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It’s a great day for fashion lovers everywhere because the trailer for Season 21 of “Project Runway” was just released… and we’re already marking our calendars for the iconic show’s two-episode premiere on July 31. The new season will air on Freeform, with episodes available to stream on Hulu and Disney+.
Having debuted in 2004 on Bravo, the television series — in which contestants create original clothing designs based on certain materials and themes, facing the threat of elimination each week — has been making waves for the past two decades. Heidi Klum served as the original host of the show, but left after 16 seasons in 2017. Fans of the model extraordinaire are in for a treat, though, as Klum is returning to “Project Runway” this season.
It’s safe to say the fashion-forward show has captured the hearts of many a viewer during its run. In early seasons, millions tuned in to watch creatives compete for their chance at industry acclaim (not to mention hefty cash prizes). Now, the fandom might be smaller, but it’s more loyal than ever before: especially active on the r/ProjectRunway Reddit thread that’s over 90,000 members strong and on TikTok, where viral moments (many of them featuring Tim Gunn’s iconic one-liners from when he was a mentor for the first 16 seasons) are immortalized and obsessed over.
“Project Runway” might seem like just another reality series, but the Emmy-winning show is responsible for producing defining moments in the world of fashion. Judges have included Nina Garcia, who’s now the editor-in-chief of ELLE Magazine; designer Zac Posen, now Gap’s creative director; model Karlie Kloss; designer Brandon Maxwell; and former Teen Vogue EIC Elaine Welteroth. As for past seasons’ winners who have made it big since their masterful creations first entered the public eye? They include heavy hitters like Christian Siriano, a household name in fashion with a roster of celebrity clients from Rihanna to Michelle Obama. Siriano was Season 4’s winner and is coming back in 2025 as a mentor ready to share his hard-won wisdom.
In the show’s just-dropped trailer for Season 21, we were treated to juicy sneak peeks of the pure drama that will ensue, marked by jubilant highs and disappointing lows — a classic formula that hasn’t failed to keep “Project Runway” viewers on the edge of their seats. Law Roach, a renowned celebrity stylist who’s known as the “Image Architect,” makes his grand entrance as a judge this year. “I hated it,” Roach says at one point in the trailer, to which Klum replies that hate is a big word. “It’s a short word. It’s only four letters!” he retorts cheekily. Runways are set on fire; Sofía Vergara and Nikki Glaser make guest appearances; many, many tears are shed; and there’s also no shortage of eye rolls as each of the 12 initial contestants brings not only original styles but also bigger-than-life personalities to the table.
Looking for even more intel on the show before it drops into our laps later this month? Here’s everything you need to know about what might become the most iconic season of “Project Runway” to date.
When Does ‘Project Runway’ Season 21 Premiere?
Season 21 of “Project Runway” premieres on July 31, 2025, making its much-anticipated return with a two-episode premiere at 9 p.m. EST on Freeform — and then airing weekly at 10 p.m. EST every Thursday for the next 10 weeks. Hulu and Disney+ will be providing next-day streaming.
Meet the Judges of ‘Project Runway’ Season 21
We have great news for everyone wishing to take a trip down “Project Runway” memory lane: Heidi Klum is officially returning to the show after her hiatus. Unfortunately, mentor Tim Gunn will not be back, but new faces are here to diversify the judging panel and inevitably make things more fun than ever before.
- Heidi Klum: The German-American model is back after leaving “Project Runway” in 2018 and hosting three seasons of Prime Video’s “Making the Cut” alongside Tim Gunn. The first German model to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel, she’s also Christian Siriano’s longtime friend and collaborator (they met when Siriano was a contestant on the show). Seeing as how Siriano is going to be part of Season 21’s judging panel, we have no doubt the duo will be engaging in endearing, on-screen shenanigans as they encourage (and sometimes reprimand) the competing designers.
- Christian Siriano: Siriano became the youngest-ever winner of “Project Runway” in the show’s fourth season and was also a mentor on the spinoff “Project Runway All Stars.” After launching his eponymous collection in 2008, Siriano became a veritable icon in the fashion industry: going on to create looks for celebrities like Ariana Grande, Michelle Obama, Lizzo, Bebe Rexha, Dylan Mulvaney, and beyond. He’s a staple on awards-show red carpets and, as part of his resort 2026 collection, has employed the help of none other than Season 21 co-star Heidi Klum as model and muse.
- Nina Garcia: As the only original cast member besides Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia is a “Project Runway” matriarch — being the one judge on the show, in fact, who stayed for every last season. In 2004, when the series first aired, she was ELLE Magazine’s fashion director; now, Garcia is the editor-in-chief of the publication, having become the first Latina to helm a major American fashion title. Being at the forefront of the latest and greatest in design on a daily basis, Garcia is as seasoned of a judge as they come.
- Law Roach: A fresh arrival to the show, Law Roach is a renowned fashion stylist who’s worked with the likes of Zendaya, Céline Dion, Meghan Thee Stallion, Bella Hadid, Anya Taylor-Joy, and many more stars. Roach is a rotating judge on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and hosted last year’s “OMG Fashion” with Julia Fox, so he’s fluent in both reality TV and masterminding looks that define a generation. Roach has been the so-called “image architect” for A-listers at Met Galas past, paired up with big-name brands like Burberry, and even penned his own book. As the newest trailer for “Project Runway” demonstrates, Season 21 is going to be chock-full of his sharp witticisms, spot-on remarks, and sassy humor.
What We Can Expect This Season on ‘Project Runway’
What will actually go down during Season 21 of “Project Runway” is anyone’s guess, but we can make a few predictions based on takeaways gleaned from the trailer and the released list of contestants. Get ready for drama and tensions, as some designers are left in tears and others bestowed with the highest honor: that of being praised by fashion’s most important players. Among the contestants are Veejay Floresca, a Filipino who was actually part of “Project Runway Philippines” in 2008, finishing in third place; Madeline Malenfant, a Nantucket native whose style takes heavy inspiration from the Renaissance period; Caycee Black, Season 19 alum; Jesus Estrada, another show alum who will be competing alongside his twin brother Antonio Estrada; Ethan Mundt, who charmed viewers as a drag performer on “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and is professionally known as the “Utica Queen”; and more.
The expected guest judges add extra intrigue and excitement to the mix. Specifically, we’ll be seeing actress Sofia Vergara, designer Michael Kors (who was a full-time show judge for the first 10 seasons), comedian Nikki Glaser, model Tyra Banks, “Real Housewives of New York City” star Jenna Lyons, and other cultural tastemakers we already know and adore.
Who will win the ultimate prize package of a six-figure cash prize, a Council of Fashion Designers of America mentorship, and a spread in ELLE Magazine this time around? Only time will tell. Be sure to tune in so that you don’t miss a single second of it.
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on trending news in fashion that’s worth your time.
