Project Runway (season 20)
The twentieth season of Project Runway was announced to air with a two-part premiere on June 15, 2023, on Bravo. To celebrate this milestone season, the show invited fourteen designers from across all nineteen seasons to return for an All-Stars format competition instead of appearing on its separate spin-off show, Project Runway All Stars, which was retired after the bankruptcy of its former production company, The Weinstein Company.
| Project Runway | |
|---|---|
| Season 20 | |
| No. of tasks | 13 |
| No. of contestants | 14 |
| Winner | Bishme Cromartie |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Release | |
| Original network | Bravo |
| Original release | June 15 – September 7, 2023 |
| Season chronology | |
Elle editor-in-chief Nina Garcia, fashion designer Brandon Maxwell, and journalist Elaine Welteroth all reprised their roles as judges, while season 4 winner Christian Siriano reprised his role as mentor on the show. They will be joined by guest judges on the panel each week.
The winner will receive a cash prize of $250,000, a mentorship with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and a spread in Elle magazine.
Contestants
| Contestant[1] | Age | Hometown | Original season(s) | Original placement(s) | Finish | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nora Pagel | 39 | Metuchen, New Jersey | Season 1 | 8 | Episode 2 | 14 |
| Mila Hermanovski | 54 | Los Angeles, California | Season 7 | 3 | Episode 3 | 13 |
| All Stars 1 | 6 | |||||
| Viktor Luna | 41 | Los Angeles, California | Season 9 | 3 | Episode 4 | 12 |
| All Stars 3 | 5 | |||||
| Hester Sunshine | 38 | New York City, New York | Season 17 | 2 | Episode 5 | 11 |
| Kayne Gillaspie | 44 | Nashville, Tennessee | Season 3 | 5 | Episode 6 | 10 |
| All Stars 2 | 9 | |||||
| Fabio Costa | 39 | Belo Horizonte, Brazil | Season 10 | 2 | Episode 7 | 9 |
| All Stars 4 | 5 | |||||
| All Stars 6 | 2-3 | |||||
| Anna Yinan Zhou | 33 | San Francisco, California | Season 19 | 7 | Episode 9 | 8 |
| Kara Saun | 54 | Los Angeles, California | Season 1 | 2 | Episode 10 | 7 |
| Korto Momolu | 47 | Little Rock, Arkansas | Season 5 | 2 | Episode 11 | 6 |
| All Stars 3 | 2 | |||||
| Prajjé Oscar Jean-Baptiste | 38 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Season 19 | 8 | Episode 12 | 5 |
| Rami Kashou | 46 | New York City, New York | Season 4 | 2 | Episode 13 | 4 |
| All Stars 1 | 8 | |||||
| Brittany Allen | 32 | Austin, Texas | Season 18 | 5-6 | Episode 14 | 3-2 |
| Laurence Basse | 47 | Los Angeles, California | Season 15 | 3 | ||
| Bishme Cromartie | 32 | Los Angeles, California | Season 17 | 4 | 1 |
Designer progress
| Designer | Challenges | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | ||
| ANNIKA | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | ||||||||||
| BRENDA | LOW | IN | IN | LOW | IN | ||||||||||
| BRITTANY | IN | HIGH | IN | LOW | IN | ||||||||||
| BRUNO | IN | LOW | IN | IN | WIN | ||||||||||
| FANNY | IN | IN | LOW | IN | LOW | ||||||||||
| HEATHER | IN | IN | IN | HIGH | IN | ||||||||||
| KENLEY | LOW | IN | LOW | WIN | IN | ||||||||||
| KIT | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | ||||||||||
| MARIE GENEVIEVE | IN | IN | IN | IN | HIGH | ||||||||||
