Image via Complex Original
Lead
Since 2004, eager designers with nascent ambitions have been clawing at their fellow contestants with needle and thread on the Bravo-turned-Lifetime reality show Project Runway. Even in our novelty-focused entertainment era, the elimination-style fashion show has managed to hang on for a surprisingly lengthy 125-episode run, and, will lurch into its tenth season (thirteenth, if you include spin-off seasons) tonight at 9 p.m.
But Heidi Klum's sparkling charm and Tim Gunn's scathing criticism can only take ratings so far. The real reason we're still tuning in to the show is not to gawk at the spectacular designs strutting down the runway, but to mock the offensively ugly, sartorial disasters that inevitably surface each episode. Here, we catalog the most snub-worthy designs and hilariously misled efforts the design show has spawned: The 25 Ugliest Outfits On Project Runway.
Follow @ComplexPopCult
The Ghost Pirate by Seth, Season 7
25. "The Ghost Pirate" by Seth Aaron Henderson, Season 7
Looks like Beetlejuice decided to give up haunting houses for pirating the high seas!
The Intergalactic Flight Attendant by Austin, Project Runway: All Stars
24. "The Intergalactic Flight Attendant" by Austin Scarlett, Project Runway: All Stars
Austin proves he's a real space cadet with a design only fit for Judy Jetson.
The Halloween Costume by Shirin, Season 6
23. "The Not-So-Haute Halloween" by Shirin Askari, Season 6
A better bride of Frankenstein costume could be purchased at a party store.
The Tropical Fish by Amy, Season 7
22. "The Tropical Fish" by Amy Sarabi, Season 7
Mommy and me, creatures of the sea!
The Hershey Kiss by Christopher, Season 6
21. "The Hershey's Kiss" by Christopher Straub, Season 6
Tinfoil is for leftovers, not runways.
The Parakeet Piñata by Becky, Season 9
20. "The Parakeet Piñata" by Becky Ross, Season 9
If we crack her open, will bird seeds fall out?
Ms. Scissorhands by Jay, Season 7
19. "Ms. Scissorhands" by Jay Nicolas Sario, Season 7
Look, ma, no mouth!
The Space Tramp by Stella, Season 5
18. "The Space Tramp" by Stella Zotis, Season 5
Zero gravity and zero class!
The Amphibian Princess by Ra'mon, Season 6
17. "The Amphibian Princess" by Ra'mon-Lawrence Coleman, Season 6
The Geico lizard ain't got nothing on you, sweetie.
The Slutty Girl Scout by Kara, Season 1
16. "The Slutty Girl Scout" by Kara Saun, Season 1
Always be prepared...to show a lot of cleavage!
The Dress of Many Scarves by Blayne, Season 5
15. "The Dress of Many Scarves" by Blayne Walsh, Season 5
It looks like a magician's hat just vomited on you.
Peter Pan Meets Pocohontas by Gretchen, Season 8
14. "Peter Pan Meets Pocahontas" by Gretchen Jones, Season 8
This is why Disney stories don't often collide.
The Newspaper Geisha by Epperson, Season 6
13. "The Newspaper Geisha" by Epperson, Season 6
The Sunday Styles section is clearly missing.
The Transexual Pirate by Nick, Season 2
12. "The Transsexual Pirate" by Nick Verreos, Season 2
The only thing more offensive than Nick's hideous outfit is the fact that it won.
The Flying Lotus by Kristin, Season 8
11. "The Flying Lotus" by Kristen Haskin Simms, Season 8
Is that a labia on your forehead or are you just happy to see me?
The Bloody 60's by Laura, Season 9
10. "The Bloody '60s" by Laura Kathleen, Season 9
Side note: If The Hippie Hitman were a movie, we'd totally rent it.
"Geisha on Acid" by Terri, Season 5
9. "Geisha on Acid" by Terri Stevens, Season 5
Even a drag queen wouldn't be caught dead in this KISS meets Kabuki number.
Victorian Fever by Austin, Project Runway: All Stars
8. "The Royal Fever" by Austin Scarlett, Project Runway: All Stars
It's '80s meets Victorian meets hot water bottle headwear. We're running a high temperature just processing it all!
Little Bo Peep by Jerell, Season 5
7. "Little Bo Peep" by Jerell Scott, Season 5
This girl doesn't know if she's heading to a meeting or about to herd sheep. Either way, her outfit is inappropriately fugly.
The Sparkly Streetwalker by Christopher, Season 6
6. "The Streetwalker" by Christopher Straub, Season 6
The garter on her leg goes to the highest paying customer. Make your bids now!
Popcorn Bag Chic by Lenoir, Season 7
5. "Popcorn Bag Chic" by Jesse LeNoir, Season 7
Get the butter ready—looks like this container of Jiffy Pop is about to erupt!
The Jolly Green Giant by Becky, Season 9
4. "The Jolly Green Giant" by Becky Ross, Season 9
This is what happens when you have a wrestling match with a bag of vegetables, and the vegetables win.
The Butter Face by Michael, Season 8
3. "Mooning Over You" by Michael Drummond, Season 8
The bottom of the outfit is admittedly gorgeous, but we can't overlook the ass-hat sitting on her forehead.
The Dominatrix Flamenco Dancer by Blayne, Season 5
2. "The Dominatrix Flamenco Dancer" by Blayne Walsh, Season 5
We don't know if we should break out the whip or the castanets! So confusing!
The Avant Garde Butterfly by Kenley, Season 9
1. "The Avant Garde Butterfly" by Kenley Collins, Season 5
A design we wish would just fly away.
