Heidi Klum returned to Project Runway in 2025 for season 21, but the claim that she is worth $160 million—and that her return will increase that wealth—is not substantiated by the sources reviewed. Klum said she came back because she loves and is proud of the show, which she described as her “first television baby.”
Why did Heidi Klum return to Project Runway?
Klum stepped away after the show’s first 16 seasons and returned for season 21 in 2025. Asked why she came back, she told The Wall Street Journal that the show was something she had helped create and sell to the network, and that she was proud of its progress and its earlier attention to issues such as body positivity. She summed up her connection to it this way: “in my heart, I was never really gone.”
In an August 6, 2025, Good Morning America appearance, Klum joked: “As they say in fashion, one day you’re in, the next day you’re out. In my case I’m back in again.” The report said she wore a two-piece skirt set designed by a current contestant.
Is Heidi Klum really worth $160 million?
The $160 million figure is not established by the sources reviewed. They do not provide a named net-worth estimate, a method for calculating one, or an authoritative personal financial disclosure. The available material also does not state Klum’s compensation for returning to the show or quantify any resulting increase in her wealth. The figure should therefore be treated as unverified, not as a confirmed valuation.
#1 Best Overall
- Toys that Teach: This kids fashion design kit sparks creativity and develops essential design skills while introducing kids to fashion design basics like sketching, fabric layering and basic sewing
- How It Works: Walk through each step in the guidebook—sketch your ideas, add details, layer fabrics, learn basic sewing skills and follow simple patterns—then display your designs in a fashion show
- No Sewing Required: Study girls' fashion at any skill level, easily cutting out fabrics, piecing outfits together and pushing fabric into place on the included mannequins without sewing
- Hands-on Design: Sketch & color outfits, add fabrics, use simple patterns, cut fabrics that can be attached to included mannequins and learn basic sewing in this educational fashion designer kit
- Includes over 450 fabrics, sketch book, 10 dress patterns, accessories, essential design tools, 3 mini mannequins and a guidebook with step-by-step instructions and fun facts (Ages 8 and up)
What is confirmed about Project Runway’s next season?
Freeform’s June 18, 2026 announcement says season 22 premieres July 9, 2026, at 9:30 p.m. EDT/PDT on Freeform, with streaming shortly after on Hulu and Disney+ and weekly episodes thereafter. The official Project Runway page also lists the July 9 premiere. These are U.S. details; availability and schedules may differ by region.
The season 22 announcement describes a competition with 22 designers, the show’s largest season to date and its first with that many competitors. It names Klum, Law Roach, and Nina Garcia as judges, Christian Siriano as mentor, and Tyra Banks as a recurring judge. The designer count is a show-production statistic, not evidence about Klum’s personal finances.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- All-Inclusive 1200+ Piece Set: Everything needed for the fashion runway! 30 premium fabrics, 8 mannequins, 6 dress templates, and 1200+ accessories to design 100+ unique outfits. Non-random fixed fabric styles—what you see is what you get! Includes 2 oversized fabrics ideal for ballgowns and full-skirted dresses. Keeps young designers engaged for hours—ideal for playdates, after-school & weekend crafts, rainy day remedies, and family bonding, etc.
- No-Sew & Sewing Dual Modes: Ideal for beginners or more skilled budding designers! The mannequin's back-groove design lets beginners craft 3D outfits easily using ribbons, elastics, and tape—no needles needed. For those eager to level up, it's also great for practicing hand-sewing to create intricate fashion masterpieces.
- 8 Dress Designs Detailed Guide & 6 Pre-cut Templates: Never worry about where to start. Features step-by-step illustrated guides for 8 iconic dress styles and 6 reusable pre-cut kraft templates, making fashion design intuitive and fun from the very first project. Once she masters the basics, we encourage every young designer to unleash her imagination, mix and match materials, and infuse her own creative flair to craft unique, one-of-a-kind outfits that truly reflect her personal style.
- Unleash Creativity & Fashion Talent: Designed for kids ages 6+. Transform your child into a mini stylist with these diverse fabrics, sparkling accessories (lace, bows, rhinestones, etc), and craft tools to design for 8 mannequins. It's a great screen-free activity to boost imagination and innovation, enhance aesthetic sensibility, develop fine motor skills and build confidence through self-expression.