| MORTICIA | WIN | IN | IN | IN | HIGH | ||||||||||
| THE TRIPLETS | IN | IN | HIGH | IN | LOW | ||||||||||
| TYNE | LOW | IN | IN | IN | IN | ||||||||||
| ALANA | HIGH | LOW | LOW | HIGH | OUT | ||||||||||
| SIOBHAN | IN | HIGH | HIGH | IN | OUT | ||||||||||
| FRAISSE | IN | IN | WIN | IN | OUT | ||||||||||
| KITTY | IN | WIN | IN | OUT | |||||||||||
| MIRJANA | IN | IN | LOW | OUT | |||||||||||
| ALAM | IN | IN | OUT | ||||||||||||
| VITOR | HIGH | IN | OUT | ||||||||||||
| TRESSA | IN | OUT | |||||||||||||
| CIRIE | OUT | ||||||||||||||
| ASHLEY | OUT | ||||||||||||||
| KORTO | OUT | ||||||||||||||
| LUCIPHER | OUT | ||||||||||||||
| SAMANTHA | OUT | ||||||||||||||
| RAIN | OUT | ||||||||||||||
Contestants
| Contestant | Status | Original Season(s)) | Placement | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annika Frederickssen | Veteran | Season 15 | 8th | TBA |
| Brenda Winford | Veteran | Season 13 | 10th | TBA |
| Brittany Jaunzeme | Veteran | Season 16 | 4th | TBA |
| Bruno Viola | Newbie | X | X | TBA |
| Fanny Hicks | Veteran | Season 4 | 10th | TBA |
| Heather Possolo | Veteran | Season 15 | 6th | TBA |
| Kenley Vonngut | Newbie | X | X | TBA |
| Kit Arky | Veteran | Season 15 | 10th | TBA |
| Marie Genevieve Payne | Newbie | X | X | TBA |
| Morticia Spellman | Newbie | X | X | TBA |
| The Triplets (Mitsy, Molly and Polly Kirsch) | Newbie | X | X | TBA |
| Tyne Lambert | Newbie | X | X | TBA |
| Alana Scurlock | Newbie | X | X | 13th/14th |
| Siobhan Ellis Robertson | Veteran | Season 15 | 7th | 13th/14th |
| Fraisse Novak | Veteran | Seasons 9 & 17 | 11th & 10th | 15th |
| Kitty Taylor | Newbie | X | X | 16th |
| Mirjana Patton | Newbie | X | X | 17th |
| Alam Mountbatten | Newbie | X | X | 18th |
| Vitor Cruz | Veteran | Season 14 | 4th | 19th |
| Tressa Bonner-Weir | Veteran | Season 15 | Runner-Up | 20th |
| Cirie Kane | Veteran | Season 13 | Runner-Up | 21st |
| Ashley Marie Lang | Newbie | X | X | 22nd |
| Korto Smith | Veteran | Season 16 | 3rd | 23rd/24th/25th |
| Lucipher DeVille | Newbie | X | X | 23rd/24th/25th |
| Samantha Pham | Veteran | Seasons 4 & 5 | 8th & 13th | 23rd/24th/25th |
| Rain Del Mar | Veteran | Season 14 | 7th | 26th |
Model progress
| Model | Episodes | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | ||||||||||
| Jessica M | LB | PB | KM/PB | KS | KS | RK | - | - | BC | LB | - | BC | BC | |||||||||
| Mimi | FC | LB | HS/FC | BA | LB | BC | BC | - | RK | PB | - | LB | BA | |||||||||
| Roberta | RK | VL | KS/LB | KM | PB | - | AZ | - | KM | - | - | - | LB | |||||||||
| Luz | PB | KM | - | PB | RK | BA | KM | - | PB | BA | - | RK | OUT | |||||||||
| Shanae | AZ | - | - | AZ | BC | KS | RK | - | KS | BC | - | BA | OUT | |||||||||
| Ren | - | BA | VL/KG | KG | FC | - | LB | - | BA | KM | - | OUT | ||||||||||
| Emilee | NP | AZ | - | - | KM | - | PB | - | - | RK | - | OUT | ||||||||||
| Jessica Z | VL | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | LB | OUT | ||||||||||||
| Liris | KS | RK | - | - | KG | - | KS | - | OUT | |||||||||||||
| DD | KM | MH | - | HS | AZ | KM | BA | - | OUT | |||||||||||||
| Mariel | BA | HS | - | RK | BA | - | OUT | |||||||||||||||
| Elise | KG | FC | BA/AZ | BC | OUT | |||||||||||||||||
