Project Runway Season 17 is the seventeenth season of the television show Project Runway, returning to Bravo for the first time since season 5. The season began on Thursday, March 14, 2019. Sixteen designers compete to become "the next great American designer." This was the first season to feature: Karlie Kloss taking over for Heidi Klum, Brandon Maxwell as Zac Posen's replacement, additional judge and former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue, Elaine Welteroth, as well as returning judge and editor-in-chief of Elle, Nina Garcia. In addition, season 4 winner Christian Siriano replaced Tim Gunn's role as mentor throughout the competition.
In 2023, Hester Sunshine and Bishme Cromartie returned to compete on season 20 with Hester placing 11th out of 14 and Bishme winning the competition.
Contestants + Cavanagh Baker 26 Nashville, TennesseeEpisode 116th place Frankie Lewis 30Louisville, KentuckyEpisode 215th place Nadine Ralliford 47Stone Mountain, GeorgiaEpisode 314th placeAfa Ah Loo †Former 'Project Runway' Designer Identified as Fatal Victim in Shooting at 'No Kings' March in Salt Lake City32Orem, UtahEpisode 413th place Kovid Kapoor 29 Brooklyn, New YorkEpisode 512th place Rakan Shams Aldeen 30Chicago, IllinoisEpisode 611th place Sonia Kasparian 55Portland, OregonEpisode 710th place Renee Hill 51Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaEpisode 89th place Lela Orr 29Monroe, LouisianaEpisode 98th place Venny Etienne 31 Dallas, TexasEpisode 107th place Jamall Osterholm 23Providence, Rhode IslandEpisode 116th place Tessa Clark 27Cincinnati, OhioEpisode 125th place Bishme Cromartie 27Baltimore, MarylandEpisode 134th placeGary "Garo Sparo" Spampinato 45New York, New YorkBorn in West Islip, New York, and raised in Bay Shore, New York, and Cary, North Carolina, per Episode 143rd place Hester Sunshine 34 Santa Fe, New Mexico Sebastian Grey 31 Cali, Colombia
Designer progress DesignerEpisodesEliminated episode1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Sebastian IN WINHIGHININININININ HIGH WIN HIGH ADV14 - Finale, Part 2Hester ININ WIN HIGHIN WIN LOW WINININ LOWLOW ADVGaro ININ LOWIN HIGH HIGHIN HIGH WIN LOW HIGH WIN ADVBishme ININININ WININ LOW HIGH HIGH WIN HIGH HIGH OUT Tessa WIN HIGHINININ HIGHININ LOWIN LOW OUT Jamall ININININ LOW LOW WIN LOW HIGH HIGH OUT Venny HIGHINININHIGH LOWHIGH LOW LOW OUT Lela LOWINININININ HIGHIN OUT Renee HIGHLOWINWININININ OUT Sonia INININ LOWININ OUT Rakan ININ LOW HIGH LOWOUT Kovid IN LOW HIGH LOW OUT Afa IN HIGHINOUT Nadine ININOUT Frankie LOW OUT Cavanagh OUT
: From episode 9 onward, challenge winners no longer received immunity. : Despite two designers being marked safe, every designer was given a critique. : In episode 13, it was revealed that instead of four designers, only three of the designers will be able to show their collection at the Finale.
The designer won Project Runway Season 17. The designer advanced to the Finale. The designer won the challenge. The designer came in second but did not win the challenge. The designer had one of the highest scores for that challenge, but did not win. The designer had one of the lowest scores for that challenge, but was not eliminated. The designer was in the bottom two, but was not eliminated. The designer lost and was eliminated from the competition.
