‘Project Runway’ Season 22 Premiere Live Recap: Who Was Eliminated?

Get the scoop on tonight’s episode as host and judge Heidi Klum welcomes 22 designers to the competition.

Heidi Klum and Christian Siriano | Spencer Pazer/Getty Images

Project Runway is back, and Season 22 is gearing up to be bigger and better than ever before. With 22 contestants (the most ever before competing in a single season) vying for the chance to launch their fashion career, host and judge Heidi Klum has her work cut out for her this time around.

Joining the supermodel this season is Christian Siriano, who fans will recall won Season 4 of the reality show back in 2008. Since then, Siriano has dressed A-listers like Zendaya, Michelle Obama, Ashley Graham, Lady Gaga and countless others—proving just what an incredible launching pad Project Runway can be for one’s career.

This season’s judge panel is also stacked with Elle editor in chief Nina Garcia, celebrity stylist Law Roach and supermodel Tyra Banks. Throughout the season, a number of familiar faces will also appear on the program as guest judges, including The Vampire Diaries actor Nina Dobrev, Grammy Award winning artist Ciara and supermodel Winnie Harlow, among others.

Season 22 of Project Runway premieres with a two episode arc tonight, Thursday, July 9, on Freeform, with episodes available to stream on Hulu the next day. Stay tuned as we break down the action for you live each week throughout the competition, starting with the season premiere, below.

The challenge

While a group of 12 designers gathered at The Oculus in New York City, Klum and Siriano surprised everyone by announcing this season will feautre a total of 22 designers—including Joseph McRae, who returns to the competition following his departure from Season 21.

The designers were given their first challenge: “Your Best Look,” in which each will be judged based on the look they brought from home that best represents them as a designer. Six winners will be crowned and granted immunity in the next round, while six will be immediately cut from the competition and sent home.

As the designers clothed models in their creations, Siriano went around the room to provivde initial feedback. He had some critique for contestants Bi Pham and Bryan Barrientos on their designs, while Plane Jane and Robby Crone reunited following their time together on Season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race and judged some looks themselves. Designer Anna Molinari caught Siriano’s eye with a unique dress decorated with recycled soda tabs, as did Chloe Magleby with her backless red lace number.

On Day 2, the designers got their models ready for the big runway show to showcase their looks in front of the panel of judges: Klum, Roach, Garcia and Banks. While Banks praised Bao Tranchi’s pale pink creation for being something she could see Nicole Kidman or Margot Robbie wearing, the judges immediately recognized the signature flair of McRae’s design, leading fellow contestants to question whether or not the designer would be favored throughout the competition.

Magleby’s ensemble earned high praise from Roach, who deemed the look “beautiful,” and despite Crone changing his design in the eleventh hour following Siriano’s feedback to simplify the garment, the judges seemed confused with the final result. Not all of the judges agreed on every look, either. While Klum and Banks were both impressed with Jeffrey Kelly Abess’s intricate piece, Roach called it “ugly.” They did, however, concur that the tailoring on Jude Mikulencak’s design was impeccable.

Who won the first challenge?

Top six looks: Barrientos, Magleby, Shevelev, Mikulencak, Bobby Diakonenkova and Andriy Volkov earned top honors and received immunity in the next round.

Who was eliminated?

Leaving the competition: Jennifer Daniels, Andrea Moore and LRÉ the Artist.

While Dani Bennett also found herself in the bottom eight of the initial challenge, she made it through to the next phase of the competition.

The episode left on a cliffhanger with the fates of Jeffrey Kelly Abess, Plane Jane, Robby Crone and R’Bonney Nola hanging in the balance. While one of the designers will be safe, three will be going home.

When is the next episode of Project Runway?

The next episode of Project Runway airs on Freeform on Thursday, July 16 at 10 p.m. ET. Episodes are available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ the following day. Stay tuned for more!

What does the Project Runway winner get?

The winner of Season 22 will get a $200,000 cash prize, a spread in Elle magazine, mentorship with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and professional representation to launch their brand.

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