The search has begun for New Zealand's best, undiscovered fashion talent, as applications open for Project Runway New Zealand.

The reality franchise will come to New Zealand for the first time in 2018 and follow the format that was made famous by the American show hosted by Heidi Klum for 16 season.

Each week, designers compete against one another in a series of challenges and at the end of every episode, after sending their creation down the catwalk, one competitor – determined by the panel – will face elimination.

SUPPLIED Tim Gunn has won fans far and wide for his honest opinions in the US version of Project Runway.

In the series' final challenge, the remaining designers will create a full collection, which ultimately decides who will be crowned the winner.

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TVNZ 2 are looking for men and women of all ages from across New Zealand, who are over 18 and available for filming during April and May.

The application process requires wannabe stars to upload a photo of themselves, their designs and a video that explains "who they are as a designer" and why they think they can be the next big thing in New Zealand fashion.

TVNZ have not confirmed who the expert judges will be, nor who will be hosting the show when it screens later this year. They have also not confirmed what the prize contestants will be in to win, saying that will be announced at a later stage.

In the US series, the designers compete for the opportunity to show their line at New York Fashion Week and receive money to launch their own fashion line.

In the past, Kiwis have jumped at the chance to appear on a variety of reality television shows.

More than 8000 hopefuls applied to be on the first season of Survivor New Zealand, and close to 4000 singles put their hand up to be part of Married At First Sight New Zealand in 2017.

When TVNZ announced the reality-heavy schedule for 2018, the broadcaster's director of content, Cate Slater said the format was the best way for TVNZ to win the 7.30pm competition for viewers.

"Reality is a broad catch-all term, but this is event viewing. It's viewing you want to watch on the night that it's on. It's the water-cooler stuff," she said.

"We're putting a focus on 7.30pm and how to get people to our platforms and channels. We are doing a great job at 6pm and 7pm and this is about 'how do we keep those audiences at 7.30pm and keep them engaged?' And we think this is a really great way to do that across the week. That's the job reality [television] does."