Brandon Maxwell

Brandon Maxwell, born September 18, 1984, is an American fashion designer,director, photographer and television personality. He is the founder and creative director of Brandon Maxwell, the luxury women’s ready-to-wear label. Currently, he is a permanent judge for Project Runway starting with Season 17, where he replaced Zac Posen.

Personal life
Maxwell was born in Longview, Texas. His grandmother worked at a boutique in Longview, where he often spent his time. Growing up, Maxwell would put together outfits and photograph his friends wearing them. For high school, he attended Trinity School of Texas in Longview. In 2002, he moved to New York City to study painting at Marymount Manhattan College before graduating from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. Maxwell graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in photocommunications. After graduating, Maxwell returned to New York City to begin working.

Career
Brandon Maxwell dressed Lady Gaga for the 2019 MET Gala. In addition, Michelle Obama, Karlie Kloss, Jennifer Lawrence, Oprah Winfrey, Nicole Kidman, Jane Fonda, Viola Davis, Queen Rania of Jordan, and Kerry Washington, among many others, wear Maxwell's brand. The collection is sold in retail stores around the world, including Saks, Bergdorf Goodman, Moda Operandi, Harvey Nichols, Harrods, and Neiman Marcus. Maxwell was awarded the 2020 AAFA Designer of the Year Award, 2019 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Award for Womenswear, the 2019 FGI Fashion Star Award, the 2019 Texas Medal of Art Award, the 2018 Woolmark New York Semifinal Prize Award, the 2016 Fashion Group International Rising Star Award for Womenswear, the 2016 the CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear, and was named a finalist for the 2016 LVMH Prize.

Since 2018, Maxwell has appeared as a judge on the 2019 re-launch of Project Runway on Bravo as of Season 17.