Season 21 of Project Runway arrives Thursday, July 31st with a two-episode premiere airing at 9:00 p.m. EST on Freeform. The show will also stream on Hulu and Disney+. The ten-episode season brings back Heidi Klum as host, Christian Siriano as mentor, and Nina Garcia at the judges’ table. Law Roach, a fashion force in his own right, joins them as a new judge.
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Originally launched in 2004, Project Runway created a new space for fashion on television. The show built careers and inspired audiences globally, airing in over 125 countries. This new season updates the format while staying true to its roots: a competition that challenges designers to push their creativity and build something real under pressure.
Season 21 features an eclectic and high-profile group of guest judges who step in to critique each week’s designs. Christian Cowan, Harris Reed, Jenna Lyons, Joan Smalls, Michael Kors, Mickey Guyton, Nikki Glaser, Sara Foster, Sofia Vergara, Tyra Banks, and Zac Posen round out the guest list. Each brings a different lens to the judging panel, offering designers a wide range of insight and reaction.
This season introduces twelve designers who bring personal stories and unique aesthetics to the runway.
Alex Foxworth, from Greensboro, NC, channels both Southern strength and New York energy. She takes inspiration from her Japanese grandmother and incorporates kimono techniques into grounded, structured designs.
Angelo Rosa, based in Providence, RI, builds luxury streetwear rooted in his Dominican background and New York edge. As a single father, Angelo ties resilience and risk into each piece.
Antonio Estrada, born in Mexico and raised in California, previously designed alongside his twin Jesus. This season, Antonio presents his own perspective through couture that feels sharp, intuitive, and rebellious.
Belania Daley, raised on Long Island, started sewing at 13 and brings bold color-blocking and fearless pattern-mixing to her elevated streetwear.
Caycee Black, back from Season 19, reenters the competition with her hand-painted prints, gender-fluid silhouettes, and a creative lens shaped by her Houston roots.
Ethan Mundt, widely known as RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Utica Queen, combines drama, avant-garde structure, and performance-driven design with a surrealist twist.
Jesus Estrada, from Season 7, returns to reclaim his voice as a designer. His work pays homage to old Hollywood while channeling a confident queer identity through modern tailoring and saturated color.
Joan Madison, from Queens, NY, brings high energy, maximal glamour, and a love for shine. Her theatrical approach puts emotion and impact front and center.
Joseph McRae, originally an electrical engineer from Charlotte, NC, takes his technical skills to the sewing machine. His designs push against convention, delivered with his signature charm and directness.
Madeline Malenfant, from Nantucket, looks to the Renaissance for structure and references. She reconstructs vintage silhouettes into modern designs rooted in storytelling and historical form.
Veejay Floresca, a trans woman from the Philippines, delivers a focused aesthetic that balances artistic instinct with wearability. Her competitive drive adds an extra layer to each look she sends down the runway.
Yuchen Han, born in Xining, China, draws from sci-fi and futurism. His designs pull inspiration from alien aesthetics and explore personal growth through shape and structure.
With returning names, new energy, and a wide creative range, Season 21 presents a cast ready to challenge each other and evolve through the process. Project Runway continues to build a platform for voices that stretch beyond fashion.
