If you’ve been waiting with bated breath for the next chapter of fashion television, your patience is about to pay off. Project Runway Season 22 is officially on the horizon, and based on the newly released trailer, it’s shaping up to be the most ambitious installment in the show’s storied history. With a record-breaking cast of 22 designers, the return of supermodel Tyra Banks to the judges’ panel, and an unprecedented lineup of celebrity guest judges, this season promises to deliver everything fans love and then some.
Heidi Klum herself has teased that Project Runway Season 22 will be “bigger, bolder, and more beautiful” , and after digging into all the details, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
The Biggest Cast in Project Runway History
Twenty-two designers will step into the workroom this season, making it the largest group of competitors the show has ever assembled. This bold expansion signals a clear message from the producers: Project Runway Season 22 is pulling out all the stops. These designers come from a wide variety of backgrounds, bringing unique perspectives, cultural influences, and design philosophies to the runway.
A larger cast means more diversity of thought, more competitive energy, and ultimately, more stunning creations. For fans of fashion competition reality TV, this is a dream come true.
Tyra Banks Is Back on the Judges’ Panel
One of the most exciting announcements surrounding Project Runway Season 22 is the return of Tyra Banks. After making a memorable appearance as a guest judge in Season 21, the iconic supermodel and television personality is stepping into a recurring role this time around. Her sharp eye for fashion, commanding presence, and ability to spot true talent make her an invaluable addition to the judges’ table.
Banks joins the returning core panel of Heidi Klum, Law Roach, and Nina Garcia, with Christian Siriano reprising his role as mentor to the designers. This dream team of fashion insiders will guide, challenge, and critique the contestants as they fight for the chance to take their careers to the next level.
What Tyra Banks Brings to the Table
Banks is no stranger to high-stakes competition shows, having hosted and created “America’s Next Top Model” for many years. Her experience in identifying breakout talent and her genuine passion for fashion give her a unique perspective that complements the existing panel beautifully. For viewers, her commentary is sure to add fresh energy and insider knowledge to every critique.
A Star-Studded Guest Judge Lineup
If the regular judges weren’t enough to get excited about, Project Runway Season 22 is also bringing in an absolutely stacked roster of celebrity guest judges throughout the season. The lineup reads like a who’s who of entertainment and fashion:
- Ciara – The Grammy-winning artist brings her signature style and stage presence
- Fausto Puglisi – The Italian designer known for his bold, glamorous aesthetic
- Ice Spice – The breakout rap sensation with an unmistakable fashion sense
- Iman – The legendary supermodel and entrepreneur
- Kiernan Shipka – The acclaimed actress with a keen eye for vintage-inspired fashion
- Niecy Nash – The Emmy-winning actress known for her bold and joyful personal style
- Nina Dobrev – The actress and fashion enthusiast
- Sergio Hudson – The celebrated designer who has dressed some of the biggest names in entertainment
- Willy Chavarria – The boundary-pushing designer known for his cultural commentary through clothing
- Winnie Harlow – The supermodel and activist
Each of these guest judges brings something unique to the workroom, and their diverse backgrounds , spanning music, acting, modeling, and design , will challenge contestants to think beyond traditional fashion boundaries.
Surprise Cameos and Crossover Episodes
In addition to the official guest judges, Project Runway Season 22 will feature a series of memorable cameos that add extra flavor to the season. Entrepreneur Becca Bloom, comedian Hannah Berner, and costume designer Molly Rogers are all set to make appearances, bringing their own distinct energies to the show.
Perhaps the most buzzworthy crossover involves stars from Hulu’s “Get Real” universe. In one episode, reality television personalities will trade their usual environments for the runway, serving as models for the designers’ creations. Heidi Klum, speaking at Hulu’s Get Real event, couldn’t contain her enthusiasm about the crossover.
Reality TV Stars Take the Runway
Charity Lawson from “The Bachelorette” and Sarah Jane Nader from “Love Thy Nader” were among the reality stars who walked as models for one episode. Klum was particularly impressed, remarking that “some of them did a better job than our real models.” This kind of playful crossover is exactly the kind of inventive programming that keeps long-running shows feeling fresh and relevant.
What Makes This Season Different
While Project Runway Season 22 maintains the core structure that fans know and love , high-stakes design challenges, dramatic eliminations, and runway reveals , the expanded cast and elevated guest list set it apart from previous seasons. The show has always been a launchpad for emerging designers, and with more competitors than ever, the talent pool is deeper and more diverse.
The Mentor Dynamic
Christian Siriano’s return as mentor is another reason to be excited. Since winning Season 4 of the show, Siriano has become one of the most successful designers to emerge from the franchise, dressing everyone from politicians to pop stars. His mentorship provides contestants with real-world insight that goes far beyond the workroom, offering a glimpse into what it truly takes to build a sustainable fashion career.
The Judges’ Chemistry
The chemistry between Heidi Klum, Law Roach, Nina Garcia, and now Tyra Banks is another major draw. Each judge brings a different lens to the table , Klum with her supermodel background and keen business sense, Roach as a celebrity stylist who understands the power of image, Garcia as the editor-in-chief of Elle magazine with her finger on the pulse of fashion journalism, and Banks as both a model and a media mogul. Together, they create a panel that is both entertaining and genuinely insightful.
Where and When to Watch
Project Runway Season 22 premieres on July 9 and will be available on Freeform, Hulu, and Disney+. This multi-platform availability means viewers can catch new episodes live or stream them at their convenience , a significant upgrade from the show’s earlier broadcast-only days.
The decision to air across three Disney-owned platforms reflects the growing importance of streaming in how audiences consume content. Whether you prefer the traditional cable experience or the flexibility of on-demand streaming, there’s a way to tune in.
Why Project Runway Still Matters
More than two decades after its premiere, Project Runway remains culturally relevant because it taps into something universal , the transformative power of creativity. The show has launched the careers of designers who now dress some of the most famous people in the world, and it continues to provide a platform for voices that might otherwise go unheard in the fashion industry.
Project Runway Season 22 carries this legacy forward while pushing boundaries in exciting new ways. The expanded cast, Tyra Banks’ return, the star-studded guest judge lineup, and the playful crossover episodes all point to a season that honors the show’s roots while embracing its future.
Final Thoughts
If the trailer is any indication, Project Runway Season 22 is poised to be one of the most memorable seasons in the show’s history. With 22 talented designers competing for their big break, an all-star panel of judges including the returning Tyra Banks, and guest appearances from some of the biggest names in entertainment and fashion, there’s truly something for everyone.
Mark your calendars for July 9, set your streaming preferences, and prepare for a season that promises to be , in Heidi Klum’s own words , bigger, bolder, and more beautiful than ever before. The runway awaits.