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.
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.