Honestly, it feels like a lifetime ago. Before the franchise hopped around networks and went through a dozen different judging panels, Project Runway All Stars Season 1 hit our screens in 2012. It was a weird time. People were still mourning the fact that Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn weren't involved in this spin-off, yet the cast was so stacked it didn't even matter.
Look at that roster. Mondo Guerra. Austin Scarlett. Kenley Collins. Jerell Scott. These weren't just "designers who happened to be on TV." They were the heavy hitters, the ones who felt robbed the first time around or the ones we just couldn't stop talking about because of their attitudes. It was high-stakes. It felt desperate in the best way possible.
The Weirdness of a New Panel
Walking into Season 1 of All Stars was jarring. You’ve got Angela Lindvall hosting instead of Heidi. Isaac Mizrahi and Georgina Chapman took the judging seats, and Joanna Coles—the then-Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire—stepped into the mentor role.
It changed the vibe.
The main series always had this sort of "big sister" or "strict parents" feel with Heidi and Tim. The All Stars energy was more like a high-end corporate internship where the bosses are actually terrified of you because you’re already famous. Joanna Coles didn't sugarcoat anything. She was blunt. She was British. She was exactly what the show needed to differentiate itself from the flagship series.
Mondo Guerra and the Burden of the Fan Favorite
Everyone knew Mondo was going to win. Okay, maybe not everyone, but the collective internet was still reeling from his loss to Gretchen Jones in Season 8. That was arguably the most controversial finale in the history of the entire franchise. When Mondo showed up for Project Runway All Stars Season 1, the narrative was already written: This is his redemption arc.
But the pressure was visible. He wasn’t just sewing clothes; he was carrying the expectations of a massive fanbase that viewed him as the "rightful" winner of the past. His designs stayed graphic and bold, but you could see the toll the competition took on him. It wasn't the breezy, effortless Mondo we saw the first time. It was a man on a mission to reclaim a title he felt was his years prior.
The Austin Scarlett Factor
If Mondo was the soul of the season, Austin Scarlett was the theatrical heartbeat. Austin is an original. Literally. He was on Season 1 of the regular show. Seeing him interact with designers from much later seasons—like Anthony Williams or Mila Hermanovski—showed how much the industry had shifted.
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Austin’s aesthetic is pure romance. It’s "fairytale in a New York loft." Throughout the season, his rivalry (if you can even call it that) with the more modern, edgy designers provided the perfect friction. He wasn't there to be "cool." He was there to be Austin.
Why the Challenges Actually Worked
Sometimes reality TV challenges feel like they’re just trying to make people look stupid. "Make a dress out of trash!" Well, they did that, but Project Runway All Stars Season 1 kept the challenges surprisingly grounded in the actual fashion industry.
Take the "refined evening wear" challenge or the one where they had to design for Miss Piggy. It sounds ridiculous, but Miss Piggy is a legitimate fashion icon in the camp world. It forced the designers to balance their own brand with a very specific, very demanding "client."
One of the standout moments—and one that still gets talked about in fashion circles—was the neon challenge. It was a "lights-out" runway. Designers had to create looks that worked in both daylight and under UV light. It was a gimmick, sure, but it showed who actually understood fabric construction and who was just skating by on pretty sketches. Austin’s light-up gown was a moment of pure TV magic that reminded us why we watch these shows in the first place.
The Kenley Collins Problem
We have to talk about Kenley. You either love her "vintage pin-up" vibe or you find it incredibly repetitive. In Season 5, she was the villain. In All Stars Season 1, she was... still Kenley. She pushed back against the judges. She had that signature laugh. But she also proved she had a cohesive vision.
The tension between Kenley and the judges—specifically Isaac Mizrahi—was a highlight. Isaac wanted her to evolve. Kenley wanted to do what she does best. It brings up a genuine debate in the fashion world: Do you change your DNA to please a panel, or do you stick to your guns and risk getting cut? Kenley stuck to her guns. She didn't win, but she left with her brand intact.
