PROJECT RUNWAY | TALK SERIES

candice cuoco

Candice Cuoco is an American fashion designer who finished as a finalist on Season 14 of Project Runway and has been on the sixth season of Project Runway All Stars, where she finished in 12th Place. She is a luxury leather womenswear label that pushes guidelines and embodies the woman with strength. Step outside of society’s guidelines and DRESS TO CONQUER. CANDICE CUOCO has appeared on-schedule at Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week, as well as at London, Paris and Los Angeles Fashion Weeks. Her work has also been featured in Vogue, ELLE, Marie Claire, and Glamour magazines, and was on the cover of Diablo magazine.

In 2015 Candice was a finalist on the 14th season of Project Runway, during which she won multiple challenges and was regularly selected as a top designer. The San Francisco Fashion Awards have honored Candice as “Designer of the Year”, “Best Emerging Designer”, and “Most Stylish”. Her work has been worn by numerous celebrities, on the red carpet at award shows and premieres, and featured in several music videos.

Since 2016, CANDICE CUOCO has operated out of Los Angeles, with a 2,300 square foot showroom/studio space in DTLA’s fashion district located at 1108 South Los Angeles Street.

Melissa fLEIS

Originally hailing from Michigan, Melissa has been living happily in design-centric California for over ten years. After obtaining her BA from the University of Michigan, she later went on to pursue her MFA in fashion design from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.

Melissa started her business creating custom leather jackets for private clients which she continues to design today, earning her a loyal customer base. She's been able to scale her business to incorporate that uniquely personal, artisanal custom touch in her ready-to-wear line, designed and produced exclusively in Los Angeles.

Meticulously selecting raw materials that feel as pleasing to the body as they are to the eye, Melissa strives to create a series of core, integral pieces that can be seamlessly combined from day to night - and for years to come.

Melissa's vision translates across multiple mediums, and she is continually sought out for design partnership opportunities; including hospitality uniform design and private label work. She's apprenticed as a pattern maker and cutter in Italy for well-known fashion designer Alessandra Marchi and was selected to participate in Lifetime’s Project Runway season 10, where she advanced to show her collection as second runner-up at Mercedes Benz fashion week. Melissa later returned to New York City to compete on Project Runway All Stars, seasons 3 and 6.

JENNI RICCETTI

Born and raised in San Francisco, Jenni Riccetti developed her love for sewing at the young age of seven. By age nine, she received her very first sewing machine from her parents. With the constant support of family and friends, Jenni has continued to blossom as a confident young designer. 

With Riccetti Clothing, Jenni is following in the footsteps of her late Grandfather, Alberto Riccetti, a master tailor from southern Italy. The clothing line is designed and hand-sewn by Jenni in her San Francisco studio. She sources the finest fabrics to create the highest quality products. Every piece is created with time, care, and passion to ensure that everyone can live the comfortable, unique, and contemporary lifestyle of Riccetti Clothing.

You may have also seen Jenni Riccetti on Season 15 of Project Runway! 

Project Runway

on Lifetime