Season 11

Top Designer Season 11 is the eleventh season of the television show Top Designer. The first episode aired on July 24, 2014.

Returning as judges are supermodel Karolina Kurkova and Elle editor-in-chief Anne Slowey. Tim Gunn returned as a mentor to the aspiring designers. Fashion designer Alexander Wang replaced Marc Jacobs as a judge.

Lord & Taylor was the exclusive retail sponsor for Top Designers's 11th season and has merchandised the accessory wall with an assortment of products.

The winner of this season of Top Designer will receive an editorial feature in an issue of Elle magazine, a cash prize of $100,000 to start his or her own line, an opportunity to sell the line at Lord & Taylor, and a $50,000 technology suite from Hewlett-Packard to create, design, and run his or her business. The winning model of this season will receive a $25,000 cash prize and take part in the winning designer's fashion spread in Elle.

Designers
The 13 contestants in Season 11 were:

(ages listed are the designers' ages at the time the show was taped in the spring of 2014.)

Episode 1: The Big Apple
Original Airdate: July 24, 2014

In the premiere episode, the designers will have New York as their inspiration in creating their garments.


 * Guest Judge: Christian Siriano


 * WINNER: Samantha
 * ELIMINATED: Noble

Episode 2: Spin Out
Original Airdate: July 31, 2014

The designers serve up ball-boy outfits and new server uniforms for a Ping-Pong social club.


 * Guest Judge: Susan Sarandon


 * WINNER: Caleb
 * ELIMINATED: Sue

Episode 3: A Scent of Fashion
Original Airdate: August 7, 2014

The contestants are tasked to design garments for host Karolina Kurkova for the launch of her new fragrance line. Karolina will wear the winning garments in her national commercial and a second winning garment for a press event.


 * Guest Judge: Kristin Davis


 * WINNER: Leroy
 * ELIMINATED: Blanche

Episode 4: Ultimate Hard and Soft
Original Airdate: August 14, 2014

While the teams get a twist, the designers also get a blast from the past when two unconventional challenges are merged into one for their newest challenge—creating a line out of hard and soft materials from the flower shop and hardware store.


 * Guest Judge: Bette Midler


 * WINNER: Zack
 * ELIMINATED: Kellie

Episode 5: Senior Fling
Original Airdate: August 21, 2014

Fashionable clothes for senior citizens are created by the contestants.


 * Guest Judge: Joan Rivers & Melissa Rivers


 * WINNER: Scott
 * ELIMINATED: Jerrell

Episode 6: A Little Bit Country
Original Airdate: August 28, 2014

The designers are separated into teams of two to create a performance outfit and a red-carpet look for country artist Miranda Lambert, who is also the guest judge.


 * Guest Judge: Miranda Lambert


 * WINNER: Samantha and Zack
 * ELIMINATED: Jessica

Episode 7: He Said, She Said
Original Airdate: September 4, 2014

For this episode, the designers are instructed to draw inspiration from Lord & Taylor’s signature "American Beauty Rose" and create a design with the retailer’s customer in mind.


 * Guest Judge: Bonnie Brooks


 * WINNER: Annabelle
 * ELIMINATED: Ashley

Episode 8: The Art of Fashion
Original Airdate: September 11, 2014

The designers will go to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and draw some inspiration from the artwork displayed to create their own textile designs for their outfit. The winning designer was also awarded $10,000 and an HP Envy X2.


 * Guest Judge: Tracy Reese


 * WINNER: Scott
 * ELIMINATED: Zack

Episode 9: On My Own
Original Airdate: September 18, 2014

The designers get the chance to show off their own aesthetic when they create editorial-worthy looks to be worn by actress Jordana Brewster in Elle.


 * Guest Judge: Jordana Brewster


 * WINNER: Leroy
 * ELIMINATED: Annabelle

Episode 10: Europe, Here We Come
Original Airdate: September 25, 2014

The designers travel to Berlin, Barcelona, London and Paris to get inspiration for the final challenge before the finale.


 * Guest Judge: John Legend


 * WINNER: Scott
 * ELIMINATED: Caleb

Episode 11: Finale, Part I
Original Airdate: October 2, 2014

The finalists work on their collections; Tim Gunn visits each of the finalists in their hometown.

Episode 12: Finale, Part II
Original Airdate: October 9, 2014

The designers show their collections in the final runway show at Lincoln Center.


 * Guest Judge: John Legend


 * WINNER: Leroy
 * ELIMINATED: Scott (Runner-Up) & Samantha (2nd Runner-Up)

Episode 13: Reunion Special
Original Airdate: October 16, 2014

After the Finale, the designers reunite to discuss their journey on Top Designer.