Why "Project Runway" Judges Are Giving Fan-Favorite Past Contestants Another Chance

Published on 6/14/2023 at 6:00 PM

While there are many fashion-based reality shows, we can never forget the series that changed the game forever — "Project Runway." In 2004, the program, presented by Bravo, was "created to break the mold," in the words of longstanding judge Nina Garcia. Nearly 20 years later, the Emmy Award-winning series continues to capture our attention with unconventional challenges that inspire independent designers to hone their craft — and launch their careers into the stratosphere. "'Project Runway' came in and was an unexpected success from day one, but it brought an inclusivity to the industry and opened the door to getting a glimpse of what was, back then, a very closed and cliquey industry," Garcia tells POPSUGAR. "It really helped to herald a new way of looking at fashion and giving designers a real chance."

Some of today's most prominent designers have appeared on the show, including perennial fan-favorite Christian Siriano. The youngest winner of the show ever, Siriano went on to achieve tremendous success in the industry, becoming a mainstay on the New York Fashion Week runway and a member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. He's also returned to the show as a judge, along with Garcia, celebrity-favorite designer Brandon Maxwell, and New York Times bestselling author and journalist Elaine Welteroth. Other guest judges include Image Architect Law Roach, designer Sergio Hudson, and CFDA CEO Steven Kolb.

Now, the powerhouse judges are gearing up for their most anticipated season yet. In celebration of the show's 20th anniversary, 14 of the most beloved designers from past seasons are returning, including Brittany Allen, Fabio Costa, Bishme Cromartie, and Kara Saun. And their objective, over the course of the season, is to further discover their strengths and nurture them. "We want these designers to lean into who the hell they are, not who we think they are, not who the world expects them to be," Welteroth says. "Our job as judges is to get to know them through their work, really start to understand, to see and help them lean into where they shine."

Ahead, Garcia, Welteroth, and Maxwell open up about the upcoming season, their hope for fan-favorite past contestants, and their advice for the next generation of fashion designers. Keep reading for the full interview, and set a reminder for the two-part premiere of Bravo's "Project Runway All-Stars" season 20, airing on Thursday, June 15, at 8 p.m. ET.

Nina Garcia on Designer Selection For "Project Runway" Season 20's All-Stars

POPSUGAR: How did you go about selecting the designers for this All Stars Anniversary Edition?

Nina Garcia: What has been so incredible about working with the producers is that we started together on this incredibly important journey that kind of changed the industry. We worked together in bringing some of the voices and talent that perhaps did not win in past collections but that were unforgettable to us. They left a real imprint on us, and here was our all-star season to see what they were up to again. And I don't want to say it's a second chance or a third chance, but it's another chance to catch up on where they have been and where they could go.

Elaine Welteroth on Being a "Project Runway" Judge

PS: Being a show judge is all about sharing your opinion, but how do you maintain objectivity?

Elaine Welteroth: Fashion is subjective. It's emotional and about making you feel something. So there are times when maybe the perfectly sewn and constructed look may not win. There are times when the most creative work wins. There's times when it is about what's personal to us and how it resonates. That's the beauty of art and how we take it in. I don't think we can be completely objective because we are all bringing our experiences and a certain lens to how we're judging each of these designers.

Quoting Brandon on one of his famous quotes from season 17, "lean into who the hell you are." We want these designers to lean into who the hell they are, not who we think they are, not who the world expects them to be. Our job as judges is to get to know them through their work, really start to understand, to see and pull out the through lines and help them lean into where they shine. It's about understanding their context, where their strengths and weaknesses are, and helping them hone in on what makes them special.

Brandon Maxwell on Being a "Project Runway" Judge

PS: Being a show judge is all about opinion, but how do you maintain objectivity?

Brandon Maxwell: I never missed a season, so I would run home from college and we didn't have DVR then. To find myself on it many years later was not something I could have ever predicted. At first I felt like, oh gosh, I haven't been doing this long enough to be able to be on it. But ultimately, this season was particularly exciting for me because there's so many designers that were celebrities to me when I watched them 20 seasons ago, and now I'm judging them.

With any designer that you're working with, our ultimate goal on this show is to see them succeed, whether they win or not. They're part of the family, and we want them to have successful careers that they love and are proud of, no matter which lane of fashion they choose to go down or create for themselves. Of course, we give our opinion, but I think that I can speak for all of us that, especially this season, you're able to give objective feedback because you understand and have context for someone's work. And these designers, we know enough to know which advice is going to be helpful and which is not.

Nina Garcia on the Next Generation in Fashion

PS: As an industry powerhouse, what career advice do you have for the next generation in fashion?

NG: Be true to yourself. It is one of the best pieces of advice because you don't want to copy anybody else. You're in this industry to be creative and to be authentic, and that's what resonates right now. Fashion is a reflection of our society and a mirror of what people see on a daily basis. And that creative process needs to be fed and worked on.

Go out there and be authentic but also curious about what is happening around you in terms of art, music, and the culture. It's all influencing how fashion is going to move forward and where it all comes from.

Project Runway