Season 1
Project Runway South Africa is a South African version of the reality competition format devised by Miramax Television and The Studio and licensed by FreMantle Limited in which aspiring fashion designers compete against each other to create runway-perfect garments restricted by time, materials and theme.
Selected competitors are progressively eliminated based on the judges' scores until only a few contestants remain; these finalists prepare a complete fashion collection, from which a winner is determined.
Lerato Kganyago steps into the role of the host of Project Runway South Africa, who leads viewers through the adventures, dramas and stories as they unfold on-screen.
Lerato heads the panel of judges and while she's the one who eliminates contestants at the end of each episode, she's also the one nurturing their talent alongside mentor Gert-Johan Coetzee.
Fashion designer Gert-Johan Coetzee takes on the role of mentor in the show, playing a substantial role as the show’s golden key to unlocking greater depths of creativity within each contestant, as they compete for their big break into the fashion industry.
Amidst the inevitable drama and panic that comes with intense challenges, Coetzee is also the calm eye of the storm for the contestants, keeping them on deadline, guiding them on their designs and fabric choices, steering them towards the finishing line and the ultimate expression of their own voices.
Designs are judged by Lerato Kganyago, Noni Gasa and Rahim Rawjee in the company of guest judges each week.
Designers are eliminated until one walks away with the prize: an opportunity to showcase as a pop up with ELLE African collections and a trip to Paris Fashion week (flights and accommodation included) for its spring/summer event in February 2019.
The winner will also receive additional prizes to the value of R1-million.
Project Runway South Africa is an M-Net Original Mzansi Magic Production, produced by Rapid Blue and Ndalo Pictures. The executive producers are Duncan Irvine, Kee-Leen Irvine, Khanyi Dhlomo and Ed Worster. The series director is Bev Palesa Ditsie and the series producer is Adi de Lancey.
Guest Judges
The following were guest judges throughout Season 1:
Kelly Fung
Palesa Mokubung
Enhle Mbali Maphumulo
Hangwani Nengovhela
Sheena Adams
Laduma Ngxokolo
Khaya Sibiya
Louw Kotze
Khanyi Dhlomo
Andile Cele
Winner
Kentse Masilo