Project Runway will be returning in January but missing one of its major stars and fashion icons.
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Lifetime has announced Project Runway's eleventh season will premiere Thursday, January 24 at 9PM ET/PT and Michael Kors will not be reprising his role as a judge.
In addition, the network has revealed the upcoming new season will be the franchise's first-ever teams edition in which 16 designers must work together in team challenges to create and execute ensembles fit for the fashion runway.
Although Kors will not be serving as a regular judge, he will appear as a guest judge for the eleventh-season finale to be typically held at Lincoln Center during New York Fashion Week. Replacing Kors on the judging panel will be fashion designer Zac Posen, who will join veteran judges Heidi Klum -- who is also Project Runway's host -- and Marie Claire's fashion director Nina Garcia.
The guest judges who will be featured throughout the season are actress Bette Midler, actress Susan Sarandon, country music star Miranda Lambert, singer and songwriter John Legend, fashion experts Joan Rivers, Melissa Rivers, Emmy Rossum, Kristin Davis, Jordana Brewster, and designers Rachel Roy, Tracy Reese, Chris Benz, and former Project Runway winner Christian Siriano.
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Prior to Project Runway's eleventh-season debut, Lifetime will also air the special Road to the Runway at 8pm ET/PT. Hosted by Marie Claire's Zanna Roberts Rassi, the special will introduce the edition's 16 contestants to viewers and provide commentary from Project Runway All Stars winner Mondo Guerra in addition to designer alum Laura Kathleen.
The winning eleventh-season designer will receive the same prize package offered in Season 10 -- $100,000 from L'Oreal Paris to start his or her own line, a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine, a brand new Lexus vehicle, a $50,000 technology suite from HP and Intel to create his or her own vision and run a business, and the opportunity to design and sell an exclusive collection at Lord & Taylor.
The model paired with the winner of Project Runway will also appear in the designer's Marie Claire editorial feature and receive $25,000 from L'Oreal Paris EverStyle.
Project Runway is produced by The Weinstein Company, Miramax Films, Bunim-Murray Productions, and Full Picture Entertainment. Klum, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, Barbara Schneeweiss, Meryl Poster, Jonathan Murray, Sara Rea, Colleen Sands, Jane Cha Cutler, Rob Sharenow, Gena McCarthy, David Hillman, and Desiree Gruber serve as executive producers.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski