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With the trailer for “Project Runway” being released for season 21, it’s a great day for fashion lovers everywhere. And we have already marked the calendar for the two-episode premiere of the iconic show on July 31st.
The TV series debuted on Bravo in 2004 – competitors create original clothing designs based on specific material and themes that face the threat of exclusion each week, but have been causing waves for the past 20 years. Heidi Krum was the original host of the show, but left after 16 seasons in 2017. However, extraordinary fans of the model are looking for snacks as they are back on the “Project Runway” this season.
It’s safe to say that the fashion forward show has captured the hearts of many viewers during its run. In the early seasons, millions of people were coordinated to help creatives compete for opportunities for industry acclaim (not to mention the big cash prizes). The fandom may be small now, but it’s more faithful than ever: especially active r/projectrunway reddit thread It’s a viral moment in Tiktok, with over 90,000 members (Many of them feature Tim Gunn’s iconic one-liner when he was the coach of his first 16 seasons) is immortal and obsessed.
While “Project Runway” may seem like just another reality series, the Emmy Award-winning show is responsible for creating decisive moments in the fashion world. The judges include Nina Garcia, now editor-in-chief of Elle Magazine. Designer Zac Posen is currently creative director at Gap. Model curly cloth. Designer Brandon Maxwell. and former teen vogue Aick Elaine Welters. As for the winners of past seasons, who has made it bigger since their stunning work first got into the public eye? They include heavy hitters like Christian Siliano, a fashion famous name with a roster of celebrity clients from Rihanna to Michelle Obama. Sigliano is the winner of Season 4 and is back as a mentor ready to share his hard-earned wisdom in 2025.
The just-dropped trailer for the Season 21 show was treated to a juicy sneak peek of pure drama, marked by high levels of joy and disappointing lows. Roach Roach, a well-known celebrity stylist known as “Image Architect,” is making an epic entrance this year as a judge. “I hated that,” Roach says at one point in the trailer. “It’s a short word. It’s just four letters!” He feels sick. The runway is on fire. Sofía Vergara and Nikki Glaser will be guests. Many tears are shed. There is also no shortage of eye rolls as each of the 12 early contestants brings not only their original style but also greater personality to the table than lifelong.
Looking for more Inter at the show before falling on rap later this month? There’s everything you need to know about what could be the most iconic season of “Project Runway” so far.
When will the Project Runway season 21 premiere?
Season 21 of “Project Runway” premiered on July 31, 2025, with the long-awaited return on Freeform with the 9pm two-episode premiere of EST EST, airing every Thursday at 10pm for the next 10 weeks. Hulu and Disney+ offer next day streaming.
Meet the judges for “Project Runway” Season 21
There’s great news for those who want to travel through the “Project Runway” memory lane. Unfortunately, mentor Tim Gunn will not return, but there is a new face here to diversify the judges and inevitably make things more enjoyable than ever.
- Heidi Klum: The German-American model left “Project Runway” in 2018 and returned after holding three seasons of Prime Video’s “Making The Cut” with Tim Gunn. The first German model to become Victoria’s Secret Angel, she is a longtime friend and collaborator of Christian Siliano (they met when Siliano was a contestant on the show). Seeing how Siriano will become part of the Season 21 judging board, there’s no doubt that the duo will engage in loving, on-screen shenanigans, just as the duo encourage (and sometimes rebel) competing designers.
- Christian Syriano:Sigriano became the youngest winner of “Project Runway” in the fourth season of the show and was also a mentor for the spinoff “Project Runway All Stars.” After launching a collection of the same name in 2008, Siriano became a true icon in the fashion industry. Create looks for celebrities like Ariana Grande, Michelle Obama, Rizzo, Beberexa, and Dylan Mulbunny. He is a red carpet staple for awards shows, and as part of his Resort 2026 collection, he employs the help of other people besides Season 21 co-star Heidi Krum as the model and muse.
- Nina Garcia: As the only original cast member other than Heidi Krum, Nina Garcia is the patriarch of “Project Runway” and is in fact a judge for one of the shows she stayed every last season. In 2004, when the series first aired, she was the fashion director for El Magazine. Currently, Garcia is the editor-in-chief of the publication and became the first Latina to direct America’s leading fashion titles. Garcia is at the forefront of the latest and greatest designs, with just as much judge-seasoning as they come.
- Cockroaches of law: A fresh arrival to the show, Law Roach is a well-known fashion stylist who has worked with Zendaya, Céline Dion, Meghan the You Stallion, Bella Hadid, Anya Taylor-Joy and many other stars. Roach is a revolving judge for “Rupaul’s Drag Race” and hosts “OMG Fashion” with Julia Fox last year, so he is proficient in both the generation-defined reality television and mastermind looks. Roach is the so-called “image architect” of A-Listers at Met Galas Past, paired with well-known brands like Burberry and writing his own books. As the latest trailer for “Project Runway” shows, Season 21 will be packed full of his sharp wit, spot-on comments and cheeky humor.
What you can expect from Project Runway this season
It’s not anyone’s guess that actually goes down during Season 21 of “Project Runway,” but you can make some predictions based on the takeaways collected from the trailer and the list of released contestants. Get ready for drama and tension, as some designers are shed tears and others are given the highest honor. It’s what’s praised by fashion’s most important players. Among the contestants is Veejay Floresca, a Filipino who was part of Project Runway Philippines in 2008. Madeline Marenphant, from Nantucket, has a style that has been greatly inspired since her Renaissance days. Caycee Black, alum from Season 19. Jesus Estrada, alumni from another show competing alongside twin brother Antonio Estrada. Ethan Mundt, who captivated viewers as the drug performer of “Rupaul’s Drag Race” and is professionally known as “Utica Queen.” more.
The expected guest judge adds extra plot and excitement to the mix. Specifically, we see actress Sofia Vergara, designer Michael Kors (full-time show judge for the first 10 seasons), comedian Nicky Glazer, model Tyra Banks, “The Real Housewives of New York City” Stargena Lyons, and other cultural testimakers we already know and worship.
Who wins the ultimate prize package for six-figure prizes, American Mentorship’s Fashion Designers Council, and El Magazine this Around time? Only time can be seen. Be sure to tune it so that you don’t miss one second.
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Meet the author
Stasia Datkovska I’m a senior commerce writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at El Decoration as an assistant digital editor who covered all of her luxury, culture and lifestyle through the lens of design. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Before participating in Elle’s decorations, Datskovska learned the inside and outside of e-commerce with Mashable, where she tested her products, covered tent pole sales events, and tested roundups of her curated gift guide. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on fashion trend news worth your time.
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