"If I died tomorrow, I'd be proud of myself. If I died straight after 'Project Runway,' I would not be proud of myself," former contestant Vanessa Riley tells USA TODAY.

Not winning "Project Runway" was the best thing to ever happen to Kara Saun.

For the 58-year-old fashion designer and 11 others, being part of 2004's inaugural season of the design competition series cemented their place in fashion reality television history.

Though Kara Saun was Season 1's runner-up, the Los Angeles-based designer tells USA TODAY "Project Runway" has been the highlight of her career and she's glad she didn't walk away with the top prize.

"I would have taken the money and then I would have embarked on a different path in my life," Kara Saun reflects.

Two decades later, "Project Runway" remains on t

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