Project Runway Season 21: Designers, Challenges & Who Will Win?

Sep 19, 2025

Project Runway Season 21: A Deep Dive into the Design Competition

Project Runway, the iconic fashion design competition, returned for its 21st season, promising fresh talent, innovative designs, and the high-stakes drama that fans have come to expect. This season, designers faced demanding challenges, critique from industry titans, and the ever-present pressure to create groundbreaking collections. This comprehensive guide explores the designers, challenges, judging panel, and overall trajectory of Season 21, offering insights into who had the potential to design their way to the top.

The Premise of Project Runway: A Recap

For those unfamiliar, Project Runway follows a group of aspiring fashion designers as they compete against each other to create the best clothes. Each week, designers face a new challenge, often with strict time constraints and limited resources. Their creations are judged by a panel of industry experts, and one designer is eliminated each week until only a few remain to present their final collections at New York Fashion Week. The winner receives a substantial prize package, including funding to start their own line and mentorship opportunities.

Meet the Designers of Season 21

The success of any Project Runway season hinges on the talent and personalities of its designers. Season 21 featured a diverse group of individuals from various backgrounds and with unique design aesthetics. Here's a closer look at some notable contestants:

Bishme Cromartie: Known for dramatic silhouettes and a keen eye for color, Bishme's bold designs often incorporated unconventional materials.
Brittany Allen: Focused on streetwear with a high-fashion twist, Brittany brought a youthful and energetic vibe to the competition.
Kara Saun: Kara impressed with her elegant and timeless designs.
Korto Momolu: Known for her vibrant African-inspired designs, Korto brought a unique cultural perspective to the runway.
Nora Pagel: With a focus on sustainable and ethical fashion, Nora aimed to create beautiful garments with a conscious approach.

Each designer brought a unique perspective, skillset, and personality to the competition, creating a dynamic and engaging viewing experience.

The Challenges: Testing Creativity and Skill

Project Runway is renowned for its creative and often demanding challenges. These challenges test the designers' ability to think on their feet, work under pressure, and adapt to unexpected constraints. Season 21 featured a range of challenges, including:

The Unconventional Materials Challenge: A classic Project Runway staple, this challenge requires designers to create garments using non-traditional materials such as recycled plastics, hardware supplies, or even food items. This challenge tests their creativity, resourcefulness, and ability to transform ordinary objects into extraordinary designs.
The Red Carpet Challenge: Designers are tasked with creating a show-stopping gown suitable for a red carpet event. This challenge assesses their understanding of high-fashion aesthetics, construction techniques, and ability to cater to celebrity clientele.
The Team Challenge: Designers must collaborate to create a cohesive collection based on a specific theme or aesthetic. This challenge tests their teamwork skills, communication abilities, and ability to compromise and incorporate different design perspectives. These challenges frequently lead to conflict and creative clashes, adding to the drama of the competition.
The Sustainable Fashion Challenge: Focusing on eco-conscious design, contestants are challenged to create garments utilizing recycled, upcycled, or sustainably sourced materials.

The challenges are designed to push the designers beyond their comfort zones and showcase their versatility and adaptability.

The Judging Panel: Industry Expertise and Constructive Criticism

The judging panel plays a crucial role in determining the fate of the designers. Composed of renowned fashion designers, editors, and stylists, the judges provide constructive criticism and expert opinions on the designers' creations. Their feedback helps the designers improve their skills and refine their aesthetic. For season 21, the judging panel was led by:

Nina Garcia: The Editor-in-Chief of Elle Magazine, Nina Garcia is a seasoned fashion journalist and critic known for her sharp wit and unwavering standards. Her expertise in high-fashion trends and editorial sensibility provides valuable insights for the designers.
Brandon Maxwell: A celebrated fashion designer known for his glamorous and sophisticated designs, Brandon Maxwell offers a designer's perspective on the construction, fit, and overall aesthetic of the garments.
Elaine Welteroth: A journalist, author, and former Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue, Elaine Welteroth brings a fresh and progressive perspective to the judging panel. Her understanding of youth culture and social media trends provides valuable insights into the evolving fashion landscape.
Guest Judges: Each week, a special guest judge joins the panel, adding their unique perspective and expertise to the evaluation process. Guest judges have included well-known designers, celebrities, and fashion influencers.

