'Project Runway' follows fashion designers competing in timed challenges to create garments and advance through a judged competition.
The US series premiered on Bravo in 2004. Heidi Klum hosted the original run and served as a judge, while Tim Gunn acted as the contestants’ mentor. Designers faced weekly briefs that tested construction, creativity, fabric selection and the ability to work under severe time limits. At the end of each episode, a judging panel selected a winner and usually eliminated one contestant.
The programme later moved to Lifetime and then returned to Bravo. Its judging lineup changed over the years, with designers such as Michael Kors and Nina Garcia serving in prominent roles. Christian Siriano, a season-four winner, later became the show’s mentor.
'Project Runway' is often confused with 'Making the Cut', another fashion competition associated with Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn. 'Making the Cut' premiered much later and focused more heavily on globally marketable brands, while 'Project Runway' is built around runway challenges and designer elimination.