The Big Break: Fashion Contest Winners

Rising stars who have appeared on fashion TV shows.

Yaya DaCosta - Born in Harlem, NY the multi-ethnic beauty finished second on the third cycle of America's Next Top Model and went on to appear in a variety of beauty advertisements. Not one to slow her roll, DaCosta has launched a successful acting career, appearomg in various TV and film projects--including the Oscar-nominated The Kids Are All Right. (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

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Yaya DaCosta - Born in Harlem, NY the multi-ethnic beauty finished second on the third cycle of America's Next Top Model and went on to appear in a variety of beauty advertisements. Not one to slow her roll, DaCosta has launched a successful acting career, appearomg in various TV and film projects--including the Oscar-nominated The Kids Are All Right. (Photo: Brad Barket/PictureGroup)

Toccara Jones - Considered one of America's Next Top Model's most recognizable faces, Toccara Jones was launched into the national spotlight when she won "Covergirl of the Week" five times on the show. Since then she has become a plus-size icon and an inspiration for women everywhere.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

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Toccara Jones - Considered one of America's Next Top Model's most recognizable faces, Toccara Jones was launched into the national spotlight when she won "Covergirl of the Week" five times on the show. Since then she has become a plus-size icon and an inspiration for women everywhere.(Photo: Frank Micelotta/PictureGroup)

Chloe Dao - Educated at NY's Fashion Institute of Technology, Chloe Dao gained national recognition as the second winner of Project Runway. Included in her victory prize was a mentorship with Banana Republic and $100,000 to start her own company. She has since launched the women's line, Dao Chloe Dao.(Photo: Chad Buchanan/Getty Images For One Scottsdale)

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Chloe Dao - Educated at NY's Fashion Institute of Technology, Chloe Dao gained national recognition as the second winner of Project Runway. Included in her victory prize was a mentorship with Banana Republic and $100,000 to start her own company. She has since launched the women's line, Dao Chloe Dao.(Photo: Chad Buchanan/Getty Images For One Scottsdale)

Santino Rice - Also an alum of Project Runway, Rice was a runner-up on the second season, finishing behind Chloe Dao. Undaunted, he has continued to remain in the spotlight with appearances on a variety of reality TV shows and shared hosting duties on his own show, On the Road with Austin and Santino.(Photo: Brian Dowling/PictureGroup)

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Santino Rice - Also an alum of Project Runway, Rice was a runner-up on the second season, finishing behind Chloe Dao. Undaunted, he has continued to remain in the spotlight with appearances on a variety of reality TV shows and shared hosting duties on his own show, On the Road with Austin and Santino.(Photo: Brian Dowling/PictureGroup)

Korto Momolu - This Liberian-born designer made her mark on Project Runway's 5th season with her bold use of African-inspired fabrics and prints. Since her appearance on the show she has launched a line of eco-friendly jewelry, unveiled her collection at New York Fashion week and designed a hand bag for the National Food Bank for New York. (Photo: WENN.com)

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Korto Momolu - This Liberian-born designer made her mark on Project Runway's 5th season with her bold use of African-inspired fabrics and prints. Since her appearance on the show she has launched a line of eco-friendly jewelry, unveiled her collection at New York Fashion week and designed a hand bag for the National Food Bank for New York. (Photo: WENN.com)

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Kara Saun - Saun has parlayed her Project Runway appearance to garner a reputation as one of the premier costume designers in the country. Her work has been seen on the likes of Heidi Klum, Vanessa Williams, Jamie Foxx, Zoe Saldana, Mario Lopez, and more.  (Photo: WENN.com)

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Kara Saun - Saun has parlayed her Project Runway appearance to garner a reputation as one of the premier costume designers in the country. Her work has been seen on the likes of Heidi Klum, Vanessa Williams, Jamie Foxx, Zoe Saldana, Mario Lopez, and more.  (Photo: WENN.com)

Adrianne Curry - The America's Next Top Model alum has gone on to model in magazines such as Maxim, US Weekly, People and even Playboy. Her fashion work includes Ed Hardy, Macys' and Merit Diamonds.(Photo: Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)

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Adrianne Curry - The America's Next Top Model alum has gone on to model in magazines such as Maxim, US Weekly, People and even Playboy. Her fashion work includes Ed Hardy, Macys' and Merit Diamonds.(Photo: Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)

Christian Siriano - Winner of Project Runway's fourth season, Siriano received praise from the likes of Victoria Beckham and Tim Gunn, the latter of whom went so far as to label him "this generation's Marc Jacobs." (Photo: Gregg DeGuire/MTV/PictureGroup)

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Christian Siriano - Winner of Project Runway's fourth season, Siriano received praise from the likes of Victoria Beckham and Tim Gunn, the latter of whom went so far as to label him "this generation's Marc Jacobs." (Photo: Gregg DeGuire/MTV/PictureGroup)

Eva Pigford - This Ford model gained recognition during the thrid cycle of America's Next Top Model. She has since entered the entertainment industry with roles in The Young and the Restless, Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Smallville. (Photo: Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)

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Eva Pigford - This Ford model gained recognition during the thrid cycle of America's Next Top Model. She has since entered the entertainment industry with roles in The Young and the Restless, Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Smallville. (Photo: Gregg DeGuire/PictureGroup)

Mychael Knight - Born in Germany and raised in the States, Knight entered the fashion industry after studying in Atlanta, GA. He debut his self-titled line during BET's Rip the Runway in 2007. (Photo: Moses Robinson/PictureGroup)

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Mychael Knight - Born in Germany and raised in the States, Knight entered the fashion industry after studying in Atlanta, GA. He debut his self-titled line during BET's Rip the Runway in 2007. (Photo: Moses Robinson/PictureGroup)