No. of episodes 11 No. of contestants 12 Number of episodes 11 | Original network Bravo No. of tasks 10 Air date December 1, 2004 Country of origin United States of America | |
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Original release December 1, 2004 – February 23, 2005 Winner | ||
Project Runway Season 1 was the first season of Project Runway, Bravo's reality competition show for fashion designers. The season received critical acclaim including an Emmy nomination for outstanding competitive reality series. Growth in audience popularity was also dramatic from its debut to the season finale, making it a sleeper hit. Project Runway gave Bravo one of its most successful series since Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.
Contents
- Contestants
- Challenges
- Models
- Episode 1 Innovation
- Episode 2 Vision
- Episode 3 Commercial Appeal
- Episode 4 Collaboration
- Episode 5 Model Clients
- Episode 6 Making A Splash
- Episode 7 Design A Collection
- Episode 8 Postal Uniform Challenge
- Episode 9 Design For The Red Carpet
- Episode 10 Reunion
- Episode 11 Finale
- References
The winning designer of the first season was Pennsylvania-based designer Jay McCarroll. As his prize for winning the competition among 12 designers, McCarroll won $100,000, a mentorship with Banana Republic to aid in developing his own fashion label, and a feature of his work in the American edition of ELLE magazine. The winning model of the first season, selected by McCarroll, was Julia Beynon. McCaroll later turned down both the $100,000 and the mentorship with Banana Republic, stating that the prizes came with too much contractual baggage.
Austin Scarlett later appeared in Project Runway: All Stars in 2012, where he finished runner-up. Wendy Pepper, in the same year, competed in the second season of the All Stars edition placing 12th out of 13. In 2016, Daniel Franco competed in the fifth season of the All Stars edition, placing 12th out of 13.
Contestants
The 12 fashion designers competing in the first season were:
(ages listed are the designers' ages at the time the show was taped in the summer of 2004.)
The 12 models competing for an ELLE spread in the first season were:
Challenges
^Note 1 : Although Nora's team was voted the best, the judges thought that Nora's teamwork was very poor, therefore she was placed in the bottom two.
Models
The model was the winner of Project Runway Season 1 The model wore the winning designer's outfit The model wore the losing designer's outfit The model was eliminatedNotes:Designer legend
Episode 1: Innovation
Original airdate: December 1, 2004
Designers created a sexy, glamorous outfit for a night on the town made only from materials bought at a Manhattan supermarket. The designers had a budget of $50 USD and one hour to make their purchases. They had one day to complete the design and the winner had immunity for the next challenge and could not be eliminated.
Episode 2: Vision
Original airdate: December 8, 2004
Designers used plain white cotton jersey to build a garment that conveys "envy." They had a budget of $50 USD and one day to complete the design.
Episode 3: Commercial Appeal
Original airdate: December 15, 2004
Designers created a holiday dress to fit with Banana Republic's current line. They had to pick their fabrics at the studios and had two days to complete their designs.
Episode 4: Collaboration
Original airdate: January 5, 2005
The designers created a new look for rising rock star Sarah Hudson. A team event with three teams, each with a lead designer and two assistants. Each team had $150 USD and one day to complete the design.
Episode 5: "Model" Clients
Original airdate: January 12, 2005
Working with their chosen models, the designers created a wedding dress for that model. The designers had a budget of $300 USD and two days to complete the design.
Episode 6: Making A Splash
Original airdate: January 19, 2005
Designers made swimsuits, then attended an evening party with their swimsuit-clad models. The designers had a budget of $75 USD and five hours to complete their garments. The winner was the designer who received a mention from New York Post reporter Richard Johnson on "Page Six," the newspaper's gossip column.
Episode 7: Design A Collection
Original airdate: January 26, 2005
Designers created a collection for the year 2055 as one team. Kevin was the team leader for this challenge. Each designer had a budget of $50 USD and one day to complete the collection.
Episode 8: Postal Uniform Challenge
Original airdate: February 2, 2005
Designers redesigned the uniform worn by United States Postal Service workers. The designers had a budget of $100 USD and one day to complete the design. This episode is particularly notable for the fact that Jay's model was unable to attend the runway showing in time. As a result, Austin walked in her place and received positive feedback for doing so by the judges.
Episode 9: Design For The Red Carpet
Original airdate: February 9, 2005
Designers created a dress for Access Hollywood reporter Nancy O'Dell to wear to the Grammys. The designers had $300 USD and two days to complete the design.
Episode 10: Reunion
Original airdate: February 16, 2005
All of the participating designers gathered for a reunion hosted by Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn on the eve of New York Olympus Fashion Week at which the final three designers displayed their collections.
Episode 11: Finale
Original airdate: February 23, 2005
The final three designers—Jay, Kara Saun—and Wendy, were visited by Tim Gunn at their homes to show the progress of their collections. Each designer created a twelve piece collection for a showing at New York Olympus Fashion Week.