Each of the remaining designers is given five months and $10,000 to design a 12-piece collection for Fashion Week. In the interim, each gets a special visit in their hometown from Tim Gunn. Back in New York, they must choose three of their looks to show as part of a mini-collection in order to secure their spot in the final runway show.

In the conclusion of the finale, the remaining contestants ready their collections for the runway. They are given an additional $500 to spend at Mood to finish their looks. Then they present their lines to industry insiders at Fashion Week.