As "Project Runway" returns for the fifth season on Bravo, the network released a statement with the names of all 16 designer/contestants, as well as the celebrity judges for the new season, premiering Wednesday, July 16 at 9PM.
"I feel as though we set the bar higher every season," the show's host, supermodel Heidi Klum said. "We've got some truly talented, innovative and deeply creative designers this year, and I think it's fair to say, the most diverse—everyone from a rocker chick who mostly works with leather to a more bohemian surfer boy, and everything in between."
The list of candidates covers areas from all over, Arkansas, Florida, Montana, Utah, even Italy, and includes surfers, stylists and even a former punk rock makeup artist who now produces one-of-a-kind leather and denim designs, Stella Zotis, 42.
In addition to the show's contestants and permanent judges Michael Kors and Elle Magazine fashion director Nina Garcia, the crowd of guest judges has also been presented to the public, and it includes celebrities such as Natalie Portman, Olympic and "Dancing With the Stars" champ Apolo Ohno, former contestant Austin Scarlett, rapper LL Cool J, iconic dress designer Diane Von Furstenberg, drag queen RuPaul, Brooke Shields, Sandra Bernhard, designer Cynthia Rowley and Calvin Klein creative director Francisco Costa.
Fashion guru Tim Gunn will also return to help mentor and guide the contestants throughout the competition.
"Season after season the designers have amazed us," said Tim Gunn. "They have different DNA, different chemistry within each other and different views -- their creative aptitude is right on par -- but how to characterize them? That's up to the audience!"
This cycle marks Bravo's last strut down the New York Runway before the show moves to Lifetime and Los Angeles. The show's producers at The Weinstein Company decided in April to move the show to Lifetime starting with the sixth season, prompting a breach-of-contract lawsuit from NBC Universal; the case is pending in court.
Finalists will get the chance to display their creations in front of the fashion industry elite during the New York Fashion Week. The big winner will receive a $100,000 cash prize from TRESemmé professional hair care to start their own line, a feature in Elle Magazine, an opportunity to sell a fashion line on Bluefly.com, and a brand new 2009 Saturn VUE Hybrid.
Listed bellow are the season 5 contestants:
Blayne, 23; Seattle
Daniel, 25; Brooklyn
Emily, 27; Los Angeles
Jennifer, 27; Pistoia, Italy
Jerell, 28; Los Angeles
Jerry, 32; New York City
Joe, 41; Troy, Mich.
Keith, 26; Salt Lake City
Kelli, 27, Columbus, Ohio
Kenley, 25; Brooklyn
Korto, 33; Mabelvale, Ark.
Leanne, 27; Portland, Ore.
Stella, 42; New York City
Suede, 37; Barryville, N.Y.
Terri, 39; Columbus, Ohio
Wesley, 23; New York City
