‘Project Runway’ Season 22 premiered July 10, 2026. The cast is the largest in the show’s history: 22 designers.
The workroom is tense. Unfinished hems are not tolerated. New episodes drop every Friday on Freeform. They stream the next day on Hulu and Disney+.
Two designers are redefining American fashion. Octavius Terry, 23, is the “Grady baby” from Atlanta. Jude Mikulencak, also 23, is a New Orleans native.
Terry draws from Atlanta’s hip-hop culture. His designs blend street wear with high-fashion tailoring. He was born at Grady Memorial Hospital. The AJC reports he is a strong contender after early elimination of fellow Atlanta contestant Jennifer Daniel, a former model.
Mikulencak brings the Bayou to the runway. His work features deconstructed evening wear and upcycled fabrics. He used discarded carnival beads in a street market challenge. NOLA.com reports his design ethos is shaped by Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans’ resilience.
Tensions are high. With 22 designers competing for shared materials, conflicts have escalated. The judges have sent home three contestants in the first two weeks for rushed final looks. A fan favorite was eliminated. Producers introduced a double elimination twist for the first time this season.
Season 22 signals a shift from New York dominance. Atlanta and New Orleans are producing globally relevant talent. Personal history, like Terry’s “Grady baby” narrative and Mikulencak’s cultural pride, is a key differentiator. Both designers emphasize upcycling and local sourcing, aligning with broader sustainability trends.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Premiere Date | July 10, 2026 |
| Cast Size | 22 contestants (largest ever) |
| Streaming Platform | Freeform (Fridays), Hulu/Disney+ (next day) |
| Judging Panel | Christian Siriano (mentor), rotating guest judges |
| Key Twist | First-ever double elimination |
| Top Contenders | Octavius Terry (Atlanta), Jude Mikulencak (New Orleans) |
The competition is now a cultural showcase. These designers are unapologetically regional and personal. They are boundary-breaking.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: When did ‘Project Runway’ Season 22 premiere?
- A: It premiered on July 10, 2026.
- Q: Who are the standout designers this season?
- A: Octavius Terry, 23, from Atlanta, known as the ‘Grady baby,’ and Jude Mikulencak, 23, from New Orleans.
- Q: What makes Octavius Terry unique?
- A: He blends Atlanta’s hip-hop culture with high-fashion tailoring and was born at Grady Memorial Hospital.
- Q: How does Jude Mikulencak’s background influence his designs?
- A: His work features deconstructed evening wear and upcycled fabrics, shaped by Hurricane Katrina and New Orleans’ resilience.
- Q: What drama is unfolding this season?
- A: With 22 designers competing for shared materials, conflicts have escalated, leading to early eliminations and a first-time double elimination twist.
Extended Reading
The full season is streaming on Hulu/Disney+. Catch up on Season 21 to understand the evolving format. The AJC and NOLA.com provide ongoing coverage of the local designers.