New Season of PROJECT RUNWAY to Celebrate Body Diversity & Feature Size-Inclusive Models

For the first time in PROJECT RUNWAY history, season 16 breaks out of the conventional modeling mold and celebrates body diversity by incorporating size inclusive models on the catwalk. As a true reflection of all women across the country, models range from 0 to 22, and this season's designers must show off their skills and ability to make stunning creations, for any size. Emmy(R) Award winning hosts and dynamic duo Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn return to the runway alongside fashion authorities, Nina Garcia, Marie Claire's Creative Director and Zac Posen, designer and creative director for Brooks Brother Women for a super, sweet 16 season of #ProjectRunway, debuting Thursday, August 17 at 8pm ET/PT.

Guest judges making their way to the runway this season include Demi Lovato, Katie Holmes, Olivia Munn, Yolanda Hadid, Kate Upton, Maggie Q, Kelsea Ballerini, Dove Cameron, China Anne McClain, Asia Kate Dillon, Carly Chaikin, Maddie Ziegler, Sophia Stallone, Georgina Chapman, Rachel Brosnahan and Anne Fulenwider.

The PROJECT RUNWAY Season 16 designers are:
Aaron Myers (23) Brooklyn, NY
Amy Bond (46) Los Angeles, CA
Ayana Ife (27) Salt Lake City, UT
Batani-Khalfani (32) Inglewood, CA
Brandon Kee (24) San Francisco, CA
Claire Buitendorp (27) Grand Ledge, MI
Deyonté Weather (36) Lynwood, WA
Kentaro Kameyama (38) Los Angeles, CA
Kenya Freeman (37) Atlanta, GA
Kudzanai Karidza (32) Atlanta, GA
Margarita Alvarez (30) San Juan, PR
Michael Brambila (25) Oakland, CA
Samantha Rei (36) Minneapolis, MA
Sentell McDonald (33) New York, NY
Shawn Buitendorp (27) Grand Ledge, MI
ChaCha (24) Taipei, Taiwan

The winner of PROJECT RUNWAY will receive $100,000 to launch their line, and the opportunity to collaborate with JCPenney on a limited edition capsule collection as part of the PROJECT RUNWAY line sold at select JCPenney stores and online at http://www.jcp.com. In addition, the winner will receive a selection of Brother sewing and embroidery machines, with a retail value of $40,000; a lifetime supply of pens from the Pilot FriXion Erasable Pen, the official pen of PROJECT RUNWAY and an all-expense paid luxury trip to Japan, including a 5-star stay near Japan's fashion center. The prize package also includes the new 2018 Lexus NX, coming this fall, with advance innovation and safety systems standard. Additionally, the winning designer and model will receive a fashion spread in Marie Claire magazine.

Social Media Info: @heidiklum @timgunn @ninagarcia @zac_posen @projectrunway @lifetimetv #ProjectRunway

ABOUT PROJECT RUNWAY Hosted by Emmy(R) Award winner, supermodel and fashion connoisseur Heidi Klum, the hit Emmy(R)-nominated series PROJECT RUNWAY provides budding designers with an opportunity to launch their careers in fashion, under the watchful eyes of mentor and co-host Emmy(R) Award winner Tim Gunn and judges Nina Garcia and Zac Posen.

Project Runway is produced by The Weinstein Company, Bunim/Murray Productions, Full Picture Entertainment, and Heidi Klum Company. Executive producers include Bob and Harvey Weinstein (Co-Chairmen of The Weinstein Company) and Patrick Reardon and Barbara Schneeweiss of The Weinstein Company, Jonathan Murray and Sara Rea of Bunim/Murray Productions, Heidi Klum, Jane Cha and Desiree Gruber of Full Picture Entertainment. Mary Donahue and David Hillman of Lifetime also executive produce, and Gil Goldschein and Teri Weideman of Bunim/Murray Productions serve as Co-Executive Producers. Tim Gunn serves as a producer.

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