“I might not be the winner, but I am a winner,” the 25-year-old said during the show.
With her sportswear collection inspired by 1950s and 1960s sci-fi movies, Harper placed second behind her ‘archenemy,’ Irina Shabayeva.
Shabayeva nabbed a Paris vacation, a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine and $100,000 to start her own line.
Carol Hannah Whitfield came in third.
Harper, a graduate of the University of Cincinnati School of Design, said the show has meant great exposure for her designs. She currently works for designer Tory Burch.
Her sister, boyfriend, parents and a friend were in New York for the live runway finale.
Christina Harper of Oakwood said watching her daughter’s performance was a fabulous experience. Before watching the taped version of the show’s finale at a friend’s home in Kettering, Christina said she was pleasantly surprised her daughter made it to the finals.
“I knew she had the talent, but you never know how these things are going to go,” the elder Harper said, noting she is impressed by Althea’s abilities.
“I see her talent and think ‘wow, she sure is good,’ ” Christina said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2384 or arobinson@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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