The judges' critiques often focus on elements like craftsmanship, originality, fit, marketability, and adherence to the challenge theme. The designers must learn to listen to the judges' feedback and incorporate it into their future designs.

Analyzing the Designs and Trends of Season 21

Season 21 showcased a diverse range of designs and trends, reflecting the evolving landscape of the fashion industry. Some notable trends included:

Sustainability: With increasing awareness of environmental issues, sustainable fashion emerged as a prominent theme. Designers experimented with recycled materials, upcycled garments, and eco-friendly production methods.
Inclusivity: The fashion industry is becoming more inclusive, and Season 21 reflected this trend. Designers embraced body positivity, diverse models, and designs that cater to a wider range of body types and cultural backgrounds.
Streetwear Influence: Streetwear continued to influence high fashion, with designers incorporating elements like hoodies, sneakers, and graphic prints into their collections.
Bold Colors and Prints: Designers embraced vibrant colors and eye-catching prints, adding a sense of energy and personality to their creations.

By analyzing the designs and trends of Season 21, viewers can gain insights into the current state of the fashion industry and the creative vision of the emerging designers.

Key Moments and Dramatic Turns

Project Runway is not just about fashion; it's also about the personal journeys of the designers and the drama that unfolds as they compete under pressure. Season 21 was filled with key moments and dramatic turns, including:

Unexpected Eliminations: Some talented designers were eliminated earlier than expected, shocking viewers and fellow contestants.
Creative Clashes: Disagreements and conflicts arose between designers, particularly during team challenges, adding tension and drama to the competition.
Emotional Breakthroughs: Designers shared personal stories and overcame creative blocks, demonstrating their resilience and passion for fashion.
Surprising Friendships: Despite the competitive environment, designers formed strong bonds and supported each other throughout the competition.

These moments added depth and emotion to the season, making it more than just a design competition.

Predicting the Winner: Who Had the Potential to Win?

Predicting the winner of Project Runway is always a challenging task, as the judges' preferences and the designers' ability to perform under pressure can be unpredictable. However, based on their consistently strong designs, creative vision, and ability to adapt to the challenges, some designers emerged as frontrunners:

Bishme Cromartie: With his bold designs and unique aesthetic, Bishme consistently impressed the judges with his creativity and execution. His ability to transform unconventional materials into stunning garments made him a strong contender.
Kara Saun: Kara's consistency and classic designs garnered consistent high scores throughout the season.
Korto Momolu: Her signature style and beautiful use of vibrant fabrics made Korto a fan favorite and a force to be reckoned with.

Ultimately, the winner of Project Runway needs to possess not only design talent but also the ability to articulate their vision, handle criticism, and thrive under pressure. These skills are essential for success in the competitive fashion industry.

The Finale and the Winner's Collection

The finale of Project Runway is the culmination of weeks of hard work and creative exploration. The remaining designers present their final collections at New York Fashion Week, showcasing their unique aesthetic and design vision to a panel of judges and industry professionals. The winner is chosen based on the overall quality, originality, and marketability of their collection.

The winner's collection often reflects their personal journey and design philosophy, incorporating elements of their cultural background, personal experiences, and artistic influences. The collection serves as a launchpad for their career, providing them with exposure, funding, and mentorship opportunities to establish their own fashion label.

The Impact of Project Runway on the Fashion Industry

Project Runway has had a significant impact on the fashion industry, providing a platform for emerging designers to showcase their talent and gain recognition. The show has launched the careers of numerous successful designers, including Christian Siriano, Leanne Marshall, and Brandon Maxwell (who later became a judge on the show). These designers have gone on to establish their own brands, collaborate with major retailers, and dress celebrities for red carpet events.

Project Runway has also helped to democratize fashion, bringing the design process and the personalities behind the clothes to a wider audience. The show has inspired aspiring designers and fashion enthusiasts around the world, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and express their creativity.