| Sarah | MH | KG | RK/BC | LB | OUT | |||||||||||||||||
| Anastasiia | HS | BC | - | FC | OUT | |||||||||||||||||
| Naimah | BC | KS | - | OUT | ||||||||||||||||||
- Anna Yinan Zhou - AZ
- Bishme Cromartie - BC
- Brittany Allen - BA
- Fabio Costa - FC
- Hester Sunshine - HS
- Kayne Gillaspie - KG
- Kara Saun - KS
- Korto Momolu - KM
- Laurence Basse - LB
- Mila Hermanovski - MH
- Nora Pagel - NP
- Prajjé Oscar Jean Baptiste - PB
- Rami Kashou - RK
- Viktor Luna - VL
Guest judges
- Alicia Silverstone, actress
- Stacey Bendet, "alice + olivia" CEO & founder
- Wes Gordon, Carolina Herrera creative director
- Lena Waithe, actor
- Jennie Garth, actress
- Sergio Hudson, designer
- Paulina Porizkova, model
- Willy Chavarria, designer
- Julia Fox, actress
- Kate Chastain, from Below Deck
- Luann de Lesseps, from The Real Housewives of New York City
- Batsheva Hay, designer
- Coleman Domingo, Emmy-winning actor
- Law Roach, image architect
- Steven Kolb, Council of Fashion Designers of America CEO
- Zac Posen, fashion designer
- Billy Porter, actor
Episodes
Episode 1: Meet the All-Stars
Original airdate: June 14, 2023
Fourteen of the most beloved designers from across 19 seasons of Project Runway descend on New York once again to vie for the coveted title that has eluded them all. The iconic designers meet one another and catch up on their successes after leaving the runway. The fun and games come to an end, however, when famed judge Nina Garcia and mentor Christian Siriano arrive to give them an unwanted history lesson and their first challenge of the season.[2]
Episode 2: Project Redemption
Original airdate: June 15, 2023
For their very first challenge of the competition, the designers have to rewrite history by reinventing the look that either got them eliminated or gave them the lowest score in their past and turn it into a high-fashion moment for the runways of today.
- Guest Judge: Alicia Silverstone
- WINNER: Kayne Gillaspie
- ELIMINATED: Nora Pagel
Episode 3: Toying With Fashion
Original airdate: June 22, 2023
It’s neither fun nor games as the designers must tackle the most feared challenge in the Project Runway canon: the unconventional materials challenge. The fur begins to fly as the all-stars are tasked with creating whimsical runway looks using toys from New York City’s most iconic toy store, FAO Schwarz.
- Guest Judge: Stacey Bendet
- WINNER: Viktor Luna
- ELIMINATED: Mila Hermanovski
Episode 4: Coronation Day
Original airdate: June 29, 2023
It's the first dreaded team challenge of the season, and the designers are heading to the ball because it's Coronation Day. The designers are blindly paired together and tasked with creating couture modern gowns that exemplify royalty.
| Teams |
|---|
| Kayne & Viktor |
| Brittany & Anna |
| Hester & Fabio |
| Kara & Laurence |
| Prajje & Korto |
| Rami & Bishme |
- Guest Judge: Wes Gordon
- WINNER: Korto Momolu
- ELIMINATED: Viktor Luna
Episode 5: Seeing Red
Original airdate: July 6, 2023
In a Project Runway first, the designers are forced to share a single bolt of fabric to demonstrate how they can stand out from one another and prove why they're the top designer. Tensions run high, and the drama comes to a head after the challenge.
