Kentaro Kameyama. If you watched the finale of Project Runway Season 16 back in 2017, that name probably still rings a bell, even if you haven't kept up with every single season since. It was a weird year. Honestly, it was a messy year. Between the cheating scandal involving Claire Buitendorp and the introduction of models ranging from size 0 to 22, the show was trying to find its soul again. And then comes Kentaro, this soft-spoken Japanese composer-turned-designer who literally composed the music for his own runway show. He wasn't the loudest person in the room. He wasn't the one throwing shade in the workroom. But when the dust settled at New York Fashion Week, he was the winner of season 16 Project Runway, and it was one of the most well-deserved wins in the franchise's history.
The Night Kentaro Kameyama Won It All
The finale was a bit of a nail-biter. You had Ayana Ife, whose modest fashion was groundbreaking and technically flawless. You had Brandon Kee, the season's frontrunner who Heidi Klum basically obsessed over from week one. And then you had Margarita Alvarez, who brought the tropical, vibrant energy of Puerto Rico to the runway.
Kentaro’s collection was different. It was called "The Ritual." It was inspired by a burial at sea, which sounds incredibly morbid for a fashion show, right? But it wasn't. It was ethereal. It was quiet. While other designers were trying to grab the judges' attention with loud prints or "streetwear" tropes, Kentaro leaned into the silence. He used a lot of whites, creams, and subtle blacks. He understood negative space. He treated the fabric like a musical score.
Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, Zac Posen, and guest judge Jessica Alba were visibly moved. It wasn't just about the clothes; it was about the feeling. Kentaro proved that you don't have to be the loudest person in the room to be the most impactful. That's why his win felt so refreshing. It felt like art winning over commerce.
Why Season 16 Was a Total Rollercoaster
You can't talk about Kentaro without talking about the chaos of that season. Remember the Twins? Shawn and Claire Buitendorp? Their presence dominated the first half of the season. It was exhausting to watch. The constant "yasss" and "shooketh" and the way they leaned on each other for design help eventually blew up in their faces.
Claire was disqualified. She used a measuring tape in the contestants' loft to measure a pair of her own pants, which is a massive no-no. It was the first time in Project Runway history that a designer was disqualified mid-episode like that. It shifted the energy of the whole competition. Once that drama was cleared out, the actual talent started to breathe.
👉 See also: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
The addition of size-inclusive models was also a huge deal. It wasn't just a gimmick. The designers actually had to learn how to drape for different bodies. Brandon Kee, for as talented as he was, struggled with this a bit. Kentaro, however, seemed to handle it with a certain level of grace, even if he was intimidated at first. He treated every model like a canvas, regardless of their measurements.
The Competition Breakdown
- Kentaro Kameyama: The ultimate victor. His minimalist aesthetic and Japanese-inspired silhouettes were untouchable.
- Ayana Ife: The runner-up. She proved that modest fashion could be high-end, edgy, and universally appealing.
- Brandon Kee: Third place. He was the "golden boy" of the season, but his finale collection felt a bit repetitive compared to his weekly wins.
- Margarita Alvarez: Fourth place. She brought incredible passion and color, especially during a time when her home, Puerto Rico, was suffering from the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
The "Dead Cat" Music and the Art of the Runway
One of the most memorable moments from the finale wasn't a dress. It was the music. Kentaro is a classically trained pianist. He didn't want some generic EDM track playing while his models walked. He sat down and composed an original piece.
There’s this famous story—well, famous if you're a Project Runway nerd—where Kentaro explained the inspiration for his music. He told the judges he saw a dead cat on the street, and it was "so beautiful" that it inspired the melody. The judges' faces were priceless. They didn't know whether to laugh or be concerned. But when the music played alongside those flowing, sculptural garments, it all clicked. It was haunting. It was elegant. It was purely Kentaro.
What Most People Get Wrong About Kentaro’s Win
A lot of fans at the time thought Brandon Kee was robbed. Brandon had won more challenges. He had a very specific "look" that was very trendy—lots of straps, heavy fabrics, oversized silhouettes. People thought he was the shoo-in.
But here’s the thing about Project Runway: the finale is a different beast. You're not being judged on your "body of work" from the season. You're being judged on that one collection. Brandon’s collection felt like more of the same. It was good, but it didn't evolve. Kentaro, on the other hand, showed us something we hadn't seen from him yet. He showed us he could handle a 10-look collection with a narrative arc. He showed us he was a designer, not just a dressmaker.
