Project Runway season 1 is the first season of Project Runway, Bravo's reality competition show for fashion designers. The season received critical acclaim including an Emmy nomination for outstanding competitive reality series. Growth in audience popularity was also dramatic from its debut to the season finale, making it a sleeper hit. Project Runway gave Bravo one of its most successful series since Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. The winning designer of the first season was Pennsylvania-based designer Jay McCarroll. As his prize for winning the competition among 12 designers, McCarroll won $100,000, a mentorship with Banana Republic to aid in developing his own fashion label, and a feature of his work in the American edition of ELLE magazine. The winning model of the first season, selected by McCarroll, was Julia Beynon. McCarroll later turned down both the $100,000 and the mentorship with Banana Republic, stating that the prizes came with too much contractual baggage. Austin Scarlett later appeared in Project Runway All Stars in 2012, where he finished runner-up. Wendy Pepper, in the same year, competed in the second season of the All Stars edition placing 12th out of 13. In 2016, Daniel Franco competed in the fifth season of the All Stars edition, placing 12th out of 13. In 2023, Nora Pagel and Kara Saun appeared in the twentieth season with Nora placing 14th and Kara placing 7th out of 14.

Contestants

The 12 models competing for an ELLE spread in the first season were:

Challenges

Rate The Runway

Models

Designer legend

Episodes

Episode 1: Innovation

Original airdate: December 1, 2004 Designers created a sexy, glamorous outfit for a night on the town made only from materials bought at a Manhattan supermarket. The designers had a budget of $50 and one hour to make their purchases. They had one day to complete the design and the winner had immunity for the next challenge and could not be eliminated.

Episode 2: Vision

Original airdate: December 8, 2004 Designers used plain white cotton jersey to build a garment that conveys "envy." They had a budget of $50 and one day to complete the design.

Episode 3: Commercial Appeal

Original airdate: December 15, 2004 Designers created a holiday dress to fit with Banana Republic's current line. They had to pick their fabrics at the studios and had two days to complete their designs.

Episode 4: Collaboration

Original airdate: January 5, 2005 The designers created a new look for rising rock star Sarah Hudson. A team event with three teams, each with a lead designer and two assistants. Each team had $150 and one day to complete the design.

Episode 5: "Model" Clients

Original airdate: January 12, 2005 Working with their chosen models, the designers created a wedding dress for that model. The designers had a budget of $300 and two days to complete the design.

Episode 6: Making a Splash

Original airdate: January 19, 2005 Designers made swimsuits, then attended an evening party with their swimsuit-clad models. The designers had a budget of $75 and five hours to complete their garments. The winner was the designer who received a mention from New York Post reporter Richard Johnson on "Page Six," the newspaper's gossip column.

Episode 7: Design a Collection

Original airdate: January 26, 2005 Designers created a collection for the year 2055 as one team. Kevin was the team leader for this challenge. Each designer had a budget of $50 and one day to complete the collection.

Episode 8: Postal Uniform Challenge

Original airdate: February 2, 2005 Designers redesigned the uniform worn by United States Postal Service workers. The designers had a budget of $100 and one day to complete the design. This episode is particularly notable for the fact that Jay's model was unable to attend the runway showing in time. As a result, Austin walked in her place and received positive feedback for doing so by the judges.

Episode 9: Design for the Red Carpet

Original airdate: February 9, 2005 Designers created a dress for Access Hollywood reporter Nancy O'Dell to wear to the Grammys. The designers had $300 and two days to complete the design.

Episode 10: Reunion

Original airdate: February 16, 2005 All of the participating designers gathered for a reunion hosted by Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn on the eve of Olympus New York Fashion Week at which the final three designers displayed their collections.

Episode 11: Finale

Original airdate: February 23, 2005 The final three designers—Jay, Kara Saun and Wendy—were visited by Tim Gunn at their homes to show the progress of their collections. Each designer created a twelve piece collection for a showing at New York Olympus Fashion Week. Kara Saun had designer shoes created for her collection, however producers determined that was in breach of the contract.