- Guest Judge: Lena Waithe
- WINNER: Brittany Allen
- ELIMINATED: Hester Sunshine
Episode 6: Like Totally '90s
Original airdate: July 13, 2023
The style trends of the 1990s are flooding the runways in America and abroad. In this team challenge, the designers must create chic and cohesive mini collections inspired by the '90s.
| Team Blue | Team Red |
|---|---|
| Laurence, Bishme, Prajje, Korto, and Rami | Kayne, Brittany, Fabio, Kara, and Anna |
- Guest Judge: Jennie Garth
- WINNER: Laurence Basse
- ELIMINATED: Kayne Gillaspie
Episode 7: Fashion, Inside Out
Original airdate: July 20, 2023
The jockstrap is back. The all-stars must create high-fashion looks featuring couture undergarments in this one-day challenge with everything: laughter, adrenaline, tears and a whole lot of skin.
- Guest Judge: Sergio Hudson (sitting in for Nina Garcia) & Paulina Porizkova
- WINNER: Kara Saun
- ELIMINATED: Fabio Costa
Episode 8: Uncut Hems
Original airdate: July 27, 2023
It's the halfway point and the designers are hitting the road to a denim explosion. In a Project Runway throwback challenge, they'll create all-denim looks while competing in head-to-head battles where only one designer can be safe from elimination.
| Kara Saun vs. Anna | Brittany vs. Laurence | Rami vs. Korto | Bishme vs. Prajje |
- Guest Judge: Willy Chavarria (sitting in for Nina Garcia) & Julia Fox
- WINNER: Laurence Basse
- Saved: Rami Kashou
Episode 9: Below Decked Out
Original airdate: August 3, 2023
Fan favorites from Bravo's Below Deck will be walking the runway in the infamous Real Client Challenge. The designers attempt to steer the ship toward winning waters while at the same time trying to keep up with the yachties' fashion requests... and livers.
- Guest Judge: Kate Chastain & Luann de Lesseps
- WINNER: Bishme Cromartie
- ELIMINATED: Anna Yinan Zhou
Episode 10: Freedom
Original airdate: August 10, 2023
Hold on to your seats, because Project Runway is about to make history. For the first time, our final seven designers are given the freedom to design whatever they want for this challenge.
- WINNER: Bishme Cromartie
- ELIMINATED: Kara Saun
Episode 11: Double Bind
Original airdate: August 17, 2023
The designers are faced with one of their hardest tasks yet: a one-day challenge that forces them to create one runway look that showcases two opposing fashion styles.
- Guest Judge: Batsheva Hay
- WINNER: Laurence Basse
- ELIMINATED: Korto Momolu
Episode 12: Let Me See Your Peacock
Original airdate: August 24, 2023
The era of "male peacocking" is upon us, and this week every feather is standing at full attention. The five remaining All-Stars must create show-stopping, red carpet menswear looks that fully embrace the trend toward the flamboyant.
- Guest Judge: Colman Domingo
- WINNER: Rami Kashou
- ELIMINATED: Prajjé Oscar Jean Baptiste
Episode 13: The Sky's The Limit
Original airdate: August 31, 2023
Avant-garde looks inspired by the SUMMIT One Vanderbilt observation deck / interactive art installation by Kenzo Digital.
- Guest Judge: Steven Kolb & Law Roach
- WINNER: Bishme Cromartie
- ELIMINATED: Rami Kashou
Episode 14: The Finale
Original airdate: September 7, 2023
- Guest Judge: Zac Posen (sitting in for Brandon Maxwell) & Billy Porter
- WINNER OF PROJECT RUNWAY: Bishme Cromartie
- Runners Up: Laurence Basse,Brittany Allen
Notes
References
- "Project Runway Season 20 Premiere Recap: The All-Stars Align". Elle. June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
- "Meet the All-Stars". Bravo. June 14, 2023.