Lessons Learned from Project Runway Season 21

Project Runway offers valuable lessons for aspiring designers and anyone interested in the fashion industry. Some key takeaways from Season 21 include:

The Importance of Originality: Designers who create unique and innovative designs are more likely to stand out from the competition.
The Power of Storytelling: Designers who can articulate their vision and connect with their audience on an emotional level are more likely to succeed.
The Value of Collaboration: Designers who can collaborate effectively with others and incorporate different perspectives into their designs are more likely to create successful collections.
The Need for Resilience: Designers who can handle criticism, overcome challenges, and persevere in the face of adversity are more likely to achieve their goals.

By studying the successes and failures of the designers on Project Runway, aspiring fashion professionals can gain valuable insights into the industry and learn what it takes to thrive in a competitive environment.

The Future of Project Runway

As Project Runway continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the show adapts to the changing landscape of the fashion industry. With increasing emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity, and digital technology, future seasons of Project Runway are likely to reflect these trends.

The show may also explore new formats and challenges to keep the competition fresh and engaging. For example, future seasons could incorporate elements of virtual reality, artificial intelligence, or social media marketing to reflect the growing importance of these technologies in the fashion industry.

Ultimately, Project Runway will continue to serve as a platform for emerging designers to showcase their talent and inspire the next generation of fashion innovators.

The Enduring Appeal of Project Runway

Despite the ever-changing trends in the fashion world, Project Runway has maintained its enduring appeal for over two decades. The show's combination of creativity, competition, drama, and personal stories has captivated audiences around the world.

Project Runway offers viewers a glimpse into the inner workings of the fashion industry, showcasing the challenges, triumphs, and creative processes involved in designing clothes. The show also celebrates the diversity of talent and perspectives within the fashion community, providing a platform for designers from all backgrounds to share their stories and express their unique vision.

As long as there are aspiring designers with dreams of making it in the fashion world, Project Runway will continue to be a relevant and inspiring platform for showcasing their talent and launching their careers.

Beyond the Runway: Life After the Show

While winning Project Runway can be a huge boost to a designer's career, it's just the beginning of a long and challenging journey. Many factors contribute to a designer's long-term success, including business acumen, marketing savvy, and the ability to adapt to the ever-changing trends of the fashion industry.

Some Project Runway alumni have gone on to launch successful fashion labels, collaborate with major retailers, and dress celebrities for red carpet events. Others have chosen to pursue different paths, such as teaching, styling, or designing for private clients. Regardless of their chosen path, the experience of being on Project Runway provides designers with valuable skills, exposure, and connections that can help them succeed in the fashion industry.

The show also provides viewers with a glimpse into the realities of the fashion industry, showcasing the hard work, dedication, and resilience required to make it in this competitive field.

The Importance of Mentorship and Support

Throughout Project Runway, the designers receive guidance and mentorship from industry experts, including the judges and guest mentors. This mentorship is invaluable, providing the designers with feedback, advice, and encouragement to help them improve their skills and refine their aesthetic.

Mentorship and support are essential for success in any field, and the fashion industry is no exception. Aspiring designers often benefit from seeking out mentors who can provide guidance, share their experiences, and offer support during challenging times. Networking and building relationships within the industry are also crucial for gaining exposure, finding opportunities, and building a successful career.

The Evolving Definition of Success in Fashion

The definition of success in the fashion industry is constantly evolving. In the past, success was often defined by fame, wealth, and recognition from established fashion houses. However, in recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity, and social impact.

Designers who are committed to ethical and sustainable practices, who embrace diversity and inclusivity in their designs, and who use their platform to advocate for positive social change are increasingly seen as successful. Consumers are becoming more conscious of the impact of their purchasing decisions, and they are increasingly seeking out brands that align with their values.

As the fashion industry continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the definition of success continues to change and how Project Runway adapts to reflect these changes.

Conclusion: Project Runway's Lasting Legacy

Project Runway has left an indelible mark on the fashion industry, providing a platform for emerging designers, democratizing fashion, and inspiring a generation of creative individuals. Season 21 continued this legacy, showcasing a diverse range of talent, innovative designs, and compelling personal stories.

The show's enduring appeal lies in its ability to capture the drama, creativity, and passion of the fashion world, while also providing valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of pursuing a career in this competitive industry. As Project Runway continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly continue to inspire and empower aspiring designers for years to come.