Emmy-winning reality series Project Runway returns for another season of high stakes and fierce fashion, this time streaming exclusively on Discovery Plus. Nina Garcia, who has been a judge on the show since it launched in 2004, also returns this time with Brandon Maxwell, and Elaine Welteroth who joined her since Season 17, to decide who has what it takes to make it in this industry. Host Karlie Kloss is back, along with Christian Siriano as the mentor. In Season 18, the designers are tasked with creating functional outfits for Olympians and Paralympians, as well as turning donated garments from Goodwill of NY into high fashion wear. Garcia, the editor-in-chief of Elle magazine (US) and celebrity red carpet correspondent, responds to questions from The Telegraph over email.

How was it having Serena Williams as a fellow judge in the final?

We couldn’t dream of a better judge than Serena Williams to close our 18th season. She is such an inspiration for all of us; she excels on and off the tennis court and she loves and understands fashion.

Who are the celebrity judges in Season 18?

Other judges include Leslie Jones (I live for her Project Runway live tweeting!), Laverne Cox, Cyndi Lauper, Thom Browne and Kiernan Shipka.

You have an episode on tie and dye this season.

I love tie-dye! And in fact I’m wearing a tie-dye dress when I introduce the challenge. What I love about this technique is that it can be applied to almost every single fabric: from denim to cashmere. Tie-dye made a comeback not only on the runways but also at home... if you look at TikTok or Instagram you will see thousands of stories from people making their own creations. And I love that!

You have been a judge on Project Runway since the start. In what way has the show evolved?

What I love about Project Runway and fashion is that they both evolve hand-in-hand with our society. Every single season, our show has changed a little bit without losing its core DNA. That might explain the longevity of this format.

Tell us about some outrageous creations you have witnessed on the show in 18 seasons.

We have seen everything! Dresses created from corn husks, a jacket made of car parts and some really unique challenges like one where designers had to create an outfit for stilt-walkers and a Season 4 challenge that was introduced by our late Chris March where designers had to create dresses for drag queens.

What are the most unconventional materials used in the Unconventional materials round of Project Runway? Hope Season 18 has that round!

We do indeed! But let’s keep it as a surprise! I’m just going to say that designers have to fight for their ‘fabrics’.

What happened to the candies in the Unconventional Materials round in Season 10?

If they used Cheetos, I’m sure Michael or myself would have eaten some!

Talk of some finalists who have really made it...

I’m so proud of all of them, starting with Christian Siriano (winner of Season 4 and currently mentor)... he is a lighthouse for the rest of the designers. Leanne Marshall (winner of Season 5) has created a very successful bridal business and Michael Costello (fourth in Season 8 and second runner-up in Project Runway All Stars) has dressed some of the music industry’s top celebs (like Jennifer Lopez, Celine Dion, Toni Braxton etc).

How will this pandemic affect fashion and the fashion industry in your view?

I think it’s too early to know the effects of this pandemic on our industry. Fashion magazines and brands have always planned so far ahead and now we’ve had to reinvent the way we work completely. I hope this makes the industry rethink the fashion calendar and how we present shows.

Also, how we produce and consume fashion sustainability should be our first priority with a focus on quality vs quantity.

In a pandemic-hit world, will masks be embraced as a fashion accessory or will it simply be known as the thing that killed the lipstick industry?

First of all, I need to address the fact that face masks are so important and that I urge everyone that can, to wear one. Scientists have showed us that masks and social distancing are our best weapons against this virus (until we have a vaccine and medication widely available) so we all need to make the effort to wear one. I don’t think lipstick is going away, but maybe now we will need to pay more attention to our eye make-up.