Some work by Korina Emmerich. Photo from Project Runway
A Native fashion designer is competing on Project Runway for the second time in the show's history. Korina Emmerich is a member of the Puyallup Tribe of Washington. She grew up in the Pacific Northwest and started designing at an early age. "The first thing I ever made myself was my Jingle Dress Regalia for powwows," Emmerich said in a Q&A on the Project Runway website. She said she was 13 or 14 at the time. Emmerich, who maintains a presence on Twitter, showed off some Native-inspired designs during her final audition before the show's judges. She won some praise for her work and was selected to be among the 16 contestants for season 13.
Runway look from Korina Emmerich. Photo from Project Runway
She didn't necessarily bring a Native theme for her look on the first runway challenge. But she scored well enough to make it to the next episode. Patricia Michaels of Taos Pueblo was the first Native designer on the show. She made it to the season 11 finale and nearly won the entire competition -- she came in second. Project Runway airs Thursdays on Lifetime at 9/8 Central.
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