LOS ANGELES – The season premiere of "Project Runway" will dazzle viewers with its usual display of eye-popping wardrobes. But the most memorable fashion statement comes when contestant Kovid Kapoor discovers he's dressing the show's first transgender model in the show's 15-year history.
The revelation makes Kapoor, a gay designer from a Himalayan valley town in India, downright giddy. Viewers who believe the clothing industry is too focused on skinny white girls will be, too.
"This is the most inclusive iteration of 'Project Runway' that the world has ever seen," said new judge Elaine Welteroth, former editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue. "At a time like this, when the world feels like it's become very, very tumultuous from a social and political perspective, we all just need a reason to dream again. We all need a reason to laugh, to smile, to cheer someone on, to come together. It's a really critical moment in time to have a show like this that really bridges the country together."
In addition to Kapoor, who exudes the excitement of an audience member just selected to play "The Price Is Right," there's Jamall Osterholm, a gay black man dedicated to addressing gender and racial stereotypes; Samoan native Afa Ah Loo, who generously borrows from his heritage for inspiration; Renee Hill, the mother of nine children; and Frankie Lewis, who vows to focus on plus-size models with clothes that "hug every curve they've got."
Five of the 16 new contestants were born outside the United States, including Colombian Jhoan "Sebastian" Grey, who worked as a housekeeper before making the cut.
With an expanded international scope, "Runway" doubles down on the show's mission to make the American dream come true.
"I mean, I'm somebody who still doesn't understand which fork to use at one of those fancy dinners," said new judge Brandon Maxwell, who bills himself as Lady Gaga's fashion director. "Because I didn't have that background, I really latched onto this show."
Maxwell and Welteroth, only the second African-American to earn an editor-in-chief title in the Condé Nast publishing empire, aren't the only fresh faces on the series.