Parents' Guide to

Project Runway

By Pam Gelman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Check this one out before sharing with fashion-crazed teens.

TV Bravo Reality TV 2004
Project Runway Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 7 parent reviews

Joan M.
Joan M. Parent of 11-year-old
June 12, 2023
age 8+

Has become a , "Designers assassin's fest.".

Designers aren't as skillful as in much younger episodes, the judges will never give approval on finals, simply isn't any to give. Judges are inconsiderate in misleading runner up, only to finish up with. "Your out".
Kcamshaw
Kcamshaw Parent of 5 and 10-year-old
February 15, 2020
age 16+

Dildos and Nipples

As a parent, I think you should base your decision on when it’s appropriate for your child to watch designers use fabrics that include dildos and nipples on them. And in which they talk endlessly about dildos and nipples. I’ve been watching PR with my 10 year old for over a year and been okay with the bleeped out language and some more adult themes that could require a discussion, like homosexuality. But this was a little over the edge for me to watch with my elementary-age child. So, do with this info as you will.

This title has:

Too much sex
See all 7 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In PROJECT RUNWAY, more than a dozen designers -- ranging from instructors at fashion schools to small-time designers with their own businesses to very young recent grads -- compete in weekly design challenges. The finalists then create their own lines to present at New York's Fashion Week. The winner gets money, a magazine fashion spread, and other prizes. Hostess/executive producer Heidi Klum meets with the designers when their challenges are announced and on the runway when their pieces are judged by famous designers, magazine fashion editors, and other celebrity guests. Tim Gunn, head of the Parsons School for Design, is the liaison to the designers and guides them through their challenges.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (7 ):
Kids say (27 ):

Watching the designers create their pieces in incredibly short amounts of time with small budgets -- and usually in the midst of hysteria a-- is awe-inspiring. Unfortunately, Project Runway doesn't really linger on the design process (sketching, selecting fabric and materials, cutting, pinning, measuring, sewing, detailing). Instead, the cameras tend to focus on the drama between the contestants' over-achieving, arrogant personalities as the designers scramble to finish their challenges (and cut each other down). Then viewers watch as the competitors' unique designs are displayed on the super-thin bodies of aspiring models. Is this what we want teens to be thinking is real?

It's easy to get sucked into this admittedly addictive show. For kids serious about design, it offers a peek into the nasty side of the fashion industry -- what's behind the glitz and glitter and bling. But beware: This show is a very slippery slope and hard to turn off once you start.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the unglamorous side of the fashion world. How much education, hard work, and risk does it take to become a designer?

  • Does being a worthy competitor mean foregoing any gestures of cooperation?

TV Details

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