Naman Shrestha
Created by Eli Holzman, Hulu’s ‘Project Runway’ is a reality series centered around the art and intricacies of fashion design. It follows talented contestants who go head to head against each other to come up with the best clothes while racing against time and restricted by materials. After finishing the piece, their designs are judged by the experienced panel, who then eliminate a contestant or two each week. For the final round, the finalists prepare designs and clothes for New York Fashion Week, on the basis of which the judges decide on the winner.
The 21st season followed a similar format but introduced the viewers with a new bunch of skilled fashion designers. After several seasons, Heidi Klum returned as the head judge with Nina García and Law Roach, completing the judge panel for the season. The winner of ‘Project Runway’ season 21 was set to receive a grand cash prize of $200,000, a magazine spread in Elle, and a mentorship with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). The different spaces utilized throughout the season provided the show with a fresh and new look, enhancing the watching experience.
Project Runway Season 21 Filming Locations
‘Project Runway’ season 21 was filmed primarily in New Jersey, especially in Jersey City and Lodi. Some portions were also lensed in New York City, New York. Reportedly, principal photography for the 21st season of ‘Project Runway’ took place over the course of 34 days between March and April 2025. Hayley Grzych, a crew member of season 21, recounted her experience of being a part of the project.
She stated, “…always grateful for @berninaroadie advocating for these kinds of fun projects that make our jobs so special. @megsfreese for navigating the chaos and giggling with me the whole way through. @noeyorkcity for being the best producer, always having our back, and finding a kindred spirit in this bizarre world. and last but certainly not least @nickverreos and @bdavidpaul for being absolute angels. what an overwhelming set to walk into and these two are so thoughtful, helpful, and quickly felt like old friends.”
Jersey City, New Jersey
A major portion of ‘Project Runway’ season 21 was filmed in Jersey City in Hudson County in the northeastern part of Jersey. The team also utilized the services of Parlay Studios, located at 6 Senate Place. The 80,000 sq. ft. studio facility is equipped with a huge warehouse, soundstages, studios, office space, state-of-the-art facilities, and friendly staff, which is ideal to assist in the creation of movies, television shows as well as photography projects. The non-profit organization named Art Fair 14C, staged at 150 Bay Street, specifically the 157B First Street in the Arts District, doubled up as the cast house of the installment.
A few shots of the aspiring fashion designers in their element were also taken at Lincoln High School at 60 Crescent Avenue. Jersey City flaunts a diverse landscape, first-rate studio complexes, skilled local talent, and lucrative tax incentives that support the production of wide-ranging movies and shows. Over the years, it has seen a boom in shoot bookings and has become a favorable filming destination. The shooting of season 11 episode 13 titled ‘Finale, Part 1’ also took place in the city. It has also hosted the production of reality shows such as ‘The Vintage Voyageur,’ ‘Kitchen Cousins,’ ‘The Simple Life,’ and ‘Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.’
Lodi, New Jersey
Filming of season 21 was also carried out in the borough of Lodi in Bergen County, New Jersey. In particular, the team also visited the Lodi warehouse of the show’s regular fabric supplier, Mood Fabrics, at 39 Robinson Road. It is famous around the globe among professional designers, fashion enthusiasts, and the sewing community for its premium quality fabrics, patterns, accessories, and other tools. Interestingly, the multi-store franchise has served as a one-stop shop for fabric sourcing on several seasons of the show. According to the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA), the team spent about $14 million covering on-location costs in the state, owing to which they were rewarded with a tax credit of $4.8 million.
New York City, New York
The 21st installment of the Emmy-winning show was also lensed in New York City in the eponymous state. A beloved filming spot of the show, the Big Apple features prominently in many seasons, enhancing the competitive environment and elevating the spirit with its rich fashion heritage. For the purpose of filming, the cast and crew settled upon the United Palace, a historic theater at 4140 Broadway in the Washington Heights neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan.
The massive auditorium and stage of the visually striking structure likely proved favorable for the show’s aesthetic and scale. Aside from season 21 of ‘Project Runway,’ shows such as ‘Say Yes to the Dress,’ ‘Project Runway All Stars,’ ‘ What Not to Wear,’ ‘Queer Eye,’ ‘Tabatha Takes Over,’ and ‘Australia’s Next Top Model’ were also shot in the city.
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