✨ Don't miss: Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus Explained (Simply)
Life After the Win: Where is Kentaro Now?
Winning Project Runway is a massive boost, but it’s not a guaranteed ticket to becoming the next Michael Kors. The prize included $100,000, a fashion spread in Marie Claire, and a Lexus.
Kentaro didn't go the "fast fashion" route. He didn't rush out to do a cheap collaboration with a big-box retailer. He stayed true to his roots. He continued teaching at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles for a while. He’s also been incredibly active in the LA fashion scene, showing at various fashion weeks and keeping his brand boutique and high-end.
He's also leaned back into his music. He often combines his two passions, creating immersive experiences where the clothes and the sound are inseparable. He isn't a celebrity designer who's always in the tabloids, and honestly, that fits his brand perfectly. He’s an artist.
The Technical Brilliance of the Season 16 Finale
If you go back and look at the construction of Kentaro’s finale pieces, the technique is insane. There was this one pleated top—it looked like it was floating. He used horsehair braid to give the hems structure without making them look heavy. He understood the "bounce" of a garment.
Zac Posen, who is a master of construction himself, was obsessed with the way Kentaro handled the interiors of the clothes. In high fashion, the inside of a garment should look as good as the outside. Kentaro’s pieces were clean. No raw edges, no messy seams. He was a perfectionist in a way that made the other designers look like amateurs.
🔗 Read more: Big Brother 27 Morgan: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Was Season 16 the Last "Great" Season?
Some fans argue that Season 16 was the end of an era. It was the last season before the big shake-up where Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn left to do Making the Cut on Amazon. After this, the show moved back to Bravo, and while it’s still good, the "Heidi and Tim" magic was never quite the same.
Kentaro was the perfect winner to close out that chapter. He represented the "discovery" aspect of the show. He wasn't a social media influencer. He didn't have a massive following before he started. He was just a guy with a sewing machine and a very specific vision of the world.
How to Apply Kentaro’s "Minimalist" Lessons Today
If you’re a designer or just someone who loves style, there’s a lot to learn from the winner of season 16 Project Runway. We live in a world of "maximalism" and "micro-trends" that die in two weeks. Kentaro’s work is the opposite of that.
- Embrace the Silence: You don't always need more accessories or more color. Sometimes, the shape of the garment is enough.
- Tell a Story: Your clothes should mean something. Even if the inspiration is as weird as a dead cat on the road, if it’s honest, people will feel it.
- Focus on the Craft: High-quality construction never goes out of style. Learn how to sew a proper hem. Learn how to drape. The "math" of fashion is just as important as the "art."
- Ignore the Noise: Kentaro didn't get bogged down in the drama with the twins. He stayed in his own lane. In any creative field, the drama is a distraction. The work is what stays.
Moving Forward With Your Own Style
Whether you're looking to revamp your wardrobe or you're an aspiring designer yourself, looking back at Kentaro Kameyama’s victory is a great reminder that authenticity usually wins in the long run. Trendy stuff is fun, but timelessness is where the power is.
Take a look at your own closet. How many pieces do you have that tell a story? How many pieces are built to last? If you want to channel that "Season 16 Winner" energy, start looking for quality over quantity. Seek out designers who have a specific point of view. Support local artists who, like Kentaro, care more about the "ritual" of creation than the "likes" on a screen.
If you're interested in seeing his latest work, you can find Kentaro on Instagram or through his official website. He’s still creating, still composing, and still proving that the quietest voice can sometimes be the most beautiful.
Next Steps for Fashion Enthusiasts:
- Watch the Finale: Go back and re-watch the Season 16 finale of Project Runway. Pay attention to the movement of Kentaro's fabrics compared to the other three finalists.
- Study Minimalism: Look into the Japanese concept of "Ma" (the space between things), which heavily influenced Kentaro's aesthetic.
- Support Size-Inclusive Brands: Since Season 16 was a pioneer in this, seek out brands that prioritize diverse fit models in their design process.
- Practice Intentionality: Next time you buy a piece of clothing, ask yourself if it has the "structural integrity" that Zac Posen would approve of.