Project Runway Season 6, premiered on Lifetime on August 20, 2009, the first season to be aired on that network. The production of this season started in September 2008 and finished the pre-finale filming on October 17, 2008. It is the only season of Project Runway filmed at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles.
Returning as judges are supermodel Heidi Klum, fashion designer Michael Kors, and Marie Claire fashion director Nina Garcia. Tim Gunn returned as a mentor to the aspiring designers. This is the second season which consisted of all female finalists.
The winner of this season of Project Runway, Irina Shabayeva, received an editorial feature in an issue of Marie Claire magazine, a cash prize of $100,000 to start her own line, and an all-expenses-paid trip for two to Paris. Furthermore, the winning model of this season, Kalyn Hemphill, received a $25,000 cash prize from L’Oreal and took part in the winning designer's fashion spread in Marie Claire.
The premiere was preceded by a two-hour special episode of Project Runway: All-Star Challenge where eight past contestants (Daniel Vosovic, Santino Rice, Jeffrey Sebelia, Uli Herzner, Mychael Knight, Chris March, Sweet P, and Korto Momolu) competed in one challenge with a cash prize of $100,000. Vosovic won the challenge, while Momolu came in second place, Sweet P in third, and March in fourth.
In 2010, eight of the contestants in this season would appear in the video game adaptation of the series, which was released shortly after the season ended.
In 2012, Gordana Gehlhausen competed on Project Runway: All Stars where she finished 11th of 13.
Also in 2012, Althea Harper competed on Project Runway All Stars (season 2) placing 8th of 13.
In 2013, Irina Shabayeva competed in Project Runway All Stars (season 3), placing 6th of 11.
In 2019, Irina Shabayeva returned for a third time to compete on Project Runway All Stars (season 7) against worldwide Project Runway winners. Irina placed 3rd.
Contestants
Models
Challenges
: Heidi Klum cited Nicolas as "very lucky" repeatedly, stating had he not had immunity from the last challenge, he could have also been out. : Tim Gunn announced that this would be the last challenge awarding immunity to the winner. Immunity will no longer be granted from episode 9 and onward until the competition ends. : Logan made it farther than anyone else in the history of the competition without ever having a "HIGH" score. : This is the first and only season where none of the finalists ever receives a "LOW" score
The designer won Project Runway Season 6. The designer was advanced to Fashion Week. The designer won the challenge The designer came in second but did not win the challenge. The designer had one of the highest scores for that challenge, but did not win. The designer had one of the lowest scores for that challenge, but was not eliminated. The designer was in the bottom two, but was not eliminated. The designer lost and was out of the competition.
Models of the Runway
: The aftershow "Models of the Runway" fully reveals the eliminated model of a future challenge. : Valerie was originally eliminated in Episode 2; however, she was brought back after Erika, Carol Hannah's model, voluntarily withdrew. : All the designers were required to switch models for this episode. : In place of the models, a group of divorcées modeled designs based on their old wedding dresses. Colored boxes in this column refer to the models assigned to the winning and losing designers. : The designers were once again required to switch models for this episode.
The model won Project Runway Season 6. The model wore the winning design that challenge. The model wore the losing design that challenge. The model was eliminated. The model was brought back into the competition. The model withdrew from the competition.
Designer legend
Althea: AH
Ari: AF
Carol Hannah: CW
Christopher: CS
Epperson: RE
Gordana: GG
Irina: IS
Johnny: JS
Logan: LN
Louise: LB
Malvin: MV
Mitchell: MH
Nicolas: NP
Qristyl: QF
Ra'mon: RC
Shirin: SA
Rate The Runway Results
Episodes
Episode 1: Welcome to Los Angeles! Original Airdate: August 20, 2009
The designers were asked to create a dress made for a red carpet event, focusing on innovation on their creation and making a statement on who they are as a designer. They were preassigned models for their challenge, given 30 minutes to sketch their design, a 30-minute shopping spree at Mood with a budget of $200, and two days to complete their design.