The Host
Heidi Klum, the former host of Project Runway, has decided not to join the show's return to Bravo. For the 16 successful seasons, Klum represented the face of the show as a host, judge, and producer. Replacing Klum is another famous supermodel, Karlie Kloss. Although Klum shocked fans by deciding not to return to the show on account of it being stale, Klum has given Kloss her blessing and is supportive of the show's changes.
The Mentor
Former mentor, Tim Gunn, was easily the show's most beloved cast member. With his extensive years of studying, teaching, and working in the fashion industry, Gunn provided contestants with honest and constructive criticism to help them succeed on the show. As Gunn became more and more of a fan favorite over the years, his role on the show became more and more instrumental. In Season 13, the show even gave him a "Tim Gunn save" where he had the opportunity to save a contestant from elimination if he disagreed with the judges.
As Gunn has departed the show with Klum to produce their own Amazon feature, he has been replaced by former contestant and winner, Christian Siriano. Siriano competed in the series in Season 4, when the show was still on its original network, Bravo. Siriano stood out as a vibrant and charismatic fan favorite who was never afraid to speak his mind.
The Judges
The judging panel of Project Runway has changed significantly over the years. The original judges, of Season 1, included Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, and Nina Garcia. In Season 2, the series began adding guest judges each week from the fashion industry, which now mainly features celebrities. In Season 11, Michael Kors stepped down and was replaced by designer Zac Posen. In Season 13, Tim Gunn sat in for the runway show, as he had to judge whether or not to use his "Tim Gunn save," and also gave the judges insight into what went on in the workroom with the designers.
​
For the reboot, the only remaining judge is Nina Garcia, the editor-in-chief of Elle magazine. Joining Garcia is Brandon Maxwell, designer and creative director of his luxury ready-to-wear label. Elaine Welteroth, the former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, will also be on the judging panel for the new season.
The Channel
Project Runway made its series debut on Bravo back in 2004. The show remained on Bravo, as it successfully grew in popularity over the years, making it one of Bravo's biggest hits. However, in 2009, Harvey Weinstein, the show's main producer, decided to take season 6 of the show from Bravo to Lifetime for both legal and personal reasons. When the show went to Lifetime, a number of different spin-offs were also created by Lifetime, like Project Runway All Stars, Project Runway Junior, Project Runway: Under the Gunn, and more.
​
Now that Project has returned to where it all began and, as is self-proclaimed in its most recent trailer, to, "where it belongs," even more changes are in store. Although the assumption might be that Bravo would want to maintain its original way of carrying out the show, the new trailer suggests that this season will be an all new Project Runway for the contestants.
The Production
When Project Runway first began, it was produced by the company Miramax, which was founded by Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein was very involved in the production of the show, both personally and financially. For example, when the Lifetime version of the show created Project Runway All Stars, one of their head judges was fashion designer Georgina Chapman, who was Weinstein's wife at the time.
​
Midway through the series, Project Runway was still produced by Weinstein, but through The Weinstein Company. With the hugely famous sexual abuse scandal surrounding Harvey Weinstein coming to light in 2017, Bravo saw an opportunity to buy back the rights to the show.