Under The Needle: Inside Canada’s Most Intense Fashion Showdown With Designer Catherine Préfontaine

Every Friday, the stakes rise and the designs get sharper. With Project Runway Canada bringing a new wave of creativity to screens across the country, we’re diving behind the seams with the designers who dared to put everything on the line. VITA‘s exclusive interview series with the talented contestants explores the pressure, the process, and the passion behind the collections—revealing what really happens when talent meets a ticking clock. —Noa Nichol

Looking back at your time on Project Runway Canada, what moment or challenge best represents who you are as a designer — and why?

I would definitely say the Joe Fresh challenge, because it allowed me to show my creativity and problem-solving skills through the construction of the garment, making the transition work and creating the right element of surprise on stage. That’s something I truly love, creating a show through fashion.

The pressure in the workroom can bring out big breakthroughs or big lessons. What did the competition reveal about your creative process that you didn’t know before stepping onto the show?

I went into it feeling almost invincible, convinced that I was resourceful enough to handle anything and able to execute all my ideas exactly as I imagined them. The reality was very different. Between the stress and the constant constraints – time, materials, and tools – things didn’t always go as planned. I also pushed myself to try techniques and patterns I had never tested before, which wasn’t always the best decision in that context. Looking back, I should have played it safer.

Every designer leaves with a signature moment. What do you hope viewers remember you for — whether it was a look, a risk you took, or something more personal?

I hope they remember my two-in-one winning look, because it was the one closest to my aesthetic and most representative of my brand.

Runway aside, the show brings together so many different personalities and perspectives. How did the relationships you formed—whether supportive or competitive—shape your experience?

I was really grateful for the group of competitors I was part of. There was a strong sense of support between all of us, and the atmosphere felt very Canadian in the best way, kind, respectful, and caring toward one another.

Now that you’ve left the competition, what’s next? Is there a project, collection, or direction you’re excited to pursue that was inspired by your time on the show?

I’m going to surf the wave of the show and take my brand Maison Prefontaine to the next level. The upcoming collection will be available this spring, follow my journey at @maisonprefontaine!