Season 18

***Top Designer Season 18*** is the eighteenth season of the television show *Top Designer*, appearing on Lifetime. The season began airing on February 4, 2021 with 14 designers competing to become "the next great American designer."

Returning as judges are supermodel Karolina Kurkova, fashion designer, Alexander Wang and Marie Claire creative director, Nina Garcia, and fashion designer and stylist Kelly Osbourne. Tim Gunn returned as a mentor to the aspiring designers.

Aldo was the exclusive retail sponsor for Top Designer's 13th season and has merchandised the accessory wall with an assortment of products.

## Episodes

### **Episode 1: Dive Into the Deep End**

*Original Airdate:* February 4, 2021

The fourteen designers are thrown into the deep end - literally. They must dive into a pool and pick out water-resistant fabric to create a beach party look while showing who they are as designers.

WINNER: **Gregorio**
ELIMINATED: **Jacob**
### **Episode 2: Jumpin' Jumpin'**

*Original Airdate:* February 11, 2021

The thirteen remaining designers must create costumes for the New York City gymnastics team.

WINNER: **Salman**
ELIMINATED: **Serafina**
### **Episode 3: Mad Men**

*Original Airdate:* February 18, 2021

The designers must work in pairs to create a modern couple inspired by the 1960's. The pairings were Salman & Simon, Beattie & Molly, Chidera & Sean, Gregorio & Laura, Arabella & Peter, Isaiah & Yuki.

WINNER: **Molly**
ELIMINATED: **Peter**
### **Episode 4: Like An Open Book**

*Original Airdate:* February 25, 2021

The remaining eleven designers must create red carpet fashion created from materials found at a Barnes & Nobles-store.

WINNER: **Yuki**
ELIMINATED: **Sean**
### **Episode 5: Smoking Hot**

*Original Airdate:* March 4, 2021

The designers must create sexy lingerie with a tear-away ready-to-wear outfit.

WINNER: **Beattie**
ELIMINATED: **Isaiah**
### **Episode 6: It's About Time**

*Original Airdate:* March 11, 2021

The remaining nine designers are split into teams of three, where they must complete a ready-to-wear mini-collection inspired by the The Past, The Present and The Future.
The Past was created by leader Chidera with members Laura and Salman, The Present was created by leader Beattie with members Simon and Arabella, and the future was created by leader Molly with members Gregorio and Yuki.

WINNER: **Molly**
ELIMINATED: **Chidera**
### **Episode 7: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly**

*Original Airdate:* March 18, 2021

The eight designers are split into two teams. Team Good consisting of Salman, Beattie, Gregorio and Simon and Team Bad consisting of Molly, Arabella, Yuki and Laura. They must create avant-garde outfits wishing their theme.

WINNER: **Gregorio**
ELIMINATED: **Laura**
### **Episode 8: The Streets of NYC**

*Original Airdate:* March 25, 2021

The remaining seven designers must find women of the street of New York City and give them a makeover. This was the Aldo-challenge.

WINNER: **Arabella**
ELIMINATED: **Beattie**
### **Episode 9: Me, Myself & I**

*Original Airdate:* April 1, 2021

The six competing designers must create a high end look using their own created textiles that tells a personal story.

WINNER: **Gregorio**
ELIMINATED: **Salman**
### **Episode 10: Dripping in Diamonds**

*Original Airdate:* April 8, 2021

For their final challenge before Fashion Week, the five remaining designers must create a red carpet look incorporating diamonds.

WINNER: **Arabella**
ELIMINATED: **Simon**
### **Episode 11: Finale Part 1**

*Original Airdate:* April 15, 2021

ADVANCED: **Arabella**, **Gregorio**, **Molly, Yuki**
ELIMINATED: **None**
### **Episode 11: Finale Part 2**

*Original Airdate:* April 22, 2021

TOP DESIGNER: **Molly**
ELIMINATED: **Gregorio** (Runner-Up), **Yuki** (2nd Runner-Up) & **Arabella**(3rd Runner-Up)