Project Runway asks contestants to create fashion designs under the guidance of Tim Gunn.
The American fashion competition premiered on Bravo in 2004. Designers receive assignments that test construction, creativity, tailoring, materials, and time management. They present their finished looks on a runway, where judges select the strongest and weakest designs.
Tim Gunn served as the show's mentor during its original format, advising contestants without functioning as the main judging authority. Heidi Klum was the original host and a judge, while Michael Kors and Nina Garcia were prominent early judges.
The program is often confused with Making the Cut, another fashion competition associated with Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. Project Runway focuses heavily on constructing garments for weekly runway challenges, whereas Making the Cut places greater emphasis on global brand-building and retail-ready fashion.