Season 11 winner Michelle Lesniak is a self-taught designer who told USA Today, "I just kind of find my goal and I stomp towards it." That said, the longtime Portland resident's confidence ebbed and flowed during the competition. On one hand, she admitted to having been intimidated by her formally trained competitors, but on the other, she asserted, "I'm incredibly tenacious and I work really hard and nothing slays me." Choosing to remain in Portland, rather than relocate to a fashion capital, the designer had some success selling her clothing locally (per The Oregonian). After her win, boutiques were reportedly unable to keep up with the demand for her wares.
Since winning, Lesniak has faced some challenges. Shortly after returning to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of 10 years divorced, albeit amicably (she has since remarried). In 2019, she participated in FashioNXT, which showcases the talent of local designers, but she doesn't seem to have much of a presence in the business since then. During the pandemic, she used her creativity to make uplifting cards that she mailed to anyone who sent her a request for one, and she received several in return.
In a February 2022 Instagram post, she addressed the mean messages she's received since her time on the show. Obviously bewildered by the negativity, she reached out to followers, who responded with staunch support. Hopefully, the positivity she received from fans has boosted her mood.
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