The Gritty Reality of the Schedule
People don't realize how fast this was filmed. The designers were churning out high-fashion garments in 24 to 48 hours. In the "real" fashion world, a single look might take weeks of fittings and pattern adjustments.
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In the All Stars workroom, it was chaos. You’d see Jerell Scott or Michael Costello literally draping on the fly because they didn't have time to properly draft a pattern. This frantic pace is why we saw more "unfinished" hems in All Stars than in some regular seasons. These were professionals, but they were exhausted professionals.
The Final Three: A Clash of Styles
The finale came down to Mondo, Austin, and Michael Costello. It was the perfect triad.
- Mondo: The graphic, emotional, "indie" darling.
- Austin: The high-drama, classic couturier.
- Michael Costello: The commercial, "red carpet" draper.
Costello’s trajectory is actually the most interesting in hindsight. While he didn't win Season 1 of All Stars, he went on to become one of the most successful alumni in real life, dressing Beyoncé and every A-list celebrity you can think of. At the time, the judges often criticized him for being "too commercial" or "too simple." History proved him right.
Mondo’s final collection was a masterclass in print mixing. It was therapy on a runway. When he was finally declared the winner, it felt like the closing of a chapter that had been open since his Season 8 loss. It wasn't just a win for him; it was a win for the fans who felt the show owed him one.
The Legacy of the First All Stars
This season set the template. It proved that you could remove the "Big Two" (Heidi and Tim) and the show would still have legs if the talent was high enough. It also highlighted a shift in the industry. Fashion was becoming more about personal branding and less about just "making pretty dresses."
The show also addressed things that were still somewhat taboo or less discussed in 2012, like Mondo's openness about his HIV+ status and how that fueled his creative fire. It gave the competition a weight that went beyond the sewing machine.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often think All Stars is "easier" because the designers know the drill. It’s actually harder. The judges expect perfection. You can’t use the "I’m learning" excuse that a rookie on Season 15 might use. If your zipper is wonky, you’re gone. The scrutiny is tripled because these designers are expected to be at the top of their game.
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Also, the budget for these challenges was significantly higher than the regular seasons, meaning there were no excuses for cheap-looking fabric. If it looked bad, it was purely on the designer's skill, not the resources.
Actionable Takeaways for Fashion Enthusiasts
If you’re a fan of the show or a student of design, there are real lessons to be pulled from re-watching this specific season.
First, look at the fabric manipulation. Michael Costello’s ability to take a flat piece of jersey and turn it into a Grecian goddess gown is a skill every designer should study. It’s about understanding the "hand" of the fabric.
Second, study the editing process. The designers who failed this season were the ones who didn't know when to stop. Jerell Scott, for example, often struggled with "over-designing." He would have a great idea and then add three more ideas on top of it until the original concept was buried. The takeaway? If you have to ask if it’s too much, it probably is.
Finally, observe the evolution of a brand. Compare Austin Scarlett’s work in the first-ever season of Project Runway to his work in All Stars Season 1. He kept his soul but refined his technique. He learned how to make his "fantasy" clothes wearable in a modern market. That’s the hardest balance to strike in fashion.
If you want to dive deeper into the technical side of what made these designs work, you should look into the specific construction of Mondo's finale pieces. His use of negative space in his patterns wasn't just aesthetic; it was a clever way to guide the eye and create a silhouette without traditional seam lines.
The impact of Project Runway All Stars Season 1 is still felt in the way fashion competitions are cast today. It prioritized "characters with talent" over just "talent," and in doing so, it created a blueprint for reality TV that many have tried to copy, but few have mastered.
To truly understand the show's impact, you have to look at where these designers are now. Michael Costello is a household name in Hollywood. Mondo Guerra continues to be a massive advocate and designer in the queer community. Austin Scarlett remains a fixture in bridal and evening wear. They didn't just survive the workroom; they used it as a launchpad for careers that have outlasted the very show that made them famous.
For anyone looking to break into the industry, the biggest lesson from this season is simple: Your "edit" on TV doesn't define your career—your work ethic after the cameras stop rolling does.