Beginning her fashion studies at the Fashion Institute of Technology at age 13, Helen Castillo continued to pursue her career in fashion fulfilling four years at FIT and graduated in 2012 with a Bachelors Degree in Special Occasion design/Couture studies. After numerous internships, some of which included Vera Wang Bridal House and Vivienne Westwood (London, UK) ambition took her on to bigger opportunities with becoming a finalist on back to back seasons of Project Runway Season 12 and Project Runway All Stars Season 4 and more recently Project Runway All Starts Season 6. Having designed Mary Lambert's 54th Grammy performance and red carpet gowns working with Madonna's stylist B. Akerlund to compliment her performance look. The exposure launched her career and she was personally recruited by Zac Posen to work for him as a designer after PRAS Season 4. Lifetime reached out to Helen again for PRAS Season 6 as a 'Veteran' designer to compete and rank as the last standing female designer.

As of 2016, the atelier was officially located in New York City's garment district with the convenience to her clients being centrally located in the fashion capital of the world. Having participated in sponsored regional fashion events, Helen's clientele is not restricted to the USA, but many clients are international with whom she documents most candid design experience and processed through her various Verified social media accounts. Helen Castillo has gained outstanding international support from fans and clients alike. Creating all private commissioned pieces in house, bespoke, made-to-measure, Helen's Bridal and evening wear/red-carpet pieces are in constant production at the NYC atelier. Most recently Helen has pursued interests in becoming a Fashion Design Teacher and is completing her Masters Degree in Education, this has sparked interest in her ambition to eventually become a college professor and share her design aesthetic and knowledge with international students.

As of Fall of 2018 Helen Castillo and BLUE MAN GROUP have worked together on a revolutionary collaboration, she was approached by the Cirque Du Soleil owned performance company to work with BLUE MAN GROUP to create a new costume piece which is available for sale this coming October 2018 on our 'SHOP' page. The BLUE MAN GROUP made a front row appearance during Helen's SS19 Runway show and assisted with styling cues backstage. Helen Castillo also graced the cover and 6 page full color spread in 'The Digest' September/October 2018 Issue with a more recent update on 'life after Project Runway.' Pursuing a teaching career in April 2017 to present all while balancing three consecutive finalist positions on Project Runway, and most recently attending a Masters Degree in Education - Helen aspires to become a Fashion Design professor as she continues to propel her students onto a path of higher education at prestigious colleges and universities worldwide.

Most recently she developed the entire curriculum and teaching program for Mood Fabrics ‘MoodU’ University during the 2020 pandemic. Having reached 665 students internationally from 2020 to spring of 2022 by instructing pattern making, custom draping and garment development, and creating countless patterns for free download via the Mood ‘Sewciety’ blog ranging in sizes 0-30. Teaching within her hometown community of Union City, she recently was employed by the Board of Education to write the updated curriculum for the high school’s Career and Technical Education department FashionDesign and Apparel Design curriculum and lesson plans that will be used for future academic school years. Completing a Masters in Education via New Jersey City University in Spring of 2022 she was a mentor not only to her colleagues, but to her aspiring fashion design students.