Eighteen designers have made it through the application stage, but the judges need to pare down the group to fifteen contestants. Later in the workroom, they learn that a designer from a previous season will join them. For their first challenge, the designers are asked to create a Spring look from the provided fabrics that will give the judges a preview of their Fashion Week collections. They have one day to complete the challenge.

Working in teams of three, the designers must create a mini-collection of fashionable looks out of items found in a movie theater or film set. They have one day to complete the challenge.

The designers must draw from their past to inspire a look they think will be relevant 20 years into the future. They have $200 and one day to complete the challenge.

The designers are each assigned a man's vintage suit which will serve as the materials and inspiration for a high fashion look. They have $100 for supplemental fabric and one day to complete the challenge.

The designers must fashion a look for Heidi Klum to wear to the Emmy Awards. They have $250 and one day to complete their garments. After a disastrous client consultation, they are given an additional $100 for another trip to Mood.

Working in pairs, the designers are tasked to create alternative wedding garments. Each team has $400 and one day to complete their looks.

For their next challenge, the designers must create an evening wear look inspired by a piece of Chopard jewelry. Further inspiration is provided by a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They have $250 and one day to complete their garments.

The designers are challenged to create an avant-garde look that must be able to withstand the water elements of Project Runway's first "rain"-way. They have $300 and two days to complete their garments.

The designers are tasked with creating modern, age-appropriate looks for a young girl based on the BeForever line of American Girl dolls. They have $150 and one day to complete the challenge.

Each designer must find their muse in Washington Square Park and convince a stranger to undergo a complete makeover. They have $200 and two days to complete the challenge.

The designers are tasked to use New York City itself as the inspiration for a street chic look. They have $200 and two days to complete their garments. Later, they are given a second challenge of redesigning a another contestant's losing look into a new outfit with a budget of $100.

16 new designers arrive in New York City to compete to be the 16th winner of Project Runway. For their first challenge, the designers must create a red carpet look that showcases their fashion point-of- view. But the real surprise comes when the designers learn they will be working with models of all sizes this season. They have $300 and one day to complete their garments.

In three teams, the designers are asked to create a high fashion, five-look collection out of recycled materials. They have one day to complete the challenge.

After attending a screening of the film Leap! and a performance by Hiplet, the designers must create a fashionable look inspired by dance, movement and innovation. They have $200 and one day to complete the challenge.

Drawing inspiration from the film Descendants 2, the designers are tasked with creating a look that represents either "Good" or "Evil." They have $300 and two days to complete the challenge.

With the models as their clients, the designers are asked to create a street style look for them. They have $200 and one day to complete the challenge.

Working in pairs, the designers must use men's fabrics and styles to create a fashion-forward Fall outfit for their female models. They have $100 per team for supplemental fabric and one day to complete the challenge.

The designers are tasked with creating their own fabric to make an on-the-go look for friends and family of the Project Runway crew. They have $150 for supplemental fabric and two days to complete the challenge.

The designers are asked to create an avant-garde look inspired by Shopkins Shoppies characters. They have $300 and one day to complete the challenge.

The designers must use safety materials to create runway-ready looks that "do not conform to the rules." They have one day to complete the challenge.

The designers must create looks inspired by "Warrior Women" — women who have battled breast cancer. They have $250 and two days to complete the challenge.

The runway is converted into a Winter Wonderland as the designers are tasked with creating a winter-themed look. They have $400 and two days to complete the challenge.

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