Model progress ModelEpisodes1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 NoraRHNRKKRHRHRHRHGS -VE -TC-SGThijinJOGSSKKKHSHSVEHS -BC -HSGSHSSarahGSVERASGTCTCHSBC -HS -GSGSGSMimiKKBCJOALGSGSSGSG -JO -SG--AvianaHSALHSHSBCBCSKJO-SG-BC-AsiaCBKKALGSVEVETCTC-TC-OUTSoniaSKRHTCSKLOLOBCLO-GS-OUTKateFLRANRVEJOJOGSRH-OUTYuenVESKGSRASGSGLOVE-OUTPaulaTCLOVEJOSKSKJOOUTLexiLOSGSGBCRARAOUTChristineNRFLRHLOKKOUT NataliaSGTCLOTCOUT LaurenBCJOBCOUT CarmenRAHSOUT BritneyALOUT
Male models were used for this challenge.
New York City civic workers were used as models for this challenge.
Afa Ah Loo - AL Bishme Cromartie - BC Cavanagh Baker - CB Frankie Lewis - FL Garo Sparo - GS Hester Sunshine - HS Jamall Osterholm - JO Kovid Kapoor - KK Lela Orr - LO Nadine Ralliford - NR Rakan Shams Aldeen - RA Renee Hill - RH Sebastian Gray - SG Sonia Kasparian - SK Tessa Clark - TC Venny Etienne - VE
Episodes Episode 1: First Impressions Original airdate:
Sixteen talented designers from all walks of life arrive in New York City for the ultimate fashion competition. The designers start-off by showcasing their best looks for host Karlie Kloss and judges Nina Garcia, Brandon Maxwell and Elaine Welteroth. Afterwards, the contestants meet their mentor, Christian Siriano. The designers receive their first challenge, to create a look inspired by some of the biggest names in fashion but with an unexpected twist.
Judges: Karlie Kloss, Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell WINNER: Tessa Clark ELIMINATED: Cavanagh Baker
Episode 2: The Future is Here Original airdate:
This week’s challenge tasks the designers to create a mini-collection that shows a sneak peek into the future of fashion. The designers are split into teams, and their models are transformed with special effects body modifications inspired by Simon Huck’s ‘A. Human’ exhibit.
Designers must work in teams for this challenge: TeamsAssigned DesignersTeam Back ScaffoldingBishme, Venny, Lela Team Shoulder HornsHester, Nadine, GaroTeam NecklaceSonia, Rakan, JamallTeam Neck RufflesAfa, Tessa, SebastianTeam Chest FeathersFrankie, Kovid, Renee Final Judging: Judges: Karlie Kloss, Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell WINNER: Sebastian Grey ELIMINATED: Frankie Lewis
Episode 3: All the Rage Original airdate:
The designers are tasked with creating bold head-to-toe looks using a single print. Celebrity stylist Marni Senofonte surprises the designers by lending her expertise in this go-big or go-home challenge.
Judges: Karlie Kloss, Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell Guest Judge: Adam Selman (New York fashion designer) WINNER: Hester Sunshine ELIMINATED: Nadine Ralliford
Episode 4: Survive in Style Original airdate:
The designers are whisked away for a camping trip and challenged to create survival chic looks while embracing the wilderness. Their work room, the accessories wall and the runway itself have all been moved to the woods for this unconventional materials challenge. Celebrity stylist Marni Senofonte returns.
Judges: Karlie Kloss, Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell WINNER: Renee Hill ELIMINATED: Afa Ah Loo
Episode 5: High Fashion to High Street Original airdate:
The designers visit the studio of trailblazer Dapper Dan, who introduced high fashion to the hip-hop world by creating luxury streetwear. The designers are given one day to create their own takes on the future of streetwear.
Judges: Karlie Kloss, Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell Guest Judge: Brandice Daniel (founder and CEO of Harlem’s Fashion Row) WINNER: Bishme Cromartie ELIMINATED: Kovid Kapoor
Episode 6: Power Play Original airdate:
Three women breaking ground in the video game industry visit the runway, helping the designers understand how clothing for powerful women works in video games. The designers are challenged to create their own female video game protagonists with a functional and stylish look.
