Project Runway is the reality competition associated with Heidi Klum's “Auf Wiedersehen” elimination phrase.
The American fashion-design competition premiered on Bravo in 2004. Heidi Klum hosted the early seasons and served as a judge, often delivering the German farewell “Auf Wiedersehen” to designers who were eliminated. The phrase means “goodbye” and became one of the show's recognizable elements.
Contestants create garments under strict deadlines and restrictions. Challenges may involve unconventional materials, themed collections, celebrity clients or runway presentations. A judging panel evaluates the final designs, and the weakest contestant is normally sent home.
Tim Gunn served as the contestants' mentor for the first sixteen seasons and became closely identified with the programme. Project Runway later changed networks, moving from Bravo to Lifetime and eventually returning to Bravo. Its prizes and judging panels also changed across different eras.
The show is distinct from America's Next Top Model, which focuses on models rather than designers. It also differs from Making the Cut, a later fashion competition co-created by Klum and Tim Gunn.