The 18th season of Project Runway began Thursday, December 5, 2019. Sixteen designers compete to become "the next great American designer." Returning as judges are supermodel Karlie Kloss, editor-in-chief of Elle, Nina Garcia, fashion designer Brandon Maxwell, and former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue Elaine Welteroth. Season 4 winner Christian Siriano returns to mentor the designers and use the "Siriano save" for the first time to bring an eliminated designer back into the competition if he disagrees with the judge’s verdict. A "save" was also used by Tim Gunn beginning in Season 12 and continuing for the remainder of his time with the show.