Who is Jeffrey Sebelia?

He's an American fashion designer best known for his rock band Lifter, his triumphant clothing line Cosa Nostra and most notably, his storied win of season three of the Bravo series Project Runway.

The early 90's saw Jeffrey signed to Jimmy Iovine's Interscope records. His band Lifter toured the globe and enjoyed success with the college radio hit "402". When it finally disbanded in late 1998 Jeff turned to his love of art and design for inspiration and enrolled in the Los Angeles Trade Technical College to learn how to sew. Soon after, newly honed skills in hand, Jeff started Cosa Nostra. The company took off overnight and a star studded list of clients led by Jennifer Lopez, Elton John, Dave Navarro, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Linkin Park's Chester Bennington, Madonna and Tommy Lee among others lined up to get their hands on Jeffrey's handmade couture.

In the spring of 2006 he auditioned for the Bravo television series Project Runway at the urging of his friend and former contestant Santino Rice. After Jeffrey was picked, His sharp wit, obvious talent and menacing neck tattoo(which, by the way, is actually an endearing homage to his son Harrison) quickly became a fan favorite and was one of four contestants chosen to participate in New York's Fashion Week and eventually ended up winning the show. 

As one of the final four contestants Sebelia presented a full collection at Olympus fashion week. Filled with radiant colors, flowing dresses and clever separates, his collection was strikingly different than the trademark grunge, punk and rock 'n' roll style outfits he created throughout the season. Impressed by his ability to implement such a drastically different line and pull it off cohesively -- judges Michael Kors, Heidi Klum and Fashion Week creator Fern Mallis gave him the win.

In 2007 Jeffrey won a 15 page spread in ELLE magazine and appeared on the November 2009 issue of Cliché magazine as one of the most prominent designers of his generation. The feature included an interview by editor Jeremy Fall as well as exclusive photography by Dirk Mai.

With showrooms in Paris, Tokyo and New York Cosa Nostra was on fire when turmoil among financial backers threatened to implode the company. It was during this time that Sebelia was approached by the up and comer Fluxus. The brand wanted Jeffrey to come on as head designer and create a line of contemporary women's knitwear that would grow the company to the next level. With Jeffrey on board, within 18 months they had three stores and a thriving production.

So what's next for Jeffrey Sebelia? After several years at Fluxus, he's leaving it behind to launch an entirely new brand of edgy kids clothes with friend and entrepreneur Melissa Bochco. Jeffrey says the idea came about during a discussion between he and Melissa about the tribulations of finding cool, chic clothes for their sons. Hence, La Miniatura - a collection drawn from the late 70's to early 80's post-punk re-interpreted through the lens of current trends and classic details for kids. At the ENK Children's Club show in March 2011, the new line exploded, selling out in the first two days of the show and landing La Miniatura in prominent LA and New York showrooms. When questioned about the line's lush red and black velvet suits, plaid blazers and sophisticated trench coats and sweaters compared to the easy-in easy-out sweat pants moms are begrudgingly forced to stick their boys in today, Jeffrey's only reply -- "I just want my kid to be able to dress with some dignity!"