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After surviving nine episodes in style (as of September 23), CIA grad Valerie Mayen ’05 is one of seven remaining contestants on Project Runway Season 8! Make sure to tune in to Lifetime on Thursdays at 9pm EST to watch this talented designer in action.

As one of the final ten Project Runway contestants, Valerie participated in New York Fashion Week. Check out the Plain Dealer’s review of her vibrant, impeccably constructed collection.

Valerie graduated from CIA in Illustration and started her own fashion label, Yellowcake, soon afterward. Working out of her studio space in downtown Cleveland, Valerie designs and makes apparel and accessories for her line.

She is also a Cleveland advocate—winning a number of local fellowships and grants to keep her business alive and grow the fashion industry in northeast Ohio (including a Creative Workforce Fellowship in 2009 and a COSE Arts Business and Innovation Award in 2010).

Valerie is currently one of the top two Project Runway fan favorites—you can help her win the vote by clicking the Facebook “like” button beside her photo on her Project Runway profile.