For her 11th birthday, Allie Lunt's party theme was Project Runway. Now, just three years later, Lunt's birthday wish came true when she participated in Project Runway Junior, which premiered on December 22.
Lunt attributes her success in the fashion world at such a young age to her faith. "My religion is an important part of who I am and everything I do," Lunt says. "I want the women I design for to feel beautiful—and not to just feel like they are wearing a beautiful dress—but I want them to feel as beautiful as God has created them to be. God creates beautiful things, and I want to recognize the talent He gave me by using it to also create things that are beautiful."
While on the show, Lunt did just that, creating many beautiful designs to meet the show's challenge, including a design that used pool materials as accessories, a fencing-inspired design, a day to night design, a design that incorporated LED lights, and more.
I loved my dress!!! I think my sketch really captured the beautiful @bella.jay ❤! Why do we have to wait a whole week until the next episode?!😞#designerallie #projectrunwayjunior #projectrunway #teendesigner A photo posted by Allie Lunt (@allie_lunt) on Dec 22, 2016 at 9:54pm PST
My look from the second challenge, An Unconventional Pool Party! So glad I was able to finish - the back of the shirt was a mess because I burned my hands really bad with the hot glue guns😓 it was so bad that Tim had to call the medic over. Glad that's over!😅Can't wait for next week's challenge!!! 😂😜 #designerallie #projectrunwayjunior #projectrunway #unconventional #unconventionalpoolparty A photo posted by Allie Lunt (@allie_lunt) on Dec 30, 2016 at 4:26pm PST
So in love with our final look!!! #designerallie #designerchelsea #teamallieandchelsea #projectrunwayjunior #projectrunwayjr #projectrunway #teendesigner A photo posted by Allie Lunt (@allie_lunt) on Jan 6, 2017 at 12:01pm PST
I love it when my sketch comes together with my look. 💕#girlonthego #designerallie #projectrunway #projectrunwayjunior #teendesigner A photo posted by Allie Lunt (@allie_lunt) on Jan 14, 2017 at 1:47pm PST
Here's my final look!!! I'm so proud I was able to finish and still have time for my interview with @chrisneilrusso on the topic of @zacefron 😂💗 #designerallie #projectrunwayjunior #projectrunway #teendesigner A photo posted by Allie Lunt (@allie_lunt) on Jan 19, 2017 at 8:42pm PST
After her sixth challenge, Lunt learned that she would not be continuing on Project Runway Junior after she just barely managed to finish the week's challenge despite burning her hand with a hot glue gun.
But co-host Tim Gunn left Lunt with these sweet words: “Just as important to me as your talent, which is exceptional, you are an amazing individual with beautiful qualities of character. I’m going to miss that part of you.”
That quality was something Lunt's fellow competitors couldn't help but notice as they became what Lunt describes as "instant family."
Though daunting in the fashion world, when Lunt learned one of the other designers was familiar with Mormons, she decided to share her faith. "I knew if anything was coming, I could take it. Yet there was no need. Everyone treated me with the same respect as they always had, and even began asking questions. I was able to share what I believe and answer the questions they had. One of the other designers even commented, 'You know, I don't really go to church anymore, but your religion really seems to work for you.' I could tell from the way they said it that they really respected me for who I was, and knew that I wasn't afraid to share what I believe."
But Lunt's journey is not over, as she just announced she and some of her fellow contestants will be showing their designs at New York Fashion Week:
Dreams really do come true!!! We are so excited to announce that we will be showing at NYFW! Friday, February 10th at the Paper Factory Hotel. Sharing the runway as best friends is insane, right?! Message me if you want to get tickets!!!😉😆💗#designerallie #designermolly #designerruby #projectrunwayjunior #projectrunway #teendesigners #nyfw #nyfw2017 A photo posted by Allie Lunt (@allie_lunt) on Jan 26, 2017 at 1:16pm PST