- Surprising Gift for Little Designers: Presented in a beautiful, premium gift box, this fashion design kit makes a memorable present for birthdays, holidays, Easter, Christmas or any occasion. Ideal for girls who love art, fashion, and DIY projects. Watch their eyes light up as they design their own runway-ready collection!
Rank #4
- 6 Mannequins Display More Designs: The newest fashion designer kits for girls includes 6 mannequins for display, along with detailed instructions and tutorial videos for making clothing styles. The set also comes with several clothing templates. A perfect fashion design and sewing kit for girls ages 8-12 who love creativity.
- Full Set of Tools: More variety, more creativity; This fashion clothing sewing kit includes everything you need, with 800+ pieces of materials to create 85+ unique outfits. The set features 6 dress mannequins, clothing templates, a tape measure, 26 fabric swatches, 6 trims, 6 ribbons, scissors, sewing tools, 100+ decorative flowers and bows, and 400+ other embellishments — perfect for endless creative possibilities!
- Sew & No-Sew — Two Ways to Create: A real learn-to-sew kit for beginners and budding designers. Kids can hand-sew their outfits to practice a new skill, or use the specially grooved mannequin backs to design easily with tying, tapes, and stick-on techniques. Two modes that grow with your child — sewing for the ambitious, no-sew for quick, mess-free fun.
- Cultivate Creativity: The girl fashion design studio is the best teacher to help kids have a preliminary awareness of dress design. This fashion designer kit for kids helps develop fine motor skills, stimulate creativity and imagination, and build self-confidence. Give them a wonderful childhood time under full hours of fun.
- Fun Gift Idea: Best gift for 8 to 12 year old girl who loves expressing their talent through design! Moreover, the fashion sewing kit for girls lets them unleash their inner fashion designer with hours of imaginative fun. Great for birthday gift, treasure box prizes, Valentine's Day gift, Halloween gift, Christmas gift, Children's Day gift, Thanksgiving gift.
Rank #3
- BOOSTS CREATIVE & ARTISTIC SKILLS: Design, trace, color & accessorize anywhere with this spiral-bound sketchbook portfolio, which includes 35 sketch sheets with pre-printed models' silhouettes for anyone who wants to improve their techniques
- BRING IT EVERYWHERE YOU GO: This compact spiral-bound set perfectly fits into a tote bag or backpack, making it great for road trips, vacations and for on-the-go entertainment. This set provides hours of screen-free entertainment that inspires creativity
- WHAT'S INCLUDED: This set includes 35 sketch sheets, 4 removable stencil pages, and 150+ assorted stickers. Kit also comes with instructions, color theory guides, and printed fabric swatches to keep you inspired. Designed in the USA. Ages 8 and up
- PERFECT GIFT FOR FASHIONISTAS: Every budding fashion designer will love this sketch set. It makes designing fashion fun, effortless and inspiring. Build your design portfolio, make endless outfit possibilities and test them out on your virtual runway
- FASHION ANGELS: Founded in 1996, is a leading designer and manufacturer of award-winning products for tween girls, including arts & crafts, jewelry, stationery and lifestyle accessories, providing them with the tools and inspiration to develop creativity and confidence
Rank #2
- Companion Add-On to Run the Runway Fashion Design Kit: Expansion pack made to pair with the MindWare Run the Runway Fashion Design Kit (sold separately), refilling supplies and adding fresh patterns, trims, handbags, and display pieces.
- 350+ Piece Accessory Studio: Includes 3-tier display stand, 4 display busts, 4 mini handbags, 6 necklaces, 6 bracelets, 8 chains, 4 charms, 10 patterned papers, 4 glitter foam sheets, 2 faux leather sheets, ribbon, gems, pearls, scissors, and tape.
- No Sewing Required, Just Design and Stick: Built around adhesive foam, double-stick tape, and peel-and-stick gems so kids ages 8 and up can create polished mini handbags and jewelry without needles, thread, or glue guns. Great for beginners.
- Guided Creativity with Room to Experiment: Full-color step-by-step guide book walks young designers through mood boards, material selection, and finished projects, then encourages original designs that build fine motor skills and color theory.
- Built-In Boutique Display: The 3-tier stand and 4 necklace busts turn finished pieces into a mini storefront, and the box back opens into a boutique backdrop. A ready-made birthday or holiday gift for creative girls ages 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.
