Heidi Klum became a host and executive producer of Project Runway when the fashion competition premiered in 2004.
The series followed designers competing in challenges judged by fashion professionals. Klum also served as a judge and was closely associated with the show throughout its original run, helping bring high-fashion terminology and industry decision-making to a broad television audience.
Klum was already an internationally successful model before television. She became especially associated with Victoria’s Secret, Sports Illustrated Swimsuit and major advertising campaigns. Project Runway is sometimes confused with Germany’s Next Topmodel, another program she hosted and produced. Her work on Project Runway earned her a Primetime Emmy Award as part of the program’s producing team.