Heidi Klum and Christian Siriano (Photo : by Jay Marroquin)

Heidi Klum has reasonable reasons to love “Project Runway” alumni Christian Siriano, who has just opened a flagship store and hosted his first Fashions Night Out event in New York City.

26-year-old Siriano became the youngest winner of “Project Runway” Season 4 in 2008. His collection was praised by Victoria Beckham as a “breath of fresh air.” Siriano’s fashion line “Christian Siriano” has been retailed at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus, and he has been a favorite at the New York Fashion Week.

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“I’m very proud of him,” Heidi Klum, the longtime judge and host of “Project Runway,” told PEOPLE Wednesday night at the opening of Siriano’s first flagship boutique in New York City.

At the celebration held at the Four Seasons restaurant, the 39-year-old model looked radiant in a white strapless dress with a flowing hem, showing off her toned legs.

“I think that there are a lot of great young designers out there, but he really works outside of just doing clothes,” Klum continued.

“He’s always out and about. He’s very friendly to people.”

“When I need something, he always sends things,” Klum said of Siriano’s special care for her.

“He calls all the time asking if I need anything. That’s important because there are so many people out there, so if you don’t squeak then you don’t get the oil. You have to be the squeaky wheel or people will forget about you, and he does that really well.”

Siriano was named one of Crain’s Top 40 Entrepreneurs Under 40 in 2010. His fashion line has earned more than $1.2 million in revenue as of 2010.

“I always knew that he was going to get places because he is just a real hard worker.”

"Stopped by Christian Siriano's new store! So proud of u @csiriano – it's amazing! You deserve all of ur success!" Heidi Klum tweeted off a photo of her and Siriano posing comically.

Thursday night in NoLita, “Project Runway” fans flooded to meet Siriano, who was holding the event at his brand new store.

“It’s so cool to be in my own space for Fashion’s Night Out,” Siriano told The Hollywood Reporter. “I was very nervous that people wouldn’t really come!”

“Tonight is really about the fans, which is really cool,” said Siriano, who greeted shoppers at the door himself.

“I really wanted people --anybody -- to be able to come and shop.”

See the launch party of Christian Siriano's boutique: