Ayana Ife runner-up on Project Runway

Ayana Ife, the hijab-wearing fashion designer with Trini roots, took second place in the Project Runway reality TV series’ 16th season on Thursday night.

Ife went into the finale as one of two favourites. It was not her main rival, Brandon Kee, who got the top prize.

When it mattered most, at New York Fashion Week 2017 (NYFW), it was Japanese Kentaro Kameyama who knocked it out of the park with his collection at the event, wowing judges Nina Garcia, Zac Posen and celebrity judge Jessica Alba in the process.

He just pipped Ife into second place.

Ife said online after the show: “And thats a wrap #projectrunway, I cannot thank you all enough for not only embracing and encouraging my modest fashion perspective, but also, for giving me this platform to showcase my work and reach my fabulous audience.”

She added: “Modest fashion is here to stay! This is a very special chapter of an ever evolving story. Ride with me. Stay tuned, Ayana Ife has major plans.”

She said her next steps include brand deals, manufacturing and “tons” of work.

“To my family, friends, fans, mentors, teachers, supporters, judges, fellow designers, project runway production crew, ranglers, to my precious Tim Gunn...I love you...I love you...I love you... Thank you so much!

“To: Margarita Alvarez, Brandon Kee... forever top 4! Congratulations Kentaro Kameyama for taking the win! PS. I love you too Zacposen.”