Say hello to Ashley Nell Tipton.

Credit: Beto Soto / YouTube / refinery29 / Tumblr
The San Diego native is the season 14 winner of Project Runway.
A post shared by Ashley Nell Tipton (@ashley_nell_tipton) on
Credit: @ashley_nell_tipton / Instagram
Her winning collection, which was inspired by 1950s Mexico City, was featured at New York Fashion Week. Get a closer look at Ashley’s collection here.
Ashley is the first Project Runway winner to focus on creating plus-size clothing.
I wasn't lying when I said this back in high school class of '09
A post shared by Ashley Nell Tipton (@ashley_nell_tipton) on
Credit: @ashley_nell_tipton / Instagram
And she called it when she was in high school! Some people just know what they are meant to do and totally nail it.
Get it, girl!

Credit: Jane the Virgin / CW / ilikeubuturcrazy / Tumblr
READ: How A Plus-Size Latina Model is Using Social Media to Encourage Women to Be Healthy
Ashley’s greatest inspiration is her abuela, who taught her to sew when she was just 7 years old.
https://instagram.com/p/xDRr2OlFPg/
Credit: @ashley_nell_tipton / Instagram
“She taught me how to sew at a young age, and I felt like I had nothing else to lose, so I might as well take this chance,” Ashley told People Magazine about her decision to try out for the show. “I’m very, very glad that I did.”
Just two days before her audition for Project Runway, Ashley’s abuela died.
Credit: @ashley_nell_tipton / Instagram
“I feel like now that she’s gone, I really have nothing to lose and I want to do this for her because she pushed me so much and she always asked me why I’ve never applied for this show,” Ashley said in her application video.
Your abuelita would be so proud of you right now, Ashley.

Credit: Empire / FOX / Empire FOX / Giphy
Don’t mind me. I think I have something in my eye. And now it’s in my other eye.
With the memory of her abuela and determination to change the idea of beauty on Project Runway, Ashley was off to compete.
A post shared by Ashley Nell Tipton (@ashley_nell_tipton) on
Credit: @ashley_nell_tipton / Instagram
“I decided to become a fashion designer when I couldn’t find clothing that was fashionable in my size when growing up,” Ashley told The San Diego Union-Tribune. “The lack of more fashionable and bold clothing for the plus-sized woman inspired me to create what was missing in the plus-size fashion industry.”
READ: Hot, Plus-Size Latinas Redefining Beauty
When the competition got tough, she remembered her abuela and how much she believed in her.
A post shared by Ashley Nell Tipton (@ashley_nell_tipton) on
Credit: @ashley_nell_tipton / Instagram
“I wanted to see how far I could go and here I am today,” Ashley told The San Diego Union-Tribune. “I’m so glad that I did, and I know that my grandmother would be proud!”
Ashley’s whole family played a role in supporting her through this journey.
A post shared by Ashley Nell Tipton (@ashley_nell_tipton) on
Credit: @ashley_nell_tipton / Instagram
And let’s face it, with an awesome Latino family like this, it’s hard to lose.
@timgunn and my mom. Look how cute they are!!! #designerashley #projectrunway #lifetimetv
A post shared by Ashley Nell Tipton (@ashley_nell_tipton) on
Credit: @ashley_nell_tipton / Instagram
Kudos, girl!