This article contains spoilers on who was eliminated from season three of Project Runway Canada, episode one.
By Michele Yeo
And sew it begins. A new season of Project Runway Canada is underway with 12 talented designers from across the country competing to create catwalk ready couture and vying for the title of Canada’s Next Great Designer.
After an initial two-season run in the mid 2000s, the competition series has returned with model Coco Rocha serving as host and judge. She’s joined at the judges panel by legendary fashion journalist Jeanne Beker and designer Spencer Badu, while fellow designer Aurora James acts as the show’s mentor.
Episode one kicked off with a bang with the competitors challenged to get creative with denim on denim, putting their own injeanious and high fashion spins on the classic Canadian Tuxedo, giving them two days from initial sketch to catwalk debut.
While the judges were taken with the designs of Leeland, Curtis, and Maya with Leeland winning the challenge, they were less enthusiastic about the creations of Naimo, Foster, and Naomi with Naomi’s bolero jacket and patchwork strapless dress ultimately getting the Winnipeg designer sent home. Spencer called her design “confusing” and guest judge Jason Wu said it “fell short.”
Each week 29Secrets will be interviewing the eliminated designers. In an interview with Naomi, she admitted she let her nerves get the best of her when it came to coming up with a daring denim design.
You seemed confident at first when the denim challenge was first revealed, what do you think happened?
I was extremely confident in nailing this challenge! From the beginning I was humbled by the icons surrounding me that I was to compete with, but never did I imagine I would be the look going home first, especially with this challenge. Denim and patch working has always been my niche, but for my design career I’ve so far had amazing mentors reassuring me through my design process and without this, I lacked confidence on my own. Between feeling intimidated by the other competitors and doubting my capabilities, I got in my head and spiraled. Honourable mention though that I still showed up and produced a look despite all the tears it took to get there.
Do you agree you should have been eliminated?
Not in the slightest. I spent hours in my head fighting back tears, searching my soul for motivation to push through the intimidation and intensity I felt. I made an undeniably creative look, and I turned regular pairs of jeans into a reimagined patchwork feminine mosaic. Could I have done a better job looking back? Of course, but regardless, I think I deserved to be given more time. The challenge was HIGH FASHION, not evening cocktail. I delivered high fashion.
What’s the experience like having to create a design in two days? How stressful is it?
WOW. Never in my life have I made, conceptualized, and designed a full look in that amount of time. I am still impressed that I did. To force yourself to be creative on the spot and make something happen in that moment is extremely difficult and it all comes down to fighting that self-doubt and believing in myself. I swear I could feel every cell in my body, and as you could see, loudly expressed by stress and I wore it on my face!
How stiff is the competition on the show?
The competition on the show is at the highest caliber. We all saw those looks on the runway. These people have dedicated their lives to being fashion designers and deserve all the praise for what they’re producing on this show. It’s hard to feel upset by being around that level of talent, even though it is overwhelming because these are the kindest, most encouraging people. I feel so proud of all of them. Yes, they are talented enough to get me eliminated, but I’m so happy for them getting to have their moment too and show off the stars they are!
Who do you think is the one to watch this season?
Super tough question, but I think that we know Charles and Leeland are top performers. They execute creativity and construction to an insane level. Like I feel that they must be possessed by some design goblin or something cause it’s incredible their work. HOWEVER, do not underestimate Cat. That girl’s designs are incredibly impressive and she pulls off hard, detailed work, in what feels like seconds. I can’t see what else she’s going to make. That girl could dress me every day of my life.
Describe your experience on Project Runway Canada
My experience was a whirlwind. I frequently felt like I might disintegrate from all the pressure. Each day was extremely difficult and euphoric just to know I made it. I cried, I laughed, I joked, I swore, and I felt brought down to my most raw form making me understand myself more. It was the most empowering time of my life, and I’ve never believed in myself more than I do now having been on the show. I would live in a Project Runway Canada alternate reality forever if I could! I also ate a lot of sushi, so that was a bonus.
New episodes of season three of Project Runway Canada stream on Crave every Friday until the finale on Friday, January 16, 2026.
Follow all of our weekly Project Runway Canada interviews for season three right here.
