Wendy Pepper, a fashion designer who competed on two seasons of “Project Runway” has died.
According to a death notice posted in the Washington Post on Friday, Pepper, born Anne Eustis Pepper, died peacefully on Sunday “surrounded by her loving family.”
“We are saddened to hear of the passing of another member of the Project Runway family, designer Wendy Pepper, this year,” Lifetime network said in a statement. “Wendy was one of the original designers that sent creations down the catwalk, paving the way for other designers to come. We wish her family and friends peace during this difficult time.”
Pepper finished in third place on the first season of the Bravo-turned-Lifetime reality competition, losing to Kara Saun and winner Jay McCarroll. She also competed on the second season of “Project Runway All Stars” and was eliminated in the second episode.
Following the show, Pepper sold her designs out of a “small boutique” in Middleburg, Virginia and started a cooking business.
“She was an artist who proudly forged her own path in life. A finalist on season one of Project Runway, Wendy designed and hand-sewed exceptionally beautiful clothes for children and adults,” the death notice read. “She was a chef, a writer, and a life-long entrepreneur. Her wit and humor were unmatched, as was her generosity of spirit.”
“Project Runway” wrapped its 16th season on Thursday, crowning Kentaro Kameyama the winner. Lifetime did not respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Pepper is survived by her parents Anne Livingston Emmet and Charles Willing Pepper, her daughter Finley M. Stewart, and four siblings and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service has been scheduled for Friday, Dec. 1.