BOSTON, MA — [October 2025] — The Runway Ball, Boston’s signature fashion gala blending couture, culture, and community, is bringing television fame and homegrown talent to the stage this winter. The event’s producers announced that Project Runway standouts Angelo Rosa and Madeline Malenfant will make their official New England return as featured designers in Season 3, joining headliner and Braintree native Michael DePaulo for the December 14 show at the Hilton Boston Park Plaza.
Set against the dramatic theme of Dark Romance, this year’s Runway Ball promises an evening that merges high fashion, live performance, and philanthropy, with a portion of proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Now in its third year, the show continues to elevate Boston’s creative identity, positioning the city as an emerging hub for fashion innovation and artistry.
For Rosa and Malenfant, both now living in NYC, their inclusion in the lineup marks an emotional homecoming. Rosa, a Providence native; and current head designer for Cult of Individuality in Times Square, is celebrated for his bold fusion of streetwear and luxury tailoring. He said returning to the region feels like a full-circle moment. “Coming back to New England with my collection feels like returning to the people who first believed in me,” he said. “The Runway Ball is unlike anything else out there, and I’m honored to bring my work to a stage that celebrates both creativity and culture.”
Malenfant, whose designs are currently featured at Cafe Forgot in NYC, grew up on Nantucket and built her name with island-inspired couture. She echoed the sentiment of her Project Runway castmate, “I’ve shown in New York and Los Angeles, but there’s nothing like showing in your original backyard,” she said. “New England has such a distinct sense of identity — elegant, classic, and a little rebellious — and that spirit runs through every piece I design.”
For Amanda Vargus, co-founder and executive producer of The Runway Ball, adding two more nationally recognized designers returning home (DePaulo also now resides in NYC) underscores what the show was created to achieve. “Our goal from day one has been to make Boston a legitimate stop on the national fashion circuit,” she said. “Having both Angelo and Madeline come home — fresh off the global spotlight of Project Runway — proves that the fashion talent born here can compete anywhere.”
Matt Ribaudo, publisher of BostonMan Magazine and co-producer of the event, added that their participation reinforces the show’s growing cultural weight. “These are not just TV personalities,” he said. “They’re serious designers with incredible creative instincts and authentic voices representing the next generation of fashion leadership on a global scale. The energy they’ll bring to our stage this year is going to be unmatched.”
Jimmie Espo, founder of The 617 Event Group and also a co-producer with The Runway Ball said that as the talent continues to elevate, so too, will the levels of theatrics and production. “I love how this show is taking shape,” he said adding that although he couldn’t get into details yet guests can “start preparing to be blown away by this season’s production.”
Celebrated Project Runway host Heidi Klum agrees, praising both Angelo and Madeline as part of her Season 21 cast for being “unique, original, proud, and authentic in their work.”
“I love seeing designers from Project Runway go back to their roots and share their talent and diversity with their communities,” the 6x Emmy nominated host noted. “That’s the most fun thing for me to be a part of with the Project Runway alumni designers.”
Founded in 2022 by BostonMan Magazine, Wave + Woven, and The 617 Event Group, The Runway Ball has rapidly evolved into one of Boston’s most anticipated annual shows, known for its theatrical runway showcases, celebrity guests, and commitment to giving back. This year’s show will feature six designer collections, live music, immersive décor, and an atmosphere that merges luxury with emotion — perfectly capturing the “Dark Romance” motif.
The third annual Runway Ball will take place on Saturday, December 14, 2025, in the Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Boston Park Plaza. Tickets are available now at www.TheRunwayBall.com.
About The Runway Ball
The Runway Ball is an annual celebration of fashion, artistry, and philanthropy. Founded in Boston in 2022, the event unites established and emerging designers with live music, performance, and community impact — all while supporting causes like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
