Project Runway's Nina Garcia Honored at the CFDA Fashion Awards

Bravo's Project Runway's very own Nina Garcia has much to celebrate. The fashion industry icon and ELLE editor-in-chief — who has been a judge on Project Runway since it launched in 2004 — recently took to the stage to accept the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Fashion Award for Best Media.

Nina shared her gratitude in a heartfelt Instagram post, revealing how much the moment meant to her. "As a little girl from Barranquilla, Colombia, I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would receive an honor such as the CFDA Media Award in Honor of Eugenia Sheppard. I am so incredibly grateful," Nina wrote in the caption of her November 10 post, which featured a stunning snapshot of her, elegantly dressed in a Michael Kors Collection ensemble, from the event.

The Project Runway judge also thanked Emily Ratajkowski, who introduced her on stage at the November 10 ceremony, and opened up in a candid speech about her decades spent working as a Latina in fashion and championing for more diversity in fashion journalism.

“As I started out in this industry, I was one of the very few Latinas,” Nina said in her speech, adding, “Today, I am one of the editors-in-chief, and I am proud to see so many faces like mine in this room today. To see more diverse voices reflected in fashion media. And to see more talented individuals being given the space to tell their stories.”

“My mission is so clear,” she continued. “Now, more than ever, it is important to use our platform to tell stories that uplift other women and to have conversations that might not be so comfortable. We must be bold; we must be courageous; and we certainly must herald in a new age of fashion, one that is transparent, responsible, and representative.”

Project Runway airs Thursdays at 9/8c. And you can catch up on Project Runway the next day on Peacock.