'Project Runway Canada' winner on bringing the fun back to fashion and his love for Jeanne Beker

The “Project Runway Canada” reboot had a lot to live up to, given that the OG iteration is one of the best reality shows Canada has turned out yet.

The new season — hosted by supermodel Coco Rocha, and judged by Rocha along with industry legend Jeanne Beker and designer Spencer Badu — did not disappoint, offering up wild designs, juicy drama and some deliciously catty mentorship from creative director Aurora James.

Toronto had a great showing this season, with all three finalists based in the GTA. Veteran costume designer Leeland Mitchell took the victory last week with his whimsical designs, while Charles Lu and Curtis Matysek were the runners-up. We chatted with Mitchell about his win and his passion for putting the fun back in fashion.

What did you do before getting on the show?

I used to work at a very eccentric dress shop, then a punk-rock goth store, then an incredible fabric store. From there I really felt like I could start designing and I’ve never looked back.

Did you think you’d get in? How did you feel and what did you do when you found out you got on the show?

I mean, I had a feeling, but only because I was so delusional! I really believed I would get on, and felt like this was the perfect opportunity to showcase my message of joy and bringing the fun back to fashion!

What did you consider your secret weapons coming into the competition?

I knew going into the show I would be the fastest sewer. Drag queens really taught me to hone my speed and confidence behind my designs — plus they’re a mess and always last-minute so that helped, too!

What was the most challenging thing to get used to in terms of filming a reality TV show?

Being in front of multiple cameras for 10-plus hours a day. When I first arrived, I felt pretty scared and anxious, but the crew really made it feel like I could let my shoulders down a bit and be myself.

Who were you most excited to interact with?

I have so much undying love and respect for Jeanne Beker. She is fashion mom! I grew up watching “FashionTelevision” and Jeanne was always so welcoming and warm on her show. When I met her in person, it was like meeting an old friend after so many years.

What do you think your biggest misstep was in the competition? What would you have done differently?

Sometimes I relied on my costume backgrounds when I felt stuck. It was hard making garment after garment but also trying to create new shapes and silhouettes exploring this new side of my design work.

What look sums up you in a single outfit?

I really loved the final outfit in my finale collection, the giant pleather gown — very femme Tom of Finland meets 2004 Galliano. I feel like it really represents my personal style, but also pushing myself to be more high-fashion while still maintaining costume elements.

Going into the finale, did you think you would win?

All three collections could have taken it. It was such a tight race to the finish line, I’m just so grateful my collection and my joy stood out to the judges.

What do you plan to do next?

I’m gonna continue to bring joy through my fashion and hopefully make some bigger moves to inspire other people to do the same — let’s bring the fun back to fashion!

Fierce finalists

The finale of “Project Runway Canada” was tension-packed, given that, arguably, any of the final three collections could have snatched the win.

We did a lightning round with the two runners-up, Charles Lu and Curtis Matysek, to hear what competing was like for them.

What was your worst moment on the show?

Curtis: My avant-garde team challenge ensemble from Episode 3. Reflecting back, I wish I had pushed myself harder to create something much more exciting. I have lost sleep over that mustard-yellow skirt and vest.

Charles: Losing. It was probably one of the hardest days I’ve ever had, not just as a designer, but as a person. The experience really broke down my beliefs and challenged what I thought I understood about fashion and success. It tied deeply into my personal mantra that life is not perfect and neither is the journey that leads you to where you are meant to be.

What was your most triumphant moment on the show?

Curtis: I will never forget the feeling of making it into the top three. Staring into Coco Rocha’s piercing eyes, feeling all the blood rush out of my body. I remember immediately collapsing, placing my hands on my knees, and I felt my whole body relax.

Charles: My most triumphant moment was making it to the finale and finally arriving at a place in my life where I could create a collection that told a story larger than myself. Being able to present a body of work that reflected my heritage, my family and my lived experience was incredibly meaningful. The collection was rooted in the story of my parents as Vietnamese refugees and the legacy of resilience, sacrifice and love that shaped who I am today.

What was your funniest moment on set?

Curtis: Something that will always make me chuckle is the nickname (that designer) Little Feather came up with for me, “the Fashion Police.” I would slowly saunter around the workroom in my big black motorcycle boots, making quite an assertive sound as the heels clicked the floor. Little Feather would always go “Uh-oh, here comes the Fashion Police,” as I walked over to the sewing machines. I also had a great time constantly breaking the fourth wall as many times as I could. There is something so comforting about staring directly into the lens of a massive camera.

Charles: Leeland, Curtis and I grew incredibly close. One of my favourite moments was during the finale when we all put on the highest heels we could find in the workroom the day before the runway. Mine were massive platforms. We strutted around, posed, tested walks and laughed as the sounds of stilettos, platforms and sensible heels echoed through the space. Those moments of levity kept me going. The stress was far greater than viewers will ever see and laughter became a form of survival.

What is the No. 1 learning you’ll take away from this experience?

Curtis: I learned to trust myself and my creative vision. So much of my experience being a designer has been shrouded by self-doubt and overthinking. But looking back at my time in the competition, I did the best when I trusted my vision. I spent so much time worrying about my esthetic not being received well by the judges and I was watering myself down to attempt to appeal to them. It wasn’t until I finally started to trust myself more, to take bigger risks, that the judges started to celebrate me. Moving forward, now I am so much more confident in who I am as a designer and I will not be compromising my vision for anyone!

Charles: The biggest lesson I am taking away is that who I am as a designer is not defined by any one opinion. There is space for my voice, even when it does not align with everyone. Fashion is emotional and my designs are an extension of who I am. The right people find meaning in that and those connections are what truly matter.