveeeeee print, it’s my favorite color.”

In a way, all those wins were a little controversial this year. Since the wins came with immunity, Hester really pushed the envelope when she had immunity. Who doesn’t remember the pasties episode?

In some ways, those choices were intentional. Hester said, “Yes, sure, I mean, honestly I don’t understand why immunity exists if not to really push yourself, push boundaries, make people think, and make people a little uncomfortable.”

Although people might have been a little uncomfortable, the conversation is important in the fashion world. Hester said, “Clothing is political even when it has nothing to do with politics, it’s how we express who we are what we think and how we want to be perceived, and that in itself is and should be decisive. The truth is at heart I am still a teenage punk rocker so using design and dress as a rebellious act is really part of my DNA.”

In a way, the fashion industry needs that push and Hester can be that catalyst. She said, “I just want people to be ok with other people having fun. For so long the fashion industry has taken itself soooooo seriously. I feel like we need to open the doors to other voices and points of view. There are a lot of ways to be stylish, I want to break the monopoly up on sophistication, have some fun, make fashion for art’s sake.”

While Hester is still building her brand, she would love to work with a wide variety of celebrities. Some of her wish list clients include “Janelle Monae, Miley Cyrus, Brooke Candy, Zendaya, Rihanna.”

Looking at those names, each woman seems to appreciate pushing the fashion conservation forward. In some ways, Project Runway can open those doors to working with big name clients. More importantly, the show helps to build a loyal fan base.

Hester said, “I think Project Runway has and will continue to connect me with a loyal fan base that gets what I am trying to do! My goal is to dress the world, to change it, make things a little brighter and more fun. With the visibility of Project Runway I hope to really push forward with my brand, create a full ready to wear line and work on some crazy custom Avant Garde stuff. I also hope to do some brand partnerships and licensing. I want to design everything! Athletic wear, eyeglasses, home goods… you name it! “

Now that Project Runway has come to a close, the whole experience had a big impact on Hester. She said that she learned to “Believe in my own vision and trust myself. Also, take a step back and look at my work from a different angle, and be ok with changing course.”

Project Runway and fashionistas should expect big things from Hester Sunshine. In many ways, her career is as bright and positive as her personality.

What was your favorite Hester Sunshine look from this season of Project Runway? Do you think that she was the judges’ favorite?