People: Mar. 20, 2006

KIND COUTURIER

And the next Ralph Lauren is ... a nice gal from Texas? CHLOE DAO, 34, says she was "totally shocked" to be crowned "the next great American designer" by Bravo's fashion reality show Project Runway. Dao, who runs her own boutique in Houston and who wowed the judges with a line of soft, tailored evening wear, beat presumed favorite Daniel Vosovic and unofficial runway villain Santino Rice to win $100,000 for her line and a fashion spread in Elle. "I can't wait to go back in my garage and start cutting," says Dao, who has already heard from Bergdorf...

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