Celeb 101: Christian Siriano Shares What He Learned From Career Low Point The designer was rejected from CFDA in 2012. He was eventually admitted in 2013.

 -- Christian Siriano is at the top of his game.

After winning "Project Runway" in 2008, the fashion designer created his eponymous fashion label, dressing celebrities from Lady Gaga to first lady Michelle Obama. He has also designed shoes for Payless, clothes for Lane Bryant and most recently the windows at Hershey's Chocolate World in New York City's Times Square.

Still, the Maryland native's career isn't without bumps and bruises. In fact, he was rejected from the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America before being inducted into the association in 2013.

Siriano, 31, told ABC News' "Celeb 101" that the rejection actually helped him. "It's actually quite important in life," he said.

"It's kind of like, 'What do you strive for?' in a way," he continued. "So I think you need it, a little bit."

The fashion designer then addressed his rejection from CFDA, saying he understood why he was turned down.

"It's kind of like, 'Okay, I get it. It happens.' And yeah, you want to try again," he explained.

"Can you imagine if like I was like 'Oh, an actress didn't wear a dress on the red carpet,' or 'I didn't get in this store this season' -- whatever it was -- I mean I'd still be waiting around," Siriano added. "You can't wait for things to happen. You kind of have to make your own things happen."