A $200,000 cash prize, six months of representation by Agentry PR, a feature in Elle magazine, and a mentorship with the CFDA (The Council of Fashion Designers of America). That is what the winner of Project Runway Season 21 will receive, in addition to bragging rights. The stakes are high, and with Heidi Klum’s long-awaited return as host, this season is getting a lot of attention. Will it be worth the hype, or a complete disappointment? Here’s a rundown of the premiere episode, so you can determine this for yourself, and everything that went down during Project Runway Season 21 Episode 1.
A bold mix of returning contestants and larger than life contestants
The first designer we meet is JosephMcRae, who is not afraid to let his ego take the lead. Referring to the series as ”the Joseph McCray Show”, he insists that his first and last name must be combined as one word. In fact, his first impression with everyone he meets is to force them to refer to him as such … at all times. Yep, this won’t get old at all.
Next up is Ethan Mundt, who RuPaul’s Drag Race fans will definitely recognize. Known more so for his drag persona Utica Queen, he’s ready to make a name for himself as a designer outside of the drag world.
Speaking of familiar faces, there are quite a few alums from the Project Runway franchise ready for redemption. Caycee Black is returning from her short run in Season 19 when was eliminated in the season’s very first challenge.
Another star making a comeback is Veejay Floresca. She was the second runner-up in the premiere season of Project Runway Philippines.
Last of the returning crew is Jesus Estrada. Fans may recognize him from Season 7 of the series. After 15 years of focusing on evolving his craft, he’s back to take home the win. There is quite the competition against him this time around, though. For starters, he’s now competing against his own brother. His twin Antonio Estrada may not have the Project Runway background as his sibling, but he’s just as dedicated to fashion and wining.
The rest of the designers are introduced, including avant garde designer Yuchen Han and seasoned bridal shop owner Joan Madison.
This Disney-inspired runway challenge is stressing some designers out
Host Heidi and mentor Christiano Siriano come to the design room and right away, the first challenge is here. The theme is based on Disney icons, specifically Disney Princesses and Disney Villains. The designers will be split into two (unlike JosephMcRae), with groups of six. Each team will design a Disney-themed fashion house, one called the House of Princesses and the other the House of Villains. They only have one day to curate a collection of looks that are cohesive and correct match their themes.
The teams are feeling the panic during the brainstorming sessions. For Caycee, it feels too much like history is repeating itself. After all, the challenge she was sent home for in Season 19 was a group challenge. “I’m getting hives, I’m sweating. I’m like having panic attacks,” she vented.
Utiah is also feeling the panic, worried that his background in drag may not translate as well as he imagined. He admitted that, “it could get too costumey if I don’t do it right.”
Antonio instantly begins to take control of the House of Princesses, convincing the team that they need to work with a theme of butterflies. Is this because of a butterfly-themed princess? Nope. It’s because he brought a butterfly fabric from home and really wants to use it. Yep.
Anyways, everyone agrees to use it but the hesitant looks on their faces say it all. Ultimately the group decides to go a different approach, but Antonio calls them “crazy” for not sticking with his butterfly deal.
Day 2 is here and it doesn’t start off any easier. Veejay is on an island on her own, which her team is not enjoying. Jesus recalls her energy as “standoffish” and “bitchy” for not wanting to work with the group.
Jesus also has a growing issue with one of his other teammates, Yuchen. There’s lace on the bottom of Yuchen’s dress, and there wasn’t any on anyone else’s. Despite everyone‘s designs having their own unique details, Jesus insisted that the group needed to incorporate Yuchen’s lace for their looks to become cohesive, which Yuchen wasn’t going for. Ultimately, he stayed firm and kept his lace for himself, much to Jesus’ annoyance.
Season 21’s first runway challenge winner is a clear frontrunner
Now it is time for the best part of any episode: the runway! Heidi walks out and introduces the judges panel. Returning is Christian, along with Elle’s Editor in Chief Nina Garcia. New to the squad is none other than stylist to the stars Law Roach.
The show begins with the House of Villains and it’s a masterclass. Aside from Jesus’ design showcasing a red jacket, all of the designers successfully nailed the aim to be cohesive and all-black.
The House of Princesses on the other hand was a hot mess. With pink dresses, blue outfits, and that good ole butterfly print (from guess who), it was all over the place. While none of the outfits were horrible, each look could’ve belonged to a different collection.
Unsurprisingly to everyone but the opposing house, the House of Villains win the first challenge.
The Top 3 are Yuchen, Ethan, and Jesus. Yuchen was complimented for his commercial-ready look and Ethan was applauded for his innovative outfit that wasn’t overly costumey. His haunting dress had a cape starting at the top of the model’s head with daring fingernails attached. If that doesn’t scream fashion, then what does?
Law Roach gets into it with two fashion designers
Once they get to Jesus, though, the drama ensues. The judges admit that there was a debate on if his design deserved to be in the top 3, and clearly the objection came from Law Roach. He quickly told Jesus “I hated it,” seemingly referring to the outfit’s cohesive-breaking red jacket.
Jesus said he was sorry the celebrity stylist didn’t enjoy the coat, to which he responded, “Oh I hate the whole look.” Yikes. This dagger of a remark caused the alumni to get emotional, but Nina and Heidi came to his rescue with reassuring comments. Ethan gets the first win of the season, and the group disperses.
Meanwhile, Caycee, JosephMcRae, and Antonio were in the bottom from House of Princess. Antonio addresses his ranking by bluntly asking “Am I being punked?” to which Heidi assures him he isn’t. Law Roach then unleashes shade for the second time this ep, and it is brutal.
He compares JosephMcRae’s look to “a couch cushion” and says that Antonio got helped by ChatGPT. Refusing to take responsibility, Antonio blames Christian for the finished product, claiming that the mentor pushed him to change his original vision. Nina calls him “defensive,” and Law agrees, adding that he’s displaying “rude” and “nasty” behavior.
Caycee is also on the chopping block, as her tulle pink dress is not up to par, according to the panel.
While the judges are contemplating sending home Caycee or Antonio, both designers are crying backstage. Right before the episode finishes, Antonio confesses that he wants to go home.
This is quite the cliffhanger, but thankfully this was a two-episode premiere. Onto the next!
Project Runway airs every Thursday on Freeform, and is available to stream the next day on Hulu.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK CAYCEE OR ANTONIO IS GOING TO GO HOME FIRST?
