What Changes You Can Expect In Project Runway Season 21

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Project Runway has been a reality television staple for many years. The show has helped fashion designers break through in a major way. This show has done for the fashion world what shows like American Idol, The X-Factor, and The Voice have done for the music world.

However, after 20 seasons, many changes took place in the Project Runway universe. For starters, the show moved from Bravo to Freeform. This means the show will now be part of Disney, since the company owns the Freeform network. Heidi Klum is also back as the host, leaving fans to wonder what these changes will mean for Season 21.

Project Runway Is Moving From Bravo To Disney For Season 21

Project Runway‘s 21st season was announced in October 2024, following months of speculation regarding the show’s future. However, the show is no longer airing on Bravo, its home since 2017. The new season of the show will air on Freeform, which is owned by Disney. The network announced there would be ten new episodes this season, first airing on Freeform and then streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. This is the result of a deal between Freeform and Spyglass Media Group.

“Project Runway is an iconic television juggernaut that perfectly complements the pop-culture spirit at Freeform,” Simran Sethi, the president of scripted programming at Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment, said in a statement.

“For 20 seasons, Project Runway has captured viewers’ attention and cultivated a loyal following,” Gary Barber, the chairman and CEO of Spyglass, said. “The series has proven to be a valuable and enduring brand worldwide, and we could not be more excited to broaden the show’s breadth of viewership within the Freeform, Hulu and Disney+ ecosystem.”

The new season of the show will be produced by Dan Cutforth and Jane Lipsitz from Alfred Street Industries. A recent Reddit thread was started by a hopeful applicant who was wondering when the new season would begin filming.

“As you know Project Runway renewed for Season 21,” the user wrote. “Casting closed on December 16th. I applied in October to participate as a designer, but haven’t heard back. I heard that it is filming in February. Does anyone know if they will ever reach out to applicants and tell them they are in or out? Would like to know by now to plan my February. I emailed, but no-one replied. Thanks.”

Someone replied, “I would guess they will reach out to the cut list next week. You might not know if you are in until just before filming starts even if you are contacted. They will have the main cast that they pick but will keep some as alternates in case they need them.”

“If casting closed on Dec. 16, they definitely will not film earlier than March,” another user wrote. “Because of the holidays, they likely won’t get done looking through applications at least until after the first or second week of January even if production is fast-tracked. You still have to be invited to go to the live interviews if you move past the application stage and that will likely be end of January or beginning of February. Of course, I’m basing this from when I applied and it was a different production company… but I think it would likely still apply just based on logistics. I received an invitation to live interviews two weeks after the application deadline but it was not during a holiday.”

Heidi Is Returning To Project Runway As Host After An Eight-Year Hiatus

In January 2024, Us Weekly reported that Heidi Klum would return to the show as a host following a hiatus which lasted eight years. Heidi originally hosted the show for its first 16 seasons. Tim Gunn served as a mentor for the designers. However, both left in 2018 to host Making the Cut, the fashion competition series from Amazon Prime.

At the time, Heidi released a statement saying, “After 16 incredible seasons, I am saying ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ to Project Runway, a show that I was honored to host and help create.”

“Bravo is proud to bring Project Runway back where it all began, and Heidi and Tim will always be a huge part of the legacy,” a Bravo representative said in a statement. “The series will continue its iconic impact with Bravo’s reboot for the next generation of designers and fans. We are excited to announce our new host and mentor very soon.”

After their move to Amazon Prime, Tim and Heidi spoke to Variety about the new chapter in their career. “One of the reasons Heidi and I wanted to fly and saw the opportunity of Amazon as a brand new threshold is because we were in lockstep with [Project Runway,]” Tim told the outlet. “We were stuck with the same vocabulary. We were stuck with the same sequence of events within the show. And also, full transparency about Making the Cut and where we are today, it wouldn’t have happened without Project Runway. So for Heidi and me, there’s a lot of love and respect we’ll always have.”

“We wanted to do a show that’s not just for the audience to see, but also to shop and to have and to go into the real world,” Heidi said. “That is something that we were never able to do and it’s one of the most important components… This is no longer a sewing competition. We’re looking for a great brand, so they have to have a business mindset along with their creativity.”

