Project Runway

Project Runway is a reality competition television show featuring fashion designers attempting to out-sew and out-design each other. Winning the competition earns the designer a generous package with seed money to start a fashion line. Heidi Klum, a former supermodel, hosts the show and leads the contestants through each week's episode. The results of each show depend solely on the decisions made by the judges of that week's episode.

Each episode begins with a creative and difficult challenge that each designer must complete. Previous challenges have tasked designers to create dresses out of party supplies, food and recycled paper. Other challenges required the designers to make new looks out of old wedding dresses or to create an outfit for a doll. Many episodes feature a mid-episode twist, forcing the contestants to create an additional look or deal with some unexpected obstacle. These challenges must usually be finished within a short time frame. Through it all, the warm and friendly Tim Gunn guides each contestant through the pitfalls of high-paced fashion design.

After the looks are finished, the contestants must present their designs to a panel of judges. Model after model struts up and down the catwalk to show off each designer's look. The designers must then face the tough panel of judges. This is when the real drama starts and the tears begin to flow. The competitors must listen as their work is scrutinized, criticized and sometimes praised by industry experts. Finally, the judges will speak amongst themselves and pick a winner and a loser for that episode. The winner often receives immunity for the next challenge and the loser is sent home.

After the field of contestants dwindles, one last challenge selects three or four designers. These designers will be given a chance to show a complete collection at a major fashion show. The selected contestants go home for several weeks to create a dozen or so different fashions. After Tim Gunn checks in with each contestant, the competitors travel to the runway show to present their final collection. Many of these contestants have never had the opportunity to display their designs in a professional runway show. This is a special moment that some may never experience again.

After the final fashion show, the designers must face the judging panel once more. Once each collection has been scrutinized, the judges crown the season's winner. The winner takes the prize and attempts to make a name in the fashion world.