'Project Runway' Season 17 preview: New judges and 90-minute episodes, here's everything you need to know

'Project Runway' Season 17 preview: New judges and 90-minute episodes, here's everything you need to know

The fashion gods have heard your prayers — 'Project Runway' is finally back with a new season this March. What's more, the iconic fashion competition is coming back with two new judges, a fresh new mentor, host, and supersized 90-minute episodes. Judging from the trailer for season 17, the show this year will be all about fashion evolution. We'll be seeing a lot of plus size fashion, fast fashion as well as a special challenge inspired by Elton John in 'Rocketman'. This season also includes the first-ever Flash Sale challenge. Who's excited?

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What's new this season

Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn have taken a bow and supermodel and entrepreneur Karlie Kloss will join as host along with former 'Project Runway' champion and celebrated CFDA fashion designer Christian Siriano, who is coming back to the show as a mentor.  ELLE Editor-in-Chief Nina Garcia remains from the old lineup of judges. Fashion designer Brandon Maxwell and former Teen Vogue Editor-in-Chief Elaine Welteroth also join the judging panel.

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This season's champion will also receive the largest prize in the show’s history, a sum of $250,000 along with a feature in ELLE, and his or her own featured role in a Bluprint digital series as well as $50,000 to put toward their own design studio, also courtesy of Bluprint. Another one in the series of firsts, 'Project Runway' is also partnering with CFDA (The Council of Fashion Designers of America) for a one-on-one mentorship including all the tools and connections to create, grow, and sustain a business in fashion. There are also guest judges who will come in from time to time, including Kendall Jenner's stylist as well as the fashionable eye behind Beyonce's Lemonade Marni Senofonte, Danielle Brooks, Dapper Dan and rapper Cardi B.

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The aspiring designers

A total of 16 new designers from across the United States and abroad will compete for the coveted spot that leads them to showcase their final designs in an exclusive 'Project Runway' fashion show. The runway is actually revamped this time and definitely looks much bigger from the promo. The workstations too, look like they are definitely expecting some insane pressure. Additionally, in several episodes, there will be voting lines that can possibly get you a look right from the Runway to your closet. 

 

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There is also a lot of drama as one can tell from the trailer — but can you really blame them? The competition is cutthroat, the challenges are difficult and as Heidi Klum always said, "In fashion, one day you're in and the next day, you're out."

This is 'Project Runway's first season on Bravo since its fifth one 

This season of 'Project Runway' is definitely a victory as well as a homecoming. It was just last year that its future was in limbo. Just until recently, Weinstein Co. owned 'Project Runway' and its two spin-offs, 'Junior' and 'All-Stars'.

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All of the series aired on A+E's subsidiary Lifetime. With the disturbing allegations that came forth about Harvey Weinstein, the network pulled out of their deal and refused to renew the show. Moreover, there were also allegations that Weinstein was using the show as a "pipeline" to reach out to young female models. Then, Lantern Entertainment, the company that purchased the entire assets in a bankruptcy auction of the Weinstein Company signed a deal between the NBCUniversal network and the fashion show came back home. 'Project Runway' first premiered on Bravo back in 2004 and aired there for five seasons before relocating to Lifetime.

'Project Runway' returns with season 17 on Thursday, March 14 at 8 pm ET/PT.

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