Fashion designer Patricia Michaels of Taos Pueblo is making history on Project Runway.

Michaels is the first Native American to compete on the show, now in its 11th season. She hopes to encourage other Native designers.

“It’s about time Natives get out of our comfortable spots and go forward to other venues,” Michaels told The Santa Fe New Mexico.

Michaels spent about six weeks in New York City filming the show last summer. The season premieres January 24 on Lifetime.

“I learned a lot about my strengths and weaknesses, and that it’s best to get a fresh palette by being around people in the industry who really know what fashion is about," Michaels told the New Mexican.

Get the Story:
From Taos to 'Project Runway': Native designer makes history on reality show (The Santa Fe New Mexican 1/14)
Ready for TV (The Albuquerque Journal 1/12)
Native Runway (The Santa Fe Reporter 1/12)

Related Stories:
Patricia Michaels brings Project Runway to Taos Pueblo home (1/10)
Pueblo fashion designer slated to compete on Project Runway (1/9)