Project Runway (season 18)
The 18th season of "Project Runway" began Thursday, December 5, 2019. Sixteen designers compete to become "the next great American designer." Returning as judges are supermodel Karlie Kloss, editor-in-chief of "Elle", Nina Garcia, fashion designer Brandon Maxwell, and former editor-in-chief of "Teen Vogue" Elaine Welteroth. Season 4 winner Christian Siriano returns to mentor the designers and use the "Siriano save" for the first time to bring an eliminated designer back into the competition if he disagrees with the judge’s verdict. A "save" was also used by Tim Gunn beginning in Season  12 and continuing for the remainder of his time with the show. Designers. Source: Entertainment Weekly Designer Progress. Asma and Jenn, the losing pair, were eliminated, as the judges had a hard time deciding who should have been out. Episodes. Episode 1: Blast Off. "Original airdate": With luggage still in tow, the designers are greeted at the TWA Hotel at John F. Kennedy International Airport ready to take flight with their first challenge: to create an innovative look inspired by humanity's continued push into space exploration. The designers must pair up and collaborate to make two cohesive pieces -- a  jumpsuit and a cocktail look -- that blow away the judges. Episode 2: Cats of the Urban Jungle. "Original airdate:" Designers must create a fresh take on a timeless classic: animal prints;. Taking inspiration from the movie "Cats", the designers must tame their prints to create cool street-style looks that compete on the runway and in the Flash Sale challenge. Episode 3: Sleigh the Runway. "Original airdate:" The designers are awakened by a surprise visitor and are challenged to show their holiday spirit in the perfect party dress. They are given two days to create the look using holiday-themed  unconventional materials. Episode 4: The Ultimate Upcycle. "Original airdate:" Guest mentor and celebrity stylist Karla Welch tasks the designers with dressing Karlie Kloss, her client. The designers must use donated clothing from a Goodwill store to create their looks for this one-day challenge. Episode 5: She's Sew Unusual. "Original airdate:" Singer Cyndi Lauper inspires and guest judges this team challenge. The designers must create cohesive mini-collections paying homage to Lauper's 1980s fashion style while still giving the looks a modern take -- but Christian throws out a mid-challenge twist that changes everything. Episode 6: There Is  Only One You. "Original airdate:" The designers are given a chance to think about their family history and channel those stories and emotions into a look of their choosing. The stakes are high in this one-day, Flash Sale challenge. Episode 7: Project Runway X Ashley Longshore. "Original airdate": January 23, 2020 The designers are challenged to collaborate with the fashion industry's latest art darling, Ashley Longshore. Using her pop art prints for their garments, the designers must create bold looks that celebrate these one-of-a-kind prints. Episode 8: Sheer Genius. "Original airdate:" January 30, 2020 The  designers are faced with their hardest challenge yet: a one-day challenge using difficult-to-use sexy, sheer fabrics to create editorial looks. "Note: Dayoung Kim withdrew for health reasons." "Most recently eliminated designer Marquise Foster returned to the competition." Episode 9: Suit Yourself. "Original airdate:" February 6, 2020 The challenge is all about turning the tuxedo on its head; inspired by Christian Siriano's Oscar look for actor Billy Porter, the designers must find a way to take the tuxedo into the future with a mix of male, female and non-binary models. A perfectly tailored suit is nearly  impossible without help, so the designers get a surprise second set of hands to help out. Episode 10: Live and Let Tie Dye. "Original airdate:" February 13, 2020 Tie dye is back in a big way, and the designers will need to create their own textiles to elevate the trend from casual to couture. In a twist that may feel more like a trick to the designers, it's an overnight challenge. Episode 11: Olympic Game Plan. "Original airdate:" February 20, 2020 The designers are paired up with athletes who will be competing to be in the 2020 Summer Olympic  and Paralympic games. The designers need to make them their dream outfit for a victory night celebration, using all of their specialty skills to make the perfect proportions for their client's unique bodies, all while keeping their own point of view during a tough client challenge. Episode 12: The Height of Avant Garde Fashion. "Original airdate:" February 27, 2020 With only one challenge left to make it to New York Fashion Week, the remaining designers must think big to create an avant-garde look that is anything but ordinary. In a fashion first, the runway begins with a season  long retrospective, outside and 16 stories high, at New York City’s dramatic Vessel. The stakes are as high as the runway, because in fashion one day you’re in, and in this challenge, two will be out. Episode 13: Finale Part 1. "Original airdate:" March 5, 2020 Christian visits the remaining contestants at home as they furiously complete their final collections. Then it's back to workroom to refine and revise, because even though New York Fashion Week is here, that doesn't mean everyone will show in the finale. "Note: The episode ends with a cliffhanger, the next  episode will announce who will officially go through to the New York Fashion Week." Episode 14: Finale Part 2. "Original airdate:" March 12, 2020 The remaining designers rush to put the final touches on their collections, balancing advice from experts while trying to not lose their own point of view. It’s game, set, match when Serena Williams joins as guest judge for the final runway, with only one designer chosen as the winner.