Project Runway Season 12 winner Dom Streater making it work (Photo by Barbara Nitke / A+E Networks)

While it’s no secret that West Philadelphia is a neighborhood of stars, it was confirmed last night when Dominique “Dom” Streater won season 12 of Project Runway.

Throughout the season, the 24-year-old local fashion designer, who was born and raised on 58^th and Chestnut Streets (“a really nice community to grow up in,” she said), captivated the judges with her juxtaposition of competing patterns and bold colors. And her collection shown on last night’s Project Runway finale was no different—appropriately titled “Retro Redux,” Streater’s runway show at New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week was a vibrant explosion of cool blues and purples intercut with contour shapes that oozed luxury and sophistication.

It’s an edgy trademark look that defines her trend du jour line, the Halcyon Clothing Collection, which she currently designs out of her home in Overbrook. But, as Project Runway’s latest winner, Streater will have the opportunity to launch her next collection with the help of a sizeable prize package, which includes $150,000 furnished by GoBank, state-of-the-art products from HP and Brother Sewing and Embroidery, and a $50,000 styling contract with L’Oreal Paris (among other goodies).

Before last night’s season finale aired, West Philly Local had a chance to chat with Streater, a graduate of Moore College of Art and Design, about making it to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, what defines West Philly fashion, and building her brand in her hometown.

West Philly Local: How does it feel to make it to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week?

Dom Streater: It was an incredible feeling being able to go to Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and be able to have a show for the first time. It was an incredible feeling especially because it was my very first official show, which was awesome.

WPL: How confident were you during the competition that you would make to Fashion Week? 

DS: I was very confident that I would make it Fashion Week when I went on a show. That was my objective and I had that in mind the entire time I was there. I was always saying to myself, ‘[Fashion] Week, Fashion Week, Fashion Week!’

Dom Streater‘s butterfly-inspired avant garde design for Project Runway‘s twelfth challenge (Photo by Barbara Nitke / A+E Networks)

WPL: Philadelphia fashion seems influenced by street culture and couture, with a lot of bold colors, bold prints and mixed textures—elements very present in your designs during the Project Runway challenges. Would you say your fashion style is quintessential Philadelphia fashion or is a blend of different styles?

DS: My personal style is definitely a blend of Philly Fashion and also fashion from lots of other cultures. I’m always influenced by my environment around me, and I try to make really vibrant and celebratory [to] make it very fashion forward and chic!

WPL: How would you describe West Philadelphia fashion?

DS: West Philadelphia fashion is very laid-back and also takes into mind the trends and everyone makes it their own. I love [it] so [much] because fashion is such a huge influence here with our youth…

WPL: You named fellow Philadelphian and Project Runway season 1 winner Jay McCaroll as one of your favorite past Project Runway designers. What is it about his work that you love? And since you both live in the city, have you’ve been in touch?

DS: I always love Jay’s use of mixing vibrantly cut it colors and different types of fabric to make a really unique clothing. And yes we do keep in touch—I’m actually meeting him for coffee next week!

WPL: There were many challenges this season were you were on top, but didn’t win. How did you feel about those moments? 

DS: Every time I was on top but my look wasn’t chosen, I didn’t take it personally. I knew that It was completely business and I just took it as a learning lesson on the runway that way I can know what to do better next time.

WPL: What are your ultimate fashion goals?  

DS: Ultimately, I would like to build my name as a brand and have my own self-named clothing line based here in Philly, then eventually having locations all around the world!

–Annamarya Scaccia