Who was sent home in Project Runway Season 21 Episode 6? 

Heidi Klum in Cologne - Source: Getty
Heidi Klum in Cologne - Source: Getty

Project Runway Season 21, Episode 6 brought big drama as designers battled to survive a tough streetwear challenge. With Heidi Klum hosting and Christian Siriano mentoring, the one-day task pushed everyone to their limits. Seven contestants remained after Madeline Malenfant's exit the week before, and every stitch mattered.

Project Runway's formula stayed the same: tight deadlines, big themes, and judges ready to pounce. Each designer had to prove they could deliver style, skill, and originality while sticking to the rules of the challenge. This week's twist was streetwear—but elevated, taking cues from New York's sidewalks and turning them into runway-worthy looks. The pressure only grew with guest judges Christian Cowan and supermodel Joan Smalls at the table.

By the end, two designers landed in the danger zone, both missing the mark on the theme. The panel's decision was tense, with one career moving forward and the other stopping short—a classic Project Runway scenario that kept the episode buzzing.


What happened in this episode of Project Runway?

The one-day challenge in Project Runway tasked designers with creating elevated streetwear inspired by New York City's urban landscape. Contestants ventured onto the streets to gather inspiration before returning to create their interpretations of sophisticated casual wear.

The theme presented unique difficulties for different designers based on their backgrounds. While streetwear specialist Yuchen Han seemed positioned for success, he chose an ambitious approach that ultimately backfired. Other contestants, like Ethan Mundt, who specializes in drag and evening wear, found themselves completely outside their comfort zones.

Veejay Floresca took additional risks by deciding to dress a male model, forcing her to work with unfamiliar sizing and silhouettes. These strategic choices demonstrated how the challenge pushed designers beyond their usual areas of expertise. Designers received $450 budgets for fabric shopping, creating strategic decisions about resource allocation. Joan made a bold choice by spending her entire budget on three fabric panels without purchasing backup materials. Her decision went against mentor Christian Siriano's repeated warnings about having contingency plans.

"I'm not getting a backup fabric because once I commit to something I commit. Don't tell Christian," she joked.

This risky strategy later contributed to her bottom placement when the fabric choice didn't align with the challenge requirements.

The compressed timeline created intense pressure during the construction phase. Ethan experienced a complete breakdown on day two when he realized he had only two of three required garment pieces completed with less than three hours remaining. Joan provided emotional support during Ethan's crisis, embracing him and offering encouragement to finish his look. This moment demonstrated the camaraderie that develops between contestants facing shared struggles.

Yuchen also struggled with his ambitious design, falling behind schedule and lacking essential components like a top to wear under his jacket. His perfectionist approach conflicted with the challenge's time constraints.

The Project Runway presentation featured mixed results across the seven remaining designers. Ethan, Veejay, and Jesus received safe rankings, avoiding both top and bottom consideration. Belania and Antonio emerged as the top two performers, creating an ironic situation since both had faced bottom placements earlier in the episode. Their recovery demonstrated resilience under pressure.

Joan and Yuchen landed in the bottom two, facing potential elimination after failing to meet challenge expectations. This marked Joan's third bottom placement and Yuchen's first time facing possible elimination.

Belania earned her second challenge victory, becoming the season's first designer to win multiple times. Her look reinterpreted Audrey Hepburn's professional style for modern streetwear, though judge Law Roach criticized her explanation.

The bottom two faced harsh criticism from the judging panel. Joan's fabric choice received particular scrutiny, with judges agreeing she missed the challenge theme entirely. Christian called her “more talented than the fabric,” delivering ambiguous feedback about her abilities.

Yuchen faced devastating critique from Law Roach, who expressed anger over the streetwear specialist's failure to excel in his specialty area. He called it “terrible” and compared it to knockoff Balenciaga.

"I am so mad at you over this look," Law stated.

What was the final verdict?

Despite the harsh critiques for both bottom contestants, the judges faced a difficult decision. Joan's repeated bottom placements suggested consistency issues, while Yuchen's failure in his specialty area raised questions about his competitive viability.

The episode ended with the elimination announcement, though the document does not specify which designer was ultimately sent home. Both contestants had significant weaknesses that justified potential departure from the competition.

Project Runway Season 21 Episode 6's streetwear challenge exposed designer weaknesses while rewarding adaptability and execution. The episode's high-pressure environment and expert guest judges created compelling television while advancing the competition toward its finale. With six designers remaining after the elimination, the season continues building toward its ultimate conclusion.


You can watch Project Runway on Bravo, with episodes streaming next day on Peacock.

Edited by Ritika Pal