The workroom is officially getting crowded. For its record-breaking twenty-second outing, the Project Runway Season 22 cast is expanding to 22 designers—the largest roster in the show’s history. Premiering July 9, 2026, the series is moving to a new home on Freeform while maintaining its heavy-hitter lineup of judges and mentors. From Miss Universe 2022 winners to RuPaul’s Drag Race fan favorites, the talent pool this year suggests the competition will be less about "making it work" and more about surviving a high-stakes fashion bloodbath.
Who is in the Project Runway Season 22 cast?
The Project Runway Season 22 cast features 22 designers, including high-profile names like Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Nola Gabriel and Drag Race stars Plane Jane and Robert Crone (Q). The full roster includes:
- R’Bonney Nola Gabriel
- Plane Jane
- Robert Crone (Q)
- Joseph McRae (Returning from Season 21)
- Aaron Potts
- Andrea Moore
- Andriy Volkov
- Anna Molinari
- Bao Tranchi
- Bi Pham
- Bryan Barrientos
- Chloe Magleby
- Dani Bennett
- Elizabeth Shevelev
- Jeffrey Kelly Abess
- Jennifer Daniels
- Jude Mikulencak
- Naheim Muhammad
- Octavius Terry
- Omolara “LRÉ the Artist” Odupita
- Varvara “Bobby” Diakonenkova
- Yang Yang Xu
Project Runway Season 22 Premiere Date and How to Watch
Mark your calendars for the Project Runway Season 22 premiere date on July 9, 2026. In a strategic shift for The Walt Disney Company, the fashion competition series is moving its linear broadcast to Freeform. If you’ve cut the cord, don't panic—episodes will be available for Hulu streaming fashion fans and Disney+ subscribers the following day.
The move to Freeform signals a desire to capture a younger, more digitally native audience that grew up on Next in Fashion or TikTok "get ready with me" videos. While the platform has changed, the production remains in the hands of Spyglass Media Group and Alfred Street Industries, ensuring the high-gloss aesthetic we expect from the franchise stays intact. Expect a two-episode premiere to kick off the summer season.
The Icons: From Miss Universe to Drag Race Villains
The real talk? This cast is stacked with established brands and massive social media footprints. Leading the pack is R’Bonney Nola Gabriel, who isn't just a former Miss USA and Miss Universe 2022; she’s a trained sustainable fashion designer with her own label, R’Bonney Nola. Her presence brings a level of global prestige rarely seen in the early weeks of the competition.
Then there’s the RuPaul’s Drag Race crossover. Following in the footsteps of Utica Queen, Season 16’s "villain" Plane Jane and the technical powerhouse Robert Crone (better known as Q) are joining the Project Runway Season 22 designers. Plane Jane’s reputation for sharp-tongued critiques and Q’s background in high-concept construction will likely disrupt the usual workroom dynamics. Plane Jane already boasts a massive following on Instagram, and her transition from the main stage to the sewing machine is one of the most anticipated arcs of the season.
We also see the return of Joseph McRae, the Season 21 alum whose "JOSEPHMcRAE" label explores the fluidity of masculinity and femininity. McRae’s return offers a "redemption" narrative that fans of the show typically eat up. Another standout is Jennifer Daniels, who spent four seasons as a Project Runway model before deciding to put her own fashion degree to the test on the other side of the sketches.
Christian Siriano Mentor Season 22 and the Judging Panel
The "Big Three" are back. Heidi Klum returns as the host with her signature "one day you're in, the next day you're out" energy. Joining her are Nina Garcia, the formidable Editor-in-Chief of Elle, and Law Roach, the self-proclaimed "image architect" and stylist who has redefined red-carpet fashion for stars like Zendaya.
Perhaps most importantly, Christian Siriano is back as the mentor. Since winning Season 4, Siriano has become the show’s greatest success story and a vital bridge between the contestants and the reality of the industry. His role as Christian Siriano mentor Season 22 will be more demanding than ever with 22 personalities to manage. The wild part? With this many designers, we are almost certainly looking at a season filled with double eliminations to trim the herd before the finale at New York Fashion Week.
What’s at Stake? The Prize Package and Format Secrets
While the exact Project Runway Season 22 prize package details are often kept under wraps until the premiere, the stakes usually involve a $250,000 grand prize, a mentorship with the CFDA, and a high-profile spread in Elle magazine. For these 22 designers, the exposure on Hulu and Disney+ is arguably worth more than the cash, providing a direct pipeline to a global customer base.
The Project Runway Season 22 episode guide is expected to lean heavily into sustainable fashion. Designers like Andriy Volkov and Anna Molinari have already made names for themselves with eco-conscious labels like moonhAg and Public Parts. Industry experts suggest that the large cast size is a direct response to the "fast fashion" vs. "slow fashion" debate, giving the show enough room to showcase diverse ethical perspectives without losing the drama of design challenges.
Key Takeaways for Season 22
- Record-Breaking Cast: 22 designers will compete, the most in the show's history.
- Crossover Stars: Features Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel and Drag Race icons Plane Jane and Q.
- New Home: The show moves to Freeform for linear airing, with next-day streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
- Expert Panel: Heidi Klum, Nina Garcia, and Law Roach return to judge, with Christian Siriano mentoring.
- Sustainability Focus: A significant portion of the cast specializes in eco-friendly and unisex design.
The Verdict: Is More Actually Better?
The decision to cast 22 designers is a bold move that could either lead to the most creative season yet or a chaotic mess where talent gets lost in the noise. By pulling from the worlds of pageantry, drag, and established sustainable labels, Project Runway is clearly trying to remain the gold standard of fashion competition series in an increasingly crowded streaming landscape. Whether Plane Jane brings the drama or R'Bonney Gabriel brings the crown, one thing is certain: the Project Runway Season 22 cast is here to prove that the runway is still the ultimate proving ground for the next generation of American fashion. See you in the workroom on July 9.
