When Project Runway was renewed for its 21st season, fans were concerned about how the reality TV show was going to make it work.

The long-running fashion design show moves from Bravo to Disney when the new season premieres in 2025. Variety reported that the show will air on the Freeform network and later become available on Hulu and Disney+. Heidi Klum was recently announced by PEOPLE as returning to hosting duties after leaving the show in 2018.

Heidi Klum originally hosted the reality competition and was joined by mentor Tim Gunn before the pair left after 16 seasons, with Karlie Kloss took over hosting duties for two seasons. The show has launched the careers of several fashion designers, most notably Christian Siriano. So, what can Project Runway do to improve the upcoming 21st season, and where did it all go wrong for the once-popular show?

Why Fans Originally Lost Interest In Project Runway

A Reddit thread chronicling why fans lost interest in Project Runway highlights why audiences turned the long-running reality show off.

Viewers noted that the quality of designers appeared to have diminished because there are various ways of becoming successful these days as opposed to early seasons. When Project Runway started, social media was in its infancy, so designers needed television for exposure. Now, they can gain exposure via platforms like Instagram and TikTok, which means they have less of a need to appear on the show for popularity.

Former Judges On Project Runway

As a comment on Reddit pointed out. "When [Project Runway] first started, unless you were a big name, you really didn't have a chance. You had to come up through the ranks of a big design house. PR was a shortcut. Now, there are other shortcuts."

• Other people noted that the competition series' format was struggling overall, not just Project Runway.

"Maybe there’s an audience for all that manufactured drama, using scene cuts and dramatic music to hook viewers, but every time there’s a commercial break that suggests some sort of trouble that is revealed to be a total nothing, I just want to barf."

A significant number of users commented on their frustration at the judges, who they claim are inconsistent and show signs of impartiality. In a Reddit post about the future of the show, a commenter explained how they think the judging panel could be improved with the show going forward.

I want real people in the fashion industry, not influencers trying to make a buck and get more followers. Or actors/musicians that work with designers all the time and can give reasonable feedback (Debra Messing was always a good one at this).

Another Redditor said that they wished "the judges could give constructive criticism and comments based on garment construction, fashion appeal and even marketability." The same comment also notes that they would prefer Christian Siriano to judge rather than mentor, as he was too opinionated and didn't give enough feedback.

Despite the skepticism from the audience, most people admitted the reality show stands out from other fashion competitions, including Making the Cut, Next in Fashion, and The Hype.

In 2008, the show won a Peabody Award "for using the 'television reality contest' genre to engage, inform, enlighten and entertain."

The Issues Project Runway Had With The Network

ScreenRant reported that Project Runway season 21 returns in 2025 to a new network after many wondered if Season 20 would be the last. The long-running fashion design competition will air the 10-episode series on the Disney-owned Freeform network in 2025, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Since debuting on Bravo in 2004, Project Runway has appeared on multiple networks and has numerous producers and hosts. One of the issues fans have is the lack of consistency in the format. Some believe the show is dated, while others have lamented how the format has evolved so much it has lost its original charm.

“Project Runway is an iconic television juggernaut that perfectly complements the pop-culture spirit at Freeform,” Simran Sethi (who became President of scripted programming, Hulu Originals, and ABC Entertainment in 2024) said in a statement at the time.

According to Business Insider, Project Runway has since been embroiled in a messy argument between networks and companies after producers The Weinstein Company announced that the show would move from Bravo to Lifetime, starting a long legal battle.

• The show debuted on Bravo, where the first five seasons aired.
• It was then sold to The Weinstein Company, who aired the reality competition show for 11 seasons.
• After the Harvey Weinstein sexual predator scandal, his production company went under, and the rights to Project Runway went up for grabs.

Andy Cohen announced in 2018 that the show would be returning home to Bravo without Heidi Klum and Tin Gunn. However, Reality Tea reported that Bravo quietly canceled the show after an All-Stars edition. Luckily, the reality show has come back to life for its 21st outing, with Klum returning to the runway.

How Project Runway Could Improve In Future Seasons

While audiences have given up on Project Runway, a few minor changes could breathe life into a show that many consider dead.

Karlie Kloss was the last host before Christian Siriano took over the role as host/mentor. Many have noted that the show would be greatly improved by having an anchor who can act totally impartial towards the designers.

The producers have obviously heard the cries from audiences, as Heidi Klum is set to return as a host after leaving in 2018. This could be a sign the show is returning to its glory days as Heidi brings a sense of fun and fashion knowledge Project Runway was missing in its recent seasons.

Fans of the show have also suggested a change in the judging panel. Michael Kors and his sometimes harsh criticism have been much missed, with the new judging panel being described as too nice. While long-term judge Nina Garcia is a fan favorite, there has been chatter that she is too nice, and they miss her often mean judgment of the designs.

newer judge, Elaine Welteroth, is also a less popular addition to Project Runway. The American journalist is considered too "fake" and has been criticized for being more concerned with the political message behind the garments than the designs themselves.

A Reddit commenter summed up the opinion of many when they wrote, "There's only one way to go now, and that's back to basics. Make it less polished, more grungey, more raw. Bring back mean Michael Kors."

In recent seasons, the show has leaned towards shorter, one-day challenges. Fans hope, moving forward, that they can give fashion designers more time so they can make higher-quality garments.

I also wish participants were given enough time and resources. Many one-day challenges result in outfits that lack sufficient quality overall, which is disappointing to people who want to see the designers deliver their best work.

Other Ideas for Future Seasons of Project Runway

• A menswear-only season
• Concentrating on sustainability
• More diversity on the judging panel
• More wearable clothing challenges
• Cast former junior contestants to see how far they have come