Following Heidi and Tim’s exit, supermodel Karlie Kloss took over hosting duties for two seasons, with Season 4 winner Christian Siriano serving as mentor. For Seasons 19 and 20, Christian served as both host and mentor of the show. In 2018, Heidi told People that she was happy to see Karlie and Christian step into the roles. “I don’t think they need advice,” she said. “We left Project Runway in great hands, with Karlie [Kloss] and Christian Siriano, and I think they are going to do a great job.”

What was the most poorly thought out Project Runway challenge?

During the 14th season of Project Runway, the designers were challenged to create looks that were inspired by Hallmark greeting cards. Putting aside how annoying it can be when reality TV challenges are excuses for product placement, this was a horrible idea. Forcing the designers to use paper products to make clothes practically ensured that there would be a parade of boxy and ugly outfits. That isn’t what Project Runway viewers want to see.

She also told the outlet that she felt the show needed a change prior to leaving. “I can see how they are going to change it, because it needed some change. After 16 seasons, it was becoming stale. I’m excited to see how it will progress,” Heidi said. “It’s great to have new people and new visions for this next iteration of Project Runway. I’m looking forward to how they make the show their own!”

Michael Kors, who once served as a judge on Project Runway, also shared his excitement at the time. “I think it’s fabulous to see him step into the mentorship role,” he said. “Christian’s been in business for ten years. I always tell everyone that ten years in fashion is like 30 years in life, so he’s probably seen in ten years what normal people might see in 30 years. That’s the reality of fashion.”

Former Winner Christian Siriano Opened Up About What Inspired His Designs

When Christian won the show in 2007 at the age of 21, he broke through in a big way. He went on to become a famous designer for stars like Ashley Graham, Angela Bassett, Kelly Ripa, Janelle Monáe, Kate Hudson, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Mariska Hargitay.

In 2011, Christian spoke to The Houston Press about his work and spelled out the inspiration behind his designs. “I’m really thinking about if my mom and my sister are coming to this store together, can they both get something from this collection and would they wear it every day?” he said of his shoe designs for Payless. “That was my whole thinking.”

Christian said that he wanted to elevate basic essentials that women need to have in their collection. “So then I started developing ideas: I need a great flat that someone can wear every day; I want a cool shoe that’s maybe a more fashion statement shoe,” he explained. “Then I want a basic pump that someone can wear to work or going out, or put on with a cocktail dress that still looks fresh, and a cool boot for winter, because I think that’s a statement piece that everybody should have! It’s very runway-inspired, and all about the real woman.”

He also wanted to allow women to transfer runway designs to everyday street wear. “I think what’s great about fashion is that it’s becoming more accessible, and more available — you can see a show image right away. You can see a look in a collection from a favorite designer and think, ‘How can I emulate that?’ right away.”

He continued, “I think accessories are an easy way to do that because they are usually a little bit more affordable, and you don’t break the bank buying a couple of pairs of shoes and a bag to change your look, rather than buying a whole new wardrobe. I think that’s why this really works.”

However, Christian emphasized that the shoes are just one piece of the greater picture. “I also think you need to pick pieces that are really special: a statement shoe is always helpful,” he said. “Or if you’re buying a piece of clothing and you see that jacket on the runway that’s studded, or has sequins all over it — that’s your piece, your statement piece. You don’t need the maxi-dress that’s underneath, and the shoes and the belt and the bag — buy your one piece. I think that’s the best way to emulate that [runway look[. When I first meet someone, I look at their shoes! Maybe it’s a nervous thing, I just look down.”

However, at the end of the day, Christian said he believes people should have fun with fashion and not take it too seriously. “I just think shoes and accessories are something that are meant to be fun, meant to be lighthearted, there is never anything serious about them,” he said. “You should never be like, ‘Oh my God, I have to wear this shoe tonight!’ I think shoes and bags should make you feel good — they are pretty things, constructed using interesting materials. They are kind of like jewelry, and people have been wearing jewelry for thousands of years!”