Wendy Pepper has died at the age of 53.

The fashion designer - real name Anne Eustis Pepper Stewart - was a contestant on the very first season of Project Runway.

According to the obituary from the Washington Post, she died peacefully on Sunday, November 12 while surrounded by her family.

The cause of her death is still unknown.

Tough times: Project Runway star Wendy Pepper - pictured in February 2005 - has died at the age of 53

The talented designer was survived by her daughter Finley, parents, three, brothers, a sister, and several nieces and nephews.

In her original season of the the Bravo reality season, Pepper had finished third behind Kara Saun and winner Jay McCarroll.

She returned to the series in 2012 where she starred in the second season of Project Runway All Stars.

Shining star: She was a contestant on the very first season of Project Runway back in 2004

Talented: She returned to the series in 2012 where she starred in the second season of Project Runway All Stars

A representative for Lifetime which currently airs Project Runway released a statement to the Huffington Post about Pepper's passing to the Huffington Post:

'We are saddened to hear of the passing of another member of the Project Runway family, designer Wendy Pepper, this year,' the statement read. 'Wendy was one of the original designers that sent creations down the catwalk, paving the way for other designers to come. We wish her family and friends peace during this difficult time.'

Her obituary read: 'She was an artist who proudly forged her own path in life.

'A finalist on season one of Project Runway, Wendy designed and hand-sewed exceptionally beautiful clothes for children and adults.'

Besides being a clothing designer she was also a chef, writer, and life-long entrepreneur according to the posting.

Dynamic duo: In her original season of the the Bravo reality season, Pepper had finished third behind winner Jay McCarroll (as the two are pictured together in September 2007)

It was also written in the obituary: 'Her wit and humor were unmatched, as was her generosity of spirit.'

Bravo personality Andy Cohen reacted to the news on Twitter as he wrote: '#RIP one of the first of many great characters to appear on #ProjectRunway.

'She was a big reason for the first season's success.'

Her cause of death was not specified. A funeral service will be held on Friday, December 1 at Christ Church in Georgetown.