Project Runway Season 17 is the seventeenth season of the television show Project Runway, returning to Bravo for the first time since season 5.[1] The season began on Thursday, March 14, 2019.[2] Sixteen designers compete to become "the next great American designer." This was the first season to feature: Karlie Kloss taking over for Heidi Klum, Brandon Maxwell as Zac Posen's replacement, additional judge and former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, Elaine Welteroth, as well as
returning judge and editor-in-chief of Elle, Nina Garcia. In addition, season 4 winner Christian Siriano replaced Tim Gunn's role as mentor throughout the competition.
In 2023, Hester Sunshine and Bishme Cromartie returned to compete on season 20 with Hester placing 11th out of 14 and Bishme winning the competition.
^2 New York City civic workers were used as models for this challenge.
Afa Ah Loo - AL
Bishme Cromartie - BC
Cavanagh Baker - CB
Frankie Lewis - FL
Garo Sparo - GS
Hester Sunshine - HS
Jamall Osterholm - JO
Kovid Kapoor - KK
Lela Orr - LO
Nadine Ralliford - NR
Rakan Shams Aldeen - RA
Renee Hill - RH
Sebastian Gray - SG
Sonia Kasparian - SK
Tessa Clark - TC
Venny Etienne - VE
Episodes
Episode 1: First Impressions
Original airdate: March 14, 2019
Sixteen talented designers from all walks of life arrive in New York City for the ultimate fashion competition. The designers start-off by showcasing their best looks for host Karlie Kloss and judges Nina Garcia, Brandon Maxwell and Elaine Welteroth. Afterwards, the contestants meet their mentor, Christian Siriano. The designers receive their first challenge, to create a look inspired by some of the biggest names in fashion but with an unexpected twist.
This week’s challenge tasks the designers to create a mini-collection that shows a sneak peek into the future of fashion. The designers are split into teams, and their models are transformed with special effects body modifications inspired by Simon Huck’s ‘A. Human’ exhibit.
The designers are tasked with creating bold head-to-toe looks using a single print. Celebrity stylist Marni Senofonte surprises the designers by lending her expertise in this go-big or go-home challenge.
Guest Judge: Adam Selman (New York fashion designer)
The designers are whisked away for a camping trip and challenged to create survival chic looks while embracing the wilderness. Their work room, the accessories wall and the runway itself have all been moved to the woods for this unconventional materials challenge. Celebrity stylist Marni Senofonte returns.
The designers visit the studio of trailblazer Dapper Dan, who introduced high fashion to the hip-hop world by creating luxury streetwear. The designers are given one day to create their own takes on the future of streetwear.
Guest Judge: Brandice Daniel (founder and CEO of Harlem’s Fashion Row)
Three women breaking ground in the video game industry visit the runway, helping the designers understand how clothing for powerful women works in video games. The designers are challenged to create their own female video game protagonists with a functional and stylish look.
Guest Judge: Robin Hunicke (American video game designer)
The final ten designers are surprised with an invitation to a Brandon Maxwell photo shoot featuring Karlie Kloss. They must impress Maxwell with their takes on elegance, and are faced with a flash sale challenge.
Stylist Marni Senofonte challenges the designers to create a mini-collection for actress Morena Baccarin ("Deadpool") to wear on vacation in Rio de Janeiro. Each collection must include three looks: daywear, evening wear, and beach wear.
Designers must work in teams to create cohesive looks that tell a vacation fashion story:
The designers are challenged to create over-the-top looks inspired by the movie "Rocketman,", the life story of musician Elton John. Designers receive help from some highly-qualified assistants for this project.
Guest Judge: Julian Day (costume designer for "Rocketman")
The designers dig deep into this challenge to use their skills to bring attention to a social cause they care about. Elaine Welteroth mentors each designer on channeling their creative voice for change. Designers also have to make and model their own printed T-shirts with their social message.
Guest Judge: Aurora James (founder and creative director of footwear company Brother Vellies)
The designers head to Christian Siriano's store and atelier, The Curated NYC, where they meet the women who keep New York City moving: a New York school teacher, and civic workers from the USPS, DSNY, FDNY, NYPD, and NYC Ferry. Each designer is asked to create a custom dream dress for their client.
It's the last challenge to determine which four designers move on to the finale; they must create their biggest and best looks as well as design experimental art installations. Rapper Cardi B attends the art installation event as Christian Siriano's guest and provides feedback to the designers.
After judging, the final four are given five months and $10,000 to create ten looks.
The four remaining designers arrive at a new work space to unpack their collections and learn their final challenge. Nina Garcia meets them at the Elle Magazine offices and the designers are sent spiraling when tasked with a surprise eleventh look. In the end, only three of them will move on to compete in the finale.
The final three designers grapple with all aspects of putting together an amazing runway, from model casting to hair and make up to deciding what outfits will give them the best chance for the win. Pressure is at an all-time high when they find out the guest judge is legendary designer Diane von Fürstenberg.
