Anthony Williams Jr

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Anthony L. Williams Jr (born c. 1981 in Birmingham) is a freelance designer and a former contestant on season 7 of "Project Runway", a television show which pit aspiring fashion designers against each other in judged competitions.

Williams is the son of Stephanie D. Williams and a first cousin of Birmingham Police Chief A. C. Roper. He grew up in the Cooper Green Homes and Loveman Village public housing projects and in Titusville and was interested in fashion design since childhood. He attended Elyton Elementary School and Washington Middle School before graduating from Minor High School. He worked as a bridal consultant at David's Bridal before enrolling in the fashion program at the University of Alabama. He financed his education by making and selling prom and party dresses and founded the program's "Rock the Runway" student fashion show before he graduated in 2007 with a bachelor of arts in apparel and textile design. His thesis collection, entitled "Aurora Borealis" for the crystal of the same name, features a pastel palette and elaborate necklines, often studded with crystals.

Williams has worked as a salesman at Neiman Marcus in Atlanta, Georgia, supporting his mother who has had health problems. He now works as a freelance designer with a showroom in Atlanta's Inman Park neighborhood. He hopes in the future to become an official gown designer for the Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants. His "Shamala" collection was produced in 2008 for the CP Fusao boutique in Atlanta's Buckhead district. It was also inspired by jewel tones, using rich-colored charmeuse and organza to elaborate on aesthetic inspiration from India.

During the course of Project Runway, Williams was nearly eliminated twice early in the season, but rebounded by winning a week five challenge to design a dress for Heidi Klum to wear on the cover of Marie Claire magazine. He was eliminated from the show in week 10 of the series, finishing in 7th place among 16 contestants. He was invited to return after the departure of another contestant, but was eliminated on the same week.

After leaving the program, Williams returned to his own showroom. He accepted offers to blog for Lifetime.com and to design costumes for the VH1 sitcom "Drop Dead Dive", centering on a group of single women in Atlanta.

The gown worn by Dianne Bentley to her husband's inaugural ball was one of Williams' designs.

Williams created styles for VH1's Single Ladies and in 2012 appeared on the show as himself.

References

  • Guster, Chanda Temple (January 16, 2010) "Birmingham native Anthony L. Williams Jr. a Project Runway contestant." The Birmingham News
  • Guster, Chanda Temple (February 28, 2010) "Anthony L. Williams Jr. is a hit with "Project Runway" fans." The Birmingham News
  • Guster, Chanda Temple (March 26, 2010) "Anthony L. Williams Jr. bumped from "Project Runway"." The Birmingham News
  • Guster, Chanda Temple (April 27, 2010) "Birmingham's Anthony L. Williams Jr. discusses life after 'Project Runway'." The Birmingham News
  • Temple, Chanda (June 25, 2012) "Birmingham's Anthony L. Williams will appear on VH1's 'Single Ladies' tonight." The Birmingham News

External links