*There’s no doubt that First Lady Michelle Obama is a fashion icon with impeccable style and a classic sense of glamour, which we’re hoping will inspire the young designers of tomorrow on “Project Runway Junior,” the teenage spin-off of Lifetime’s hit fashion designer competition show.
The new series features 12 fashionistas, ages 13 to 17, who will create designs based on weekly challenges, Variety reports. The winner will receive a full scholarship to California’s Fashion Institute of Design and Marketing, a complete sewing and crafting studio, a Seventeen Magazine feature and a $25,000 cash prize to assist in launching their clothing line.
Mrs. Obama’s project will support her Let Girls Learn initiative for the 62 million girls worldwide who are not in school. Her challenge calls on contestants to create a design that will be used and sold on LandsEnd.com.
The judging panel on the series includes Kelly Osbourne, “Project Runway” season 4 winner Christian Siriano and Cosmopolitan and Seventeen Magazine executive fashion editor Aya Kanai. Actress Bella Thorne will be a guest judge for the final challenge, which will air on Feb. 4.
“Project Runway” favorite Tim Gunn serves as mentor and will co-host with supermodel Hannah Davis.
“Project Runway Junior” premieres November 12 on Lifetime, with Michelle’s episode airing December 10.
A list of contestants can be found here.
In related news, Michelle offered high school seniors some advice on applying to college during a visit at Howard Community College in Columbia on Thursday.
“Relax. You live in America. You have a lot of options,” Michelle said. “We just want students to know about them.”
Obama answered questions from the students during a panel discussion hosted by Essence Magazine.
“Colleges are truly looking for the whole story,” she said. “They are looking to diversify their student populations, so they’re looking for students with many different experiences. Don’t downplay the parts of you that make you unique.”
Mrs. Obama’s visit was part of an initiative she launched in 2014, Reach Higher, which aims to teach every student in America to pursue education after high school.
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