\u201cDesigners, make it work!\u201d Project Runway<\/i><\/span><\/a> contestants have been sewing up a storm since 2004 \u2014 and some of the winners are still changing the game of the fashion industry to this day.<\/p>\n The long-running reality series challenges up-and-coming designers to create original garments restricted by time, material and theme. From 2004 to 2018, the show was hosted by Heidi Klum<\/b><\/span><\/a> with fashion guru Tim Gunn<\/b><\/span><\/a> acting as a style savvy mentor for the competitors.<\/p>\n Through its more than 250 episodes, Project Runway<\/i> has been a champion for diversity and innovation<\/span><\/a> in the fashion industry. Despite facing \u201cstigma\u201d for his unconventional rise to the top of the design world, Christian Siriano credited his time on the series with helping him become a household name.<\/p>\n \u201cI really treated it as, \u2018I can show the world what I can do \u2014 and maybe bring a new generation of customer to us.\u2019 And I mean, obviously, when I was on that show, I was 21 years old \u2014 an actual child!\u201d he told the Washington Post<\/i><\/span><\/a> in April 2019. \u201cAnd now, having a business, 40 employees, a real company, people can see what you start with and what you can turn it into.\u201d<\/p>\n In July 2025, Project Runway<\/i> kicked off season 21 on Freeform with Klum, Siriano, Nina Garcia<\/b> and Law Roach<\/b> serving as judges.<\/p>\n
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