Project Runway's Joseph McRae Returns With a Story to Tell

Before audiences see Joseph McRae compete on Project Runway Season 22, the Harlem designer wanted supporters to experience something bigger than a television premiere.

They stepped into his world.

At The Joseph McRae Project Runway Premiere Experience, guests were welcomed into an immersive evening celebrating fashion, creativity, and community. The event featured a runway presentation of McRae's latest designs, a pop-up shop showcasing pieces from his collection, and a screening of the new season surrounded by family, friends, fellow creatives and longtime supporters.

Yet despite the bold designs and celebration, Joseph McRae said the night wasn't simply about fashion.

It was about sharing the person behind the brand.

"I feel great," hetold UNWRITTEN Media. "I do a lot of work to create space for people. My whole brand mission is to blur the line between masculinity and femininity, to create a safe space for daring creativity and expression. It's really about giving and inspiring others."

Looking around at the packed room, he reflected on what it meant to receive that same support in return.

"So to be able to create a space for people to celebrate me and pour back into me is just super beautiful."

While viewers may recognize Joseph McRae for his bold aesthetic and unmistakable style, he hopes audiences discover something much deeper this season.

"My story," he said when asked what he wants people to see beyond the designs.

"They already know it's Joseph McRae. They know the brand. They know the aesthetic. They see the energy. They see the clothes. They know exactly who it is. But what a lot of people don't see is the work that I had to put in to get to that place... to be so bold and so audacious."

Then he shared a message that extends well beyond the fashion industry.

"It takes a lot of work to gain that confidence."

Joseph McRae's return to Project Runway carries added significance. During his previous appearance, he made series history as the first designer voted off by fellow contestants. Rather than allowing that moment to define him, he returned with a different mission.

"My main reason for coming back this season was really about showing people the why of Joseph McRae."

That purpose extended beyond the runway.

A portion of the evening's proceeds supported The Hope Center of Harlem, an organization providing free mental health resources to the community. For McRae, supporting mental wellness aligns naturally with the message behind his work.

"When we talk about creating space and being your biggest and boldest self, in order to do that, you have to do the work," he said.

"The Hope Center of Harlem is a free resource... to get those resources and get that help to work on your mental. Because it's not all about the physical and external. It's about the internal. And when they connect, that's when you become a powerhouse."

Throughout the evening, that message came to life. Models transformed the venue into a runway, guests explored Joseph McRae's latest collection at the pop-up experience and supporters celebrated a designer whose work continues to challenge traditional ideas of fashion while encouraging authenticity and self-expression.

As Project Runway Season 22 begins, audiences will undoubtedly notice McRae's creativity and fearless designs.

But if his premiere was any indication, the story he hopes viewers remember isn't just about what he creates.

Because behind every bold design is a story. And this season, Joseph McRae is finally ready to tell his.