Why Kentaro Kameyama as the Season 16 Project Runway Winner Still Matters to Fashion Today

It was a weird year. Honestly, when you think back to 2017, the fashion landscape felt like it was stuck in this strange transition between the maximalism of the early 2010s and the weirdly sterile "minimalism" that was just starting to take over Instagram. But then Project Runway Season 16 happened. And it wasn't just another cycle of the show. It was the "inclusive" season—the first time the series actually bothered to use models of all sizes, ranging from 0 to 22. It changed the math.

So, when Kentaro Kameyama became the Season 16 Project Runway winner, it felt like a statement.

The guy wasn't just a designer. He was a classically trained pianist. He looked at fabric the way a composer looks at a sheet of music. While other designers were trying to be loud or "viral," Kentaro was just... quiet. He was meticulous. He was, quite frankly, a breath of fresh air in a reality TV cycle that usually rewards the biggest ego in the room.

The Quiet Power of Kentaro’s Final Collection

People often forget how close he was to not winning. Going into that finale at New York Fashion Week, the competition was stiff. You had Ayana lfe, whose modest fashion aesthetic was incredibly polished and commercially viable. You had Brandon Kee, who was basically the judges' darling for the entire season. Brandon's streetwear vibe was so "of the moment" that almost everyone expected him to take the title.

But Kentaro did something different.

He didn't just make clothes; he made a soundtrack. He actually composed the music for his runway show. Think about that for a second. Most designers are scouring Spotify or hiring DJs to find a beat that fits the "vibe." Kentaro sat at a piano. He created a piece that mirrored the movement of his garments. It was a sensory experience that felt more like high art than a reality show finale.

The collection itself was inspired by a dead cat. Yeah, you read that right. It sounds morbid, maybe even a little "try-hard" edgy, but in Kentaro's hands, it was about transcendence. It was about the cycle of life and the beauty in the macabre. The clothes were whites, creams, and subtle blacks. There was this one pleated piece—a sculptural, salmon-colored top—that just moved like liquid. It was one of those moments where the judges, including Heidi Klum and Nina Garcia, seemed to collectively hold their breath.

Why Brandon Kee Lost and Kentaro Won

If you look at the track record, Brandon won more challenges. He was consistent. He had a "signature." But looking back, Brandon’s signature—those dangling straps and oversized silhouettes—started to feel a bit repetitive. By the time they got to the finale, the judges were looking for growth. They wanted a story.

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Kentaro’s collection was a narrative arc. It started with this stark, almost clinical purity and evolved into something deeply emotional. It wasn't just "cool clothes." It was a perspective.

The Reality of Winning Project Runway in the Late 2010s

Winning a show like this is a double-edged sword. You get the $100,000. You get the fashion spread. You get the brand collaboration. But you also get the "reality TV" label, which can be a death knell in the snobby world of high fashion.

Kentaro Kameyama didn't go the "fast fashion" route. He didn't try to become an overnight influencer. Instead, he leaned into the craftsmanship. He stayed in Los Angeles. He kept teaching at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM). He understood that the title of Season 16 Project Runway winner was a door-opener, but the work—the actual, grueling, stitch-by-stitch work—is what keeps the door from slamming shut.

He launched his eponymous line, but he did it his way. No massive, soul-crushing corporate takeovers. Just small, intentional drops. He stayed true to that avant-garde, Japanese-inspired minimalism that won him the show in the first place.

Breaking the "Standard" Model

We have to talk about the models. Season 16 was a turning point. For the first time, the designers weren't just working with "hangers." They were working with bodies. Real ones.

This was a massive hurdle for some of the designers. Some complained. Some struggled with the proportions. Kentaro? He just handled it. He treated every body like a different architectural challenge. He didn't try to hide the curves or force them into a "standard" silhouette. He draped. He folded. He respected the form. That's a huge reason why he resonated with the audience. He wasn't fighting the reality of the human body; he was celebrating it.

What Happened After the Confetti Fell?

Life after the show is rarely what people expect. Fans think you're suddenly a millionaire living in a penthouse. In reality, you're usually back in your studio the next Monday trying to figure out how to scale a business without losing your mind.

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Kentaro stayed busy. He showed at LA Fashion Week. He did collaborations. But he also stayed grounded in the arts. He’s often seen at the piano as much as the sewing machine. To him, the two are inseparable.

• The FIDM Connection: He continued to mentor the next generation.
• The Aesthetic: He never pivoted to "trendy." His work still feels like it belongs in a museum.
• The Impact: He proved that the "nice guy" can actually win. In a show that often thrives on drama—remember the whole "twins" saga with Claire and Shawn Buitendorp?—Kentaro was the calm in the center of the storm.

He didn't get involved in the petty fights. He didn't play the "villain" for more screen time. He just worked.

The Long-Term Legacy of the Season 16 Project Runway Winner

If you look at the winners of the last few seasons, Kentaro stands out as one of the most "artistic." Some winners are great at making clothes you'd see at a mall. Others are great at making red carpet gowns. Kentaro makes things that make you think.

His victory signaled a shift in what the judges were looking for. They weren't just looking for the next big commercial success. They were looking for a voice. They were looking for someone who could elevate the medium of fashion into something more profound.

The fashion industry is notoriously fickle. One minute you're the "it" designer, and the next, you're a trivia question. But Kentaro has managed to avoid the "where are they now" trap by simply continuing to create. He’s not chasing the spotlight; he’s letting the work speak for itself.

Honestly, the way he handled the win is a lesson for anyone in a creative field. You don't have to be the loudest person in the room to be the most impactful. You just have to be the most authentic.

Misconceptions About Kentaro's Win

Some people still argue that Ayana should have won. Her collection was incredible—it was ground-breaking in its own right for the visibility it gave to modest fashion. Others think Brandon was "robbed."

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But when you re-watch that final runway, the choice becomes clear. Kentaro’s collection felt like a complete thought. It wasn't a series of outfits; it was a world. It had a beginning, a middle, and an end.

Also, can we talk about the "dead cat" thing again? People thought it was a joke at first. But when you see the final pieces, you realize it wasn't about the cat. It was about the feeling of loss and the beauty that remains afterward. It was poetic. How many reality show contestants can actually pull off "poetic" without looking ridiculous?

Not many.

Actionable Takeaways from the Season 16 Journey

If you're a designer or just a fan of the show, there's a lot to learn from how the Season 16 Project Runway winner approached the competition and his career afterward.

1. Find Your Rhythm: Literally. Kentaro used his musical background to inform his design. Don't compartmentalize your skills. If you're a writer who loves math, use that logic in your prose. If you're a designer who loves gardening, use those textures.
2. Ignore the Noise: The twins' drama in Season 16 was exhausting. Kentaro stayed out of it. Focus on your craft, not the competition's antics.
3. Respect the Form: Inclusivity isn't a "trend." Designing for different body types requires different skills. Master the art of draping and proportion for everyone, not just the industry standard.
4. Compose Your Story: A collection (or a portfolio) needs a narrative. Don't just show a bunch of great things; show how they connect.
5. Stay True to the Craft: Even after the fame, Kentaro stayed in education and high-level design. Don't rush into a "cash-out" if it means losing your artistic soul.

The legacy of Kentaro Kameyama isn't just a trophy or a check. It’s the proof that in an industry that's often shallow and loud, there is still a place for the quiet, the thoughtful, and the deeply creative. He remains one of the most respected winners in the franchise's history because he never tried to be anyone but himself.

To follow his current work, keep an eye on his social media and the FIDM alumni showcases. He’s still out there, probably at a piano or a cutting table, making something that sounds—and looks—exactly like art.