The twins, Claire and Shawn Buitendorp, were disqualified from “Project Runway” after Claire was accused of cheating by using a measuring tape in their shared apartment to measure garments, which was against the show’s rules.
On Season 16 of “Project Runway,” the twins Claire and Shawn Buitendorp initially captured attention for their unique situation as the first pair of twins to compete on the show. They were both known for their quirky personalities and close relationship. However, their journey on the show took a dramatic turn when allegations of cheating surfaced.
The controversy began when another contestant, Michael Brambila, expressed concerns about Claire’s design process, suggesting that she might be replicating measurements from ready-to-wear garments. Tensions escalated when it was discovered that Claire had a measuring tape in the apartment where the contestants stayed, which she admitted to using to measure her own clothes for fit. This was a clear violation of the competition’s rules, which prohibit designers from having any patterns or tools that could give them an unfair advantage outside of the workroom.
The situation came to a head during a dramatic confrontation on the runway. Tim Gunn, the show’s mentor, conducted an investigation and confirmed the rule violation. As a result, the show’s producers decided to disqualify Claire from the competition. Her twin sister Shawn, who had previously been eliminated in a twin vs. twin challenge but was brought back due to the controversy, also left the show. The incident was one of the most talked-about moments in the series’ history, sparking discussions about fairness and integrity in design competitions.
