There's a lot about Irina Shabayeva that wasn't shown on Project Runway's sixth season. For one, she and Tim Gunn go way back. "My first memory of Tim is from my senior year at Parsons," the 27-year-old recalls. "He was on staff there, and I was in the studio working late with some students. Most of the faculty were gone, but in walks Tim with cookies, just to see how we were doing." Little did Shabayeva know then that five years later, she and Gunn would cross paths again — and the world would be watching.
Now, three months since her crowning episode, Shabayeva has put the past behind her. She's set the record straight on Sweatergate: "It's been so overanalyzed," she says of her claim — in front of the judges — that fellow Runway designer Althea Harper copied her knitwear. Instead, the New Yorker is focusing on the future and avoiding the post-victory slump. "People think that because you won, you can stop working hard. But winning doesn't guarantee success — hard work does, so that's what I'm going to keep doing." As for her portrayal as the season's resident bitch, she takes it in stride. "I was watching a show about Bill Gates, and everyone was saying how no one liked him. I'm like, 'Who cares? He still changed the world!' You're always going to have fans, and you're always going to have haters. You just have to take the best of it and move forward."
Win a one-of-a-kind dress from Irina's Spring 2010 collection!
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
-
Prince William Single-Handedly Planned His and Kate Middleton’s Romantic Honeymoon
Kate had no idea where they were headed on their two week luxurious break from reality until after their 2011 wedding.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Bitten Lips Took Center Stage at Dior Fall 2024 Show
Models at the Dior Fall 2024 show paired bitten lips with bare skin, a beauty trend that will take precedence this season.
By Deena Campbell Published
-
Princess Diana Revealed to a Royal Author the Real Reason Why Her Marriage to Prince Charles Ended Not Long Before She Died in 1997
And no, it apparently wasn’t Camilla Parker-Bowles.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger Published
-
The 78 Best Celebrity Couple Halloween Costumes of All Time
Honestly, we're impressed.
By Charlotte Chilton Published
-
Super Rare Photos of Queen Elizabeth as a Young Woman
From childhood snapshots to portraits as a young princess, beautiful and rare photos of the late Queen Elizabeth as a young woman.
By Mehera Bonner Published
-
King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla's Relationship: A Timeline
With the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles has ascended to the throne as king.
By The Editors Published
-
Who Is Next in Line for the British Throne, Explained
And yes—Harry and Archie are still in the line of succession.
By Andrea Park Published
-
Who Is Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's Fiancé Riley Roberts?
AOC's husband-to-be is an "easygoing redhead" who lives with her in D.C.
By Katherine J. Igoe Published
-
68 Times the Kardashians Posed Fully Nude and Owned It
And we mean fully nude—as in, not a shred of clothing.
By Bianca Rodriguez Published
-
Who Is Jonathan Owens, Simone Biles's Fiancé and NFL Player?
"The easiest yes!" Simone wrote about the couple's engagement.
By The Editors Published