Project Runway Season 11 Designers Get Shocking Twist—Meet the Contestants!

See who will be competing in teams for the top prize

By Brett Malec Jan 10, 2013 9:00 PMTags
Project Runway, Season 11 CastCourtesy of Lifetime

New year, new season of Project Runway!

Lifetime has announced the designers who will be competing in the upcoming 11th season of the hit fashion reality competition show.

The season 11 twist? Every challenge will be a team challenge!

The competitors that have to work together this season are hopefuls from all over the globe including Brazil, Thailand, Australia and, of course, all over the USA.

Among this season's many challenges and curveballs thrown by host Heidi Klum and mentor Tim Gunn, designers will be sent to different European countries to compete.

Celebrity guest judges who will be popping up include Emmy Rossum, John Legend, Miranda Lambert, Susan Sarandon and Bette Midler (not to mention a quacking duck named Fred!) and it definitely sounds like they'll be bringing the heat.

The Project Runway promo clip gives us a preview of some of the brutal—yet hilarious—criticisms from Kristin Davis, Zac Posen and Nina Garcia like, "The mushy bust looks trashy," "I would die if someone asked me to wear that," and "She looks like she's been shipwrecked!"

Check out the complete list of designers below. Project Runway premiere Jan. 24 at 9 p.m.

Amanda Valentine, 31; Lincoln, Neb.
Benjamin Mach, 35; London
Cindy Marlatt, 59; Kent, Wash.
Daniel Esquivel, 48; Austin, Texas
Emily Pollard, 24; Falls Church, Va.
James Martinez, 29; Fort Worth, Texas
Joseph Aaron Segal, 30; Providence, R.I.
Katelyn Pankoke, 22; Chicago
Layana Aguilar, 27; New York
Mat Arthur, 30; New Orleans
Michelle Lesniak Franklin, 34; Portland, Ore.
Patricia Michaels, 45; Taos, N.M.
Richard Hallmarq, 40; Sacramento, Calif.
Samantha Black, 28; Brooklyn
Stanley Hudson, 45; West Hollywood, Calif.
Tu Nakchat, 26; Springfield, Va.