Sixteen new contestants arrive in New York to become the next great designer. Before arriving in New York, they were asked to create an outfit at home that represents who they are as a designer. For their first challenge they must take that look and make a complementary outfit for it. They have $100 and one day to complete their garments.

The designers must create garments out of candy from Dylan's Candy Bar. They have $250 and one day to complete the challenge.

After being paired up, the designers must create a red-carpet look for a client to wear to the Emmy® Awards and whose color is inspired by a car. They have $300 and one day to complete their garments.

Michael Kors challenges the designers to create an outfit for a woman who is always on the go. They have $150 and one day to complete their looks.

After being split into two teams, the designers are tasked to create a mini-collection of cohesive looks for the "working woman." They have $200 per team member and one day to complete the challenge.

The designers are tasked to help real women by creating new outfits to accompany their new makeovers. They have $150 and one day to complete the challenge.

In teams of three, the designers are tasked to create two cohesive looks for fall including outerwear. But first they must sell handmade goods to people on the street to earn money for fabrics at Mood. They have one day to complete their garments.

The designers must create a modern look using fabrics that they create. They receive special visits from loved ones who provide inspiration for their textile design. They have $100 for additional fabric and two days to finish their garments.

The designers must create a costume for The Rockettes to wear during an upcoming appearance. They have $350 and two days to complete their looks.

The designers must create toddlers' outfits for Heidi Klum's Truly Scrumptious kid's line at Babies 'R' Us. Later, they are asked to also create a companion outfit for the toddlers' mothers. They have $150 and two days to complete the challenge.

The designers must create avant-garde looks using New York's Oheka Castle and L'Oreal's new Electric Fantasie makeup line as inspirations. They have $400 and two days to complete the challenge.

Each of the remaining designers is given five weeks and $9000 to design a 10-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 $300 to spend at Mood to finish their looks. Then they present their lines to industry insiders at Fashion Week.