Tim Gunn takes a group of fashion industry professionals in search of the next great designer. They interview thousands of applicants, and narrow them down to the 15 contestants for the third season of Project Runway.

Fifteen designers arrive in New York and are asked to create an outfit in just two days using only materials found in their apartments.

The designers are paired into groups to design and create a gown for Miss USA, Tara Conner, to wear for the Miss Universe pageant. The designers have $300 and two days to complete their designs.

The designers are informed that they'll be creating an evening outfit based on a story inspired by a tiny dog. The designers must also design outfits for the dogs to wear. They have $150 and two days to complete their looks.

The designers, in teams of three, are asked to design a three-piece look that embraces the INC (International Concepts) brand. The winning design will be manufactured, produced, and sold at Macy's stores. The teams have $100 and two days to complete the challenge.

The designers face the challenge of modernizing a look for a famous "fashion icon:" Cher, Farrah Fawcett, Pam Grier, Audrey Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn, Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Onassis, Diana Ross, or Twiggy. They have $150 and two days to complete their designs.

At the Waste Management Recycle America Center, each designer is given 30 minutes to fill as many bins as they desire with recyclable materials. They must create an outfit from these materials, in one day, with an additional $25 for art supplies.

The designers are asked to create an outfit for an "everyday woman" …each other's mothers and sisters. They have $150 and one day to complete the challenge.

The designers are tasked to create an "international jet-set" outfit. They will then be flown to Paris to model the wearability of the garments. They have $75 and one day to complete the look.

While in Paris, the designers' next challenge is to make a gown employing haute couture techniques. They have 300€ and two days to complete the challenge.

Eliminated designers who have won at least one previous challenge are given a chance to get back into the competition. The designers are asked to create a cocktail dress using only black and white fabrics. They have $100 and one day to complete their design, with the stipulation that they must use all of their purchased fabric.

The designers are asked to create an outfit that expresses "their specific point of view." They must also stage a photo-shoot with their models and find three words that best express who they are as designers. They have $250 and two days to complete the challenge.

The cast of Season 3 reunites to recap all the gripes, drama and other shenanigans which were only seen by those behind the scenes. One of the designers wins the first ever "Fan Favorite" award, along with a check for $10,000.

The designers are split into two teams living and working separately to create mini-collections celebrating color. The competition comes to a head on the day of the runway show when they reunite hoping their team is victorious.

In their first individual challenge, the designers take on streetwear. They must use their unique personal experiences and cultures to create impactful looks containing at least three separate pieces. They have $300 and two days to complete their garments.

After the designers are sent to sleep in a haunted mansion to find inspiration for their challenge, they are tasked to create a hauntingly chic masquerade gown and mask. They have $500 and two days to complete their outfits.

Inspired by colorful blooms, the designers must create their own unique floral print from scratch and turn it into a high-end runway look. They have two days to complete the challenge.

For their next challenge, the designers must collaborate with local accessory designers to create a stylish runway look and a brand new accessory. They have $400 for fabric at Mood, an additional $250 for notions at Hai Trim & Feathers, and two days to complete the challenge.

For this challenge, each designer is paired with a star from Bravo's "Real Housewives" shows in order to create the ultimate reunion show look for them. They have $700 and two days to complete their garments.

For this assignment, the designers are each teamed with an up-and-coming hairstylist for a head-to-toe fashion collaboration. They must create a runway look inspired by their stylist's hair design. They have $500 and one day to complete the challenge.

Each of the remaining designers is given five months and $10,000 to design a 10-piece collection for Fashion Week. In the interim, each gets a special visit in their hometown from Christian Siriano. Back in New York, they present their work at Fashion Week and a winner is crowned.