Judges: Karlie Kloss, Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell Guest Judge: Robin Hunicke (American video game designer) WINNER: Hester Sunshine ELIMINATED: Rakan Shams Aldeen
Episode 7: Elegance is the New Black Original airdate:
The final ten designers are surprised with an invitation to a Brandon Maxwell photo shoot featuring Karlie Kloss. They must impress Maxwell with their takes on elegance, and are faced with a flash sale challenge.
Judges: Karlie Kloss, Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell WINNER: Jamall Osterholm ELIMINATED: Sonia Kasparian
Episode 8: Blame It on Rio Original airdate:
Stylist Marni Senofonte challenges the designers to create a mini-collection for actress Morena Baccarin ("Deadpool") to wear on vacation in Rio de Janeiro. Each collection must include three looks: daywear, evening wear, and beach wear.
Designers must work in teams to create cohesive looks that tell a vacation fashion story:
TeamsAssigned DesignersTeam Disco QueenHester, Bishme, GaroTeam CarnivalJamall, Renee, VennyTeam Rio HolidaySebastian, Tessa, Lela Judges: Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell Guest Judges: Morena Baccarin & Marni Senofonte WINNER: Hester Sunshine ELIMINATED: Renee Hill
Episode 9: The Stitch is Back Original airdate:
The designers are challenged to create over-the-top looks inspired by the movie "Rocketman,", the life story of musician Elton John. Designers receive help from some highly-qualified assistants for this project.
Judges: Karlie Kloss, Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell Guest Judge: Julian Day (costume designer for "Rocketman") WINNER: Garo Sparo ELIMINATED: Lela Orr
Episode 10: What Do You Care About? Original airdate:
The designers dig deep into this challenge to use their skills to bring attention to a social cause they care about. Elaine Welteroth mentors each designer on channeling their creative voice for change. Designers also have to make and model their own printed T-shirts with their social message.
Judges: Karlie Kloss, Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell Guest Judge: Aurora James (founder and creative director of footwear company Brother Vellies) WINNER: Bishme Cromartie ELIMINATED: Venny Etienne
Episode 11: New York City of Dreams Original airdate:
The designers head to Christian Siriano's store and atelier, The Curated NYC, where they meet the women who keep New York City moving: a New York school teacher, and civic workers from the USPS, DSNY, FDNY, NYPD, and NYC Ferry. Each designer is asked to create a custom dream dress for their client.
Judges: Karlie Kloss, Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell Guest Judge: Danielle Brooks (actress and singer) WINNER: Sebastian Grey ELIMINATED: Jamall Osterholm
Episode 12: The Art of Fashion Original airdate:
It's the last challenge to determine which four designers move on to the finale; they must create their biggest and best looks as well as design experimental art installations. Rapper Cardi B attends the art installation event as Christian Siriano's guest and provides feedback to the designers.
After judging, the final four are given five months and $10,000 to create ten looks.
Judges: Karlie Kloss, Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell Guest Judge: Linda Fargo (senior vice president at Bergdorf Goodman) WINNER: Garo Sparo ELIMINATED: Tessa Clark
Episode 13: One Elle of a Day Original airdate:
The four remaining designers arrive at a new work space to unpack their collections and learn their final challenge. Nina Garcia meets them at the Elle Magazine offices and the designers are sent spiraling when tasked with a surprise eleventh look. In the end, only three of them will move on to compete in the finale.
Judges: Karlie Kloss, Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell Guest Judge: Steven Kolb (President & CEO of CFDA) FINAL THREE: Garo Sparo, Hester Sunshine, Sebastian Grey ELIMINATED: Bishme Cromartie
Episode 14: The Final Runway Original airdate:
The final three designers grapple with all aspects of putting together a runway, from model casting to hair and make up to deciding what outfits will give them the best chance for the win. Pressure is at an all-time high when they find out the guest judge is designer Diane von Fürstenberg.
Judges: Karlie Kloss, Nina Garcia, Elaine Welteroth, Brandon Maxwell Guest Judge: Diane von Fürstenberg WINNER: Sebastian Grey ELIMINATED: Hester Sunshine, Garo Sparo
References
External links Project Runway Season 17 Official Website