Season 11
There is no "I" in "Team" but there is in "Fashion!" Project Runway's Season 11 returns with a twist that throws 16 eager designers into a panic when they discover they will be participating in the series' first-ever Teams Edition.
This season, the controversial "team challenges" are taken to a whole new level when the designers must work together for every challenge while ensuring their own garments stand out on the runway to host and judge Heidi Klum, Marie Claire's Fashion Director Nina Garcia and new featured judge, award-winning fashion designer Zac Posen.
The game-changing new element will push designers to work collaboratively but who will be a team player and who will throw their teammates under the bus?
Tim Gunn, will, once again, serve as the mentor to the designers, as they sew their way to New York Fashion Week at Lincoln Centerwhere Michael Kors will serve as the finale guest judge.
In the premiere episode, the designers will use New York as their inspiration to create their garments but discover working in teams for the entire season will challenge their patience and creativity.
The designers will have to watch their backs while keeping their eyes on the prize as they work together to impress Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Nina Garcia and featured judge Zac Posen and guest judge, Season 4 Project Runway winner Christian Siriano.
Project Runway's 11th season also features guest judges from the world of film, television and music including the legendary Bette Midler, Oscar winner Susan Sarandon, country music sensation and Grammy Award winner Miranda Lambert, Grammy-winning singer songwriter John Legend, red-carpet fashion experts Joan and Melissa Rivers, Emmy Rossum, Kristin Davis, Jordana Brewster and designers Rachel Roy, Tracy Reese, Chris Benz and Project Runway winner Christian Siriano.
Lifetime also aired the special Road to the Runway prior to the premiere as an introduction to the new designers. Hosted by Marie Claire's Zanna Roberts Rassi, the special also features commentary from Project Runway All Stars winner Mondo Guerra and designer alum Laura Kathleen.
Season 11 Contestants
Amanda Valentine, 31 - Hometown: Lincoln, NE; Resides in Nashville, TN
Benjamin Mach, 35 - Hometown: Sydney, Australia; Resides in London, England
Cindy Marlatt, 59 - Hometown: Kent, WA; Resides in Kent, WA
Daniel Esquivel, 48 - Hometown: Austin, TX; Resides in Austin, TX
Emily Pollard, 24 - Hometown: Richfield, OH; Resides in Falls Church, VA
James Martinez, 29 - Hometown: Dallas, TX; Resides in Dallas, TX
Joseph Aaron Segal, 30 - Hometown: Framingham, MA; Resides in Providence, RI
Katelyn Pankoke, 23 - Hometown: Parkland, FL; Resides in Chicago, IL
Layana Aguilar, 28 - Hometown: Valadares, Brazil; Resides in New York, NY
Mat Arthur, 30 - Hometown: Hammond, LA; Resides in New Orleans, LA
Michelle Lesniak Franklin, 34 - Hometown: Portland, OR; Resides in Portland, OR
Patricia Michaels, 46 - Hometown: Taos, NM; Resides in Taos, NM
Richard Hallmarq, 40 - Hometown: Sacramento, CA; Resides in Sacramento, CA
Samantha Black, 28 - Hometown: Bronx, NY/ Fairfield, CT; Resides in Brooklyn, NY
Stanley Hudson, 45- Hometown: Pomona, CA; Resides in West Hollywood, CA
Tu Nakchat, 26 - Hometown: Chacheangsao, Thailand; Resides in Springfield, VA
As part of the winner's prize package, this season's victorious designer will receive $100,000 from L'Oréal Paris to start his/her own line, a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine, a 2013 Lexus GS 350, a $50,000 technology suite by HP and Intel to create his/her own vision and run his/her business and the opportunity to design and sell an exclusive collection at Lord & Taylor.
The model paired with the winner of Project Runway will also appear in the designer's Marie Claire editorial feature and receive $25,000 from L'Oréal Paris EverStyle.
About the Show
Hosted by supermodel and fashion maven Heidi Klum, the hit series Project Runway provides budding designers with an opportunity to launch their careers in fashion, under the watchful eyes of mentor Tim Gunn and judges Nina Garcia and Zac Posen.
Project Runway is produced by The Weinstein Company, Miramax Films, Bunim-Murray Productions and Full Picture Entertainment. Executive producers include Bob and Harvey Weinstein (Co-Chairmen of The Weinstein Company), Meryl Poster and Barbara Schneeweiss of The Weinstein Company, Jonathan Murray, Sara Rea and Colleen Sands of Bunim/Murray Productions, Heidi Klum, and Jane Cha Cutler and Desiree Gruber of Full Picture Entertainment.
Rob Sharenow, Gena McCarthy and David Hillman of Lifetime also executive produce.