Guest judges strutting down the runway this season to see who has the skills to make it to the end include Catherine Zeta-Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, Dita Von Teese, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Rebecca Minkoff, Danielle Brooks, Olivia Culpo, Rosie Perez, RuPaul, Kelly Osbourne, Karolina Kurkova, Kasey Musgraves, and “Project Runway’s” Nina Garcia and Zac Posen.
Haitian-American Miami native Merline Labissiere who was on Project Runway Season 14 and placed 5th is back. Merline has been busy working hard in the studio while teaching fashion design to inner-city kids, every day since. Merline is proud of her heritage, she loves to combine Haitian-inspired bold colors and patterns with American-influenced structure into her garments.
So what have Merline been up to since her last time on the show?
Since “Project Runway,” I got the opportunity to be part of the SCAD Alumni Atelier (an artist in residence) program that further enabled me to enhance my perspective as a conceptual artist. I later moved back to my hometown, Miami, FL, where I have been able to continue with my non-profit, Provoke Style Fashion Camp. I made a lot of changes to seek and find a deeper purpose as a designer and what I want to convey to the world. I now spend my time creating couture-architecture avant-garde glamor pieces. In Spring 2016, I showcased my work during both New York and Los Angeles Fashion Week. I have traveled back to Savannah, GA on multiple occurrences to participate in speaking engagements. Most recently, I was invited to display a capsule collection form Bloomingdales in Orlando, FL. I have now begun designing one of a kind bridal pieces. I love this season that I am in. It helped me remember my true purpose as a designer. I have found my voice as a conceptual artist who merge fashion and architecture with a signature of classic glamour.
Continue reading her interview here.
