17 designers start a new season with a goal to reach New York Fashion Week and become the winner of Project Runway. For their first challenge, the designers are asked to incorporate an article of clothing taken from another designer's suitcase into a new garment of their own. They have access to additional fabric, but just five hours to finish their looks.

The designers have to create a fashion forward outfit representing the strong and practical Marie Claire woman. They have $150 and one day to complete their looks.

The designers have to create an outfit from materials obtained at a party supplies store. They have $100 and one day to complete the challenge.

The designers must each create an outfit to pair with a unique, avant-garde Philip Treacy hat. They have $150 and one day to complete the challenge.

The designers must create a fashionable look from a bridesmaid dress. They have $50 and one day to complete their transformations.

In teams of two, the designers are tasked to create a fashionable resort-wear look. However, they must make the outfit using their partner's design and fabric. They have $150 and one day to complete the challenge.

The designers must create fashionable American sportswear inspired by the style of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. Later, they are asked to create an outerwear companion item. They have $300 and two days to complete the challenge.

The designers must create a high-fashion look, and a ready-to-wear companion piece, that will feature in a L'Oreal Paris advertisement. They have $300 and two days to complete the challenge.

The contestants must create their own fabric designs for a look to be inspired by a moment from their past. They have $100 for supplemental fabric and two days to complete their garments.

The designers must create an outfit appropriate for Heidi Klum's New Balance activewear line. The winner of the challenge will have their design sold on Amazon. Later, Heidi increases the their workload to three outfits and provides additional help in the form of previously eliminated contestants. They have $300 and two days to complete their looks.

The designers must create a look inspired by New York City landmark locations. They have $500 and two days to complete their garments.

Each of the remaining designers is given six 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 are given two days to create one additional look to show as part of a mini-collection with two of their existing pieces 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. Then they present their lines to industry insiders at Fashion Week. Also includes a contestant reunion.