Last night, millions of people tuned in to Bravo to watch Project Runway for the first time in eleven seasons! For someone who has been watching it since the beginning, it was hard to picture a Project Runway without the mentor-of-all-mentors, Tim Gunn, and the face of the show, Heidi Klum. However, it was clear from the start of intro that this was a whole new show entirely!
To start, we were introduced to a striking new cast full of faces prominent in the fashion industry. Stepping in as host is long-time supermodel and entrepreneur, Karlie Kloss. The new mentor-extraordinaire is none other than Project Runway season 4 winner (and personal fave), Christian Siriano. Holding down the fort in the judging panel is Nina Garcia, the only returning judge from previous seasons! The newbie judges include Award winning American fashion designer and Texas native and a favorite of Houston’s chicest ladies,Brandon Maxwell and Fashion journalist & former Teen Vogue editor-in-chief, Elaine Welteroth.
With two of the most inclusive-runway designers now on tap, we can expect Siriano and Maxwell to bring that through in the challenges this season. While specific ‘plus-size’ themed challenges have been present in past years, this season will bring along more inclusivity in each weeks episode. Last night’s episode even debuted the first trans model ever to walk the Project Runway catwalk.
Though last night was only the first episode, it is already clear this new Project Runway is ready to take on 2019. With a brand new over-the-top, chic workroom and a litany of overwhelmingly talented designers, this season can really only keep getting better and better! But for all you loyal Runway followers, no need to worry too much…the competition is still the same one we fell in love with almost 15 years ago!
A new twist this season proving it was a Project Runway for a new generation- the Instagram challenge. Each week, the designers will not only have to stress about getting their designs done, but also about the number of likes their post gets on Instagram. Once the designers have finished their creations, they will post it on @projectrunwaybravo Instagram story, where viewers can vote either ‘thumbs up’ or ‘thumbs down’.
While the judges will still be picking the ultimate winner amongst themselves, the social media winner’s design will also be available to purchase online at https://shop.nineteenthamendment.com/pages/project-runway. The winning look from the judges will also be available online immediately following episodes 1, 5, 7, and 10!
Project Runway airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. central on Bravo or is available online at BravoTv.com
Feature Image courtesy of @projectrunwaybravo