The Australian version of the hit US series Project Runway starts tonight on Foxtel's Arena. Host and mentor Henry Roth promises a series jammed with pressure, talent and surprisingly, a cooperative Australian spirit in the trenches of the rag trade.

"The pressure pushes out an incredible level of creativity and you'll see designers who start with one distinct way of doing things develop new ideas. And I'm really pleased to tell you, most of them more than rise to the challenge," said Roth.

Highlights of the series, which sees 12 contestants pitted against each other over the next 11 weeks in a series of fashion design challenges, including incredible performances under pressure, more of a mentoring approach from the host and insights into the reality of the schmatte business.

“What you will see is incredible performance under pressure. And surprisingly, it’s quite different to the US series in terms of the cooperation amongst the designers. They don’t walk all over each other, they’re much more human, with more directional fashion and I am much more hands on (than Tim Gunn, host of the US series),” Roth added.

One of the very few "reality" TV shows to actually be based on skill and talent, this is still a personality contest and with 12 characters to watch over the next 11 weeks, everyone will have their favourite. At the media launch hot young Israeli Oren and talented Lui were friendly and excited about the series. Roth says Brent the surfer is one to watch, as of course is Mark Antonio and his fabulous hair. Petrova’s take on vintage fashion will also find a place in the heart of retro fans.

Roth himself is off to the US shortly to continue running his successful bridal wear company, and will no doubt be even more sought after as a fashion commentator following this series.