Each of the remaining designers is given six weeks and $9000 to design a 10-piece collection for Fashion Week, including one look made of unconventional materials. In the interim, each gets a special visit in their hometown from Tim Gunn. Back in New York, three designers 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.
The contestants head to Coney Island for their next challenge. In teams of two, they first must give away frozen yogurt treats to locals to elicit buzzwords to use as a theme for their garments. Then, they must pay $100 from their accounts for access to the carnival games which will provide the materials they are to use. They have one day to complete their looks.
15 new, and one returning, contestants begin the battle to win Project Runway's twelfth season. This season incorporates some new changes including the "Tim Gunn Save," the anonymous runway show, and a $4000 spending account allowing the designers to set their own challenge budgets. For their first task, the designers must create an outfit that shows their point-of-view using parachute materials. They have two days to complete their looks.