Season 7 of Project Runway premieres with sixteen new designers, who will try to make their way to Bryant Park to show their collections at Fashion Week. The contestants are asked to create a garment that represents who they are as a designer. They must choose five fabrics from a wide selection provided by Mood and have one day to complete their look.

The designers must create a party look from a burlap potato sack for their model/clients. They are given the raw materials and have one day to complete the challenge.

After being taken to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for inspiration from famous designers, the contestants are then divided into teams of two. The challenge is to create a high-end signature look worthy of a master collection. They have $500 and two days to complete their looks. The next day, they are given the additional task of creating a second "look for less," using only 10% of the budget for the first garment and inspired by the look being crafted by another team.

The designers are asked to design a look for a Fashion Week gala featuring the color red and elements of Campbell's Soup branding. They have $100 and one day to finish the design.

The designers must create a look to be worn by Heidi Klum on the cover of Marie Claire magazine. They have $150 and one day to complete the challenge.

The designers must design an outfit for a child model. They have $50 and one day to complete their looks. The next morning, Tim gives them the additional task of designing a companion outfit for their adult models. They are given an additional $100 and one more day to complete the challenge.

The designers get the task of creating an unconventional, innovative look and a matching accessory from materials found at a hardware store. They have $150 and one day to complete the challenge.

The designers are asked to create a look inspired by one of the four classical elements (Earth, Water, Air, and Fire). They have $150 and one day to complete their garments.

Working in teams of two, the designers must create a day look and an evening look after finding inspiration in iconic neighborhoods of New York (Harlem, Upper East Side, Chinatown, and East Village). They have $300 and one day to complete the challenge.

The contestants must craft a red carpet design for Heidi Klum. They have $300 and one day to complete their looks.

The designers are asked to create a high-end look inspired by the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. They have $300 and two days to complete their outfits.

Each of the remaining designers is given four months 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, two designers must compete head-to-head for the last spot in the finale.

In the conclusion of the finale, the remaining contestants ready their collections for the runway. Then they present their lines to industry insiders at Fashion Week.