Looking for something to binge-watch? Do you love fashion? Do you like drama? Project Runway is the show for you. Project Runway is a reality television series centered around fashion design. Contestants on the show are aspiring fashion designers who compete in weekly challenges to create clothing designs and are judged by a panel of expert designers, which includes Heidi Klum, the original host, and Tim Gunn, the original mentor, along with other industry professionals.
Project Runway first premiered on December 1, 2004, on the Bravo network. The show quickly became a major hit, blending reality competition with the high-stakes world of fashion design. The first season introduced viewers to Heidi Klum, a German-American supermodel, television host, producer, and businesswoman. She gained international fame as a Victoria’s Secret Angel and has appeared on the cover of numerous fashion magazines. Klum is widely recognized for her influence in the fashion and entertainment industries.
Tim Gunn, the mentor of this popular reality TV show, is an American television personality, fashion consultant, and educator. Known for his calm demeanor, supportive guidance, and iconic catchphrase, “Make it work,” Gunn helped aspiring designers navigate the challenges of the show. Before his television career, he was a professor at the Parsons School of Design. Gunn’s expertise and approach to fashion have made him a respected figure in the industry.
“I was so interested in this show. After I watched a couple of episodes, I really liked the outcome at the end. I liked hearing what the challenges were and watching the contestants design and build the fashion, then watching it walk down a runway on a model,” DRHS parent Laura Newman said. “It’s all so amazing how they make it all work.”
The final winner of the season receives a cash prize, a fashion line showcased at New York Fashion Week, and the opportunity to launch their own brand.
“When I first started watching the show, I thought it was kind of harsh. I mean, it is what it is, it’s a competition after all, and I think that regardless, if you got some TV time and you got to showcase some of your pieces, you probably have more followers today than you did yesterday, especially if you win the show,” Newman said.
A couple of months ago, a television network called Freeform announced a new season of Project Runway would be airing in 2025, and Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, Peacock, Apple TV, and Bravo TV would also stream the series. Although there hasn’t been an official date released for the show’s return, Project Runway typically premieres its new seasons in the fall or spring months, with past seasons airing from March to May or September to November.
“I know that a new season is coming out, but I haven’t seen any trailers about it yet,” Newman said. “All I know is that Christian Siriano is a great designer that I really admire. I look forward to seeing what the challenges will be.”
Many former contestants have gone on to successful careers in fashion, such as Christian Siriano, an American fashion designer best known for winning the fourth season of Project Runway. In 2018, Siriano had the honor of replacing Tim Gunn and became the new mentor of the show. He gained widespread recognition for his bold, inclusive approach to fashion, designing for men and women of all sizes. Siriano has dressed numerous celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Heidi Klum, Queen Latifah, and more public figures on red carpets. His fashion brand is celebrated for its blend of high fashion and accessibility, with a focus on body positivity.
The series is known for its dramatic moments, surprising eliminations, and emotional highs and lows. Contestants also often face personal struggles, rivalries, friendships, and moments of triumph or failure, making it a dramatic show. They work under time pressure, with a set amount of time to complete their designs. They have to use their creativity and technical skills to meet the challenge while also fitting the judges’ aesthetic preferences. If the contestants don’t meet the judges’ standards or the design doesn’t align with the challenge requirements, that designer is eliminated, and the remaining designers advance to the next round.
“I like that there isn’t an excessive amount of drama. Certainly there’s going to be stress as the contestants move from challenge to challenge because of the time crunch, but I feel like its a natural amount of just stress, but I also like that the show doesn’t focus too much on the drama, it mainly focuses on the product being made,” Newman said. “It seems lately that a lot of reality shows I’ve watched recently have contestants who want to help and support each other, which is kind of neat. I think a lot of that stems from the fact that they do have different points of view. So, someone who creates couture versus someone who has more modern day aesthetics, those people aren’t going to feel like they’re in a competition with each other because people just have different tastes and there’s room for all those types of designers.”
Project Runway has consistently captured the attention of both fashion enthusiasts and general audiences. Fashion, trends, and designs continue to evolve, and the show offers viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process, which keeps it relevant. The show has been a staple of reality television for years, making it a reliable brand. After a few seasons, the format and judges have become well-known, and viewers continue to tune in to see what new talent and innovative designs will be showcased.
The show has made an effort to feature a diverse group of contestants, showcasing different backgrounds, perspectives, and styles. This inclusivity helps broaden the appeal to a larger, more diverse audience. The involvement of high-profile industry figures as judges (such as Nina Garcia, Zac Posen, or Brandon Maxwell) and special guest judges keeps the show in the public eye, bridging the gap between reality TV and the world of high fashion.
Many viewers turn to reality shows for both entertainment and inspiration. Project Runway offers a unique mix of drama, artistry, and competition that draws audiences looking for something both aspirational and relatable. Fans have been consistently asking for more seasons, especially after the show went through some years of transition and changes in the judging panel and network.
Social media platforms serve a huge purpose, especially if you’re an aspiring artist like these contestants. “Once I’ve watched the show, and I see a designer that I really like, I am probably going to follow them on social media, and that will make me more aware of the latest trends,” Newman said. “Even though I don’t wear high fashion or have any desire to wear high fashion, I definitely appreciate the designers out there making beautiful clothes…in this day and age, I think that it’s great that fashion designers have social media because people love to see new, fresh fashion…I really do believe that people’s lives change once they’ve been on the show, especially for the top 3 artists, because those people get the most time on the show.”
Since its debut, Project Runway has become one of the most well-known and influential fashion-based reality TV shows, spanning 19 seasons as of 2023, and creating spin-offs like Project Runway All Stars and Project Runway Junior. The show’s long-standing success is largely due to its ability to showcase the talent of aspiring designers, offer dramatic challenges, and bring fashion into the mainstream.
