FACES 2 WATCH: LRÉ THE ARTIST FROM PROJECT RUNWAY

Featuring LRÉ the Artist of Toyin LaTour, Interview by Maya Davila

LRÉ the Artist, 31, doesn't limit herself to a single medium. Whether she's designing garments, building installations, sculpting, or creating immersive sound experiences, every project begins with the same instinct: to tell a story. From Greenbelt, MD, and now residing in Los Angeles, she taught herself how to sew while serving in the U.S. Air Force; she transformed an unexpected hobby into the foundation of her fashion label, Toyin LaTour. Ahead of her appearance on Season 22 of Project Runway, we caught up with the multidisciplinary artist to discuss creative curiosity, self-taught beginnings, and the freedom that comes from following an idea, wherever it may lead.

Maya Davila: Every designer has an origin story. What first made you fall in love with fashion?

Lara Odupitan, LRÉ the Artist: Funny enough, I actually don’t remember! The closest memory I have of my actual reason for picking up fashion as a hobby was just simply wanting to have cooler clothes [laughs]. But I really don’t remember what made me decide to finally buy a sewing machine and just do it. A lot of times when I want something, I do think it through, but this was one of those moments where I impulsively decided to execute a decision [laughs].

MD: Your brand speaks a lot about authenticity and representing who you are as an individual. What does that philosophy mean to you beyond the garments?

LRÉ: As a black queer woman, I’ve spent a lot of my life living in my more masculine presentation, and I find that no matter what energy I choose to live in—masculine or feminine—my confidence is always rooted in understanding who I am at my core and not letting other people’s opinions alter how I see or feel about myself. That’s what helps me carry my confidence in any form, and I want to be able to do that for others. This is why my garments are unisex, because they transform with energy. They are meant to bring out the best side of you in whatever form or presentation you desire.

MD: When did you realize fashion design could become your creative medium?

LRÉ: When I was in the Air Force, I picked up a lot of hobbies, including fashion design. I learned how to sew by watching YouTube, and once I had a decent amount of garments, I did my first showcase at a UC Davis fashion show. Everyone fell in love with my designs, and I honestly felt like a celebrity; I was the only designer there who had made all their garments from scratch. The response to my designs was overwhelmingly positive, and that was the first time I realized it was something I was naturally good at.

MD: What emotions or conversations do you hope people have when they wear/see one of your pieces?

LRÉ: I hope people are impressed by my ability to blend avant-garde and streetwear. I want people to feel powerful in my garments. This is why they have really strong shapes and silhouettes. A lot of my garments are heavy because the experience of that extra weight and non-traditional fabric creates a physical connection between the wearer and the garment. Things that you connect with on an emotional and physical level are the things that impact our lives.

MD: How has your personal identity shaped the brand you’ve built?

LRÉ: It’s the foundation of the brand I’ve built. A big part of my journey has been learning to be comfortable in my own skin and embracing every part of who I am. Through my work, I want to create that same feeling for others, to make garments that help people feel confident, powerful, and unapologetically themselves. Toyin LaTour is not just about clothing; it’s about creating pieces that allow people to express their identity and feel seen.

MD: What’s a creative risk you’ve taken recently that paid off? 

LRÉ: One of the biggest creative risks I’ve taken was investing everything I had into producing my own fashion show in November of 2025. I put every last dime into bringing my vision to life, even though there was no guarantee of what would come from it. It was a huge risk, especially because it was a free show, but it became a turning point in my career. That experience pushed me into a new level of confidence, introduced my work to new audiences, and changed the trajectory of my journey as a designer.

MD: What made this the right moment in your career to join Project Runway?

LRÉ: I think this was the right moment in my career because I finally reached a place where I felt ready to share my work with the world. I’ve been designing for 12 years, and for years I’ve focused on developing my craft, refining my vision, and building a body of work that truly represented who I am as an artist. I didn’t want to rush the process. I wanted to make sure that when I stepped onto a platform like Project Runway, I had a strong point of view and a collection I was proud to stand behind!

The timing felt right because I had a story to tell. Project Runway gave me the opportunity to challenge myself, grow as a designer, and introduce my perspective to a larger audience.

MD: What challenged you the most about stepping into that environment? Did the experience change how you see yourself as a designer/artist?

LRÉ: The biggest challenge was stepping into an environment where I had to trust myself completely. Project Runway pushes you to create under pressure, make decisions quickly, and constantly adapt while surrounded by other incredibly talented designers. Being someone used to having time to fully develop my ideas, learning to embrace the unexpected was a challenge that ultimately helped me grow.

The experience definitely changed how I see myself as a designer and artist. It reminded me that my creativity isn’t limited by my resources, my environment, or the amount of time I have. I walked away with a deeper confidence in my ability to problem-solve, take risks, and trust my instincts. It showed me that I’m capable of more than I sometimes give myself credit for.

MD: What do you hope viewers understand about you that isn’t immediately obvious from watching the show?

LRÉ: That I want to challenge myself to create in ways I’ve never been able to before. Having access to the resources and opportunities provided during the show allowed me to push beyond the limitations I’ve previously had and explore new levels of creativity. I wanted to see what I’m capable of when I have the tools, time, and environment to fully bring my ideas to life and unlock a new level of design within myself.

MD: Fashion is moving faster than ever. How do you stay connected to your own voice instead of chasing trends?

LRÉ: Following trends is not something I’ve ever done or considered. The way that I create and challenge myself is rooted in the elements of design that are most important to me. I try not to let trends influence what I create because it takes away from the artistry, and I don’t create products.

MD: What’s one dream project or collaboration that’s still on your vision board? 

LRÉ: My dream collab would be a joint collection with Robert Wun. It’s very apparent that he challenges himself to elevate the same elements that I find important in fashion design. A lot of his work from 2022 has this high-fashion, avant-garde streetwear energy that feels both innovative and intentional. It's a level of elevation that I aspire to. I hope he brings that back soon.

MD: What’s something you’ve refused to compromise on, even when it would’ve made things easier?

LRÉ: One thing I’ve refused to compromise on is staying true to my creative vision. There have been times when making things simpler, faster, or more commercially accessible would have been the easier path, but I’ve always believed that the meaning behind the work is what makes it valuable.

Photo Credits: Chris Gamez, LRÉ the Artist, & Project Runway

Project Runway, Season 22, is now live on Freeform on Thursday nights and available for next-day streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.