Season 16

Top Designer Season 16 is the sixteenth season of the television show Top Designer, appearing on Lifetime. The season began airing on August 16, 2018 with 12 designers competing to become "the next great American designer."

Returning as judges are supermodel Karolina Kurkova, fashion designer, Alexander Wang, Marie Claire creative director, Nina Garcia and fashion designer and stylist Kelly Osbourne. Tim Gunn returned as a mentor to the aspiring designers and also was invited to the runway.

The "Tim Gunn Comeback", where Tim Gunn had to bring back and eliminated contestant half way though the competition, appeared again.

Aldo was the exclusive retail sponsor for Top Designer's 16th season and has merchandised the accessory wall with an assortment of products.

This is also the first season with an all female group of finalists.

Episode 1: Run For Your Fashion
Original airdate: August 16, 2018

The designers were told that their first challenge would involve using materials draped around the entrance of Parson's New School of Design to create a glamorous evening dress that represented who they were as a designer. They were also told that the school was located 10 miles away and that the first person to reach there would get the best pick of materials.


 * WINNER: Pauline
 * ELIMINATED: Micah

Episode 2: Where New Yorkers Summer
Original airdate: August 23, 2018

In this episode, Tim brought the designers to the beach to draw inspiration from the beach for the New York lifestyle of hanging out at the Hamptons and partying at bars in the night. The designers had to create a garment that was versatile enough to be used at the beach and at the bar as well.


 * WINNER: Tavana
 * ELIMINATED: Anna

Episode 3: Race to the Runway
Original airdate: August 30, 2018

The designers would be getting their materials out of the back of the cars. With these, they had to make a sporty, yet racy separates garment from the car parts found in the back of the car.

The pairs were:
 * Kasia and Zhu
 * Orson and Sebastian
 * Daniel and Troy
 * Levi and Tavana
 * Monika and Pauline


 * WINNER: Monika & Pauline
 * ELIMINATED: Kasia

Episode 4: Second-Hand Red Carpet
Original airdate: September 6, 2018

The designers find women on the street to get clothes off their back to create glamorous red carpet ready looks.


 * WINNER: Pauline
 * ELIMINATED: Orson

Episode 5: Let's All Work Together
Original airdate: September 13, 2018

The designers must create a mini-collection inspired by the 60's.


 * WINNER: Zhu
 * ELIMINATED: Tavana & Troy

Episode 6: White Christmas
Original airdate: September 20, 2018

The remaining designers create winter-wear using only white fabrics. After the elimination the episode ended in a cliff-hanger with Tim Gunn about to reveal his "Tim Gunn Comeback".


 * WINNER: Daniel
 * ELIMINATED: Levi

Episode 7: The Price is Right
Original airdate: September 27, 2018

The designers must create an outfit to match Aldo Shoes, and they have to work on a budget.


 * TIM GUNN COMEBACK: Levi
 * WINNER: Levi
 * ELIMINATED: Sebastian

Episode 8: The Happiest Day in a Life
Original airdate: September 4, 2018

The designers create wedding dresses, and half-way through it is announced they also have to create a bridesmaid dress.


 * WINNER: Zhu
 * ELIMINATED: Levi

Episode 9: Finale, Part 1
Original airdate: October 11, 2018

The final four designers showcase three of their collection looks to the judges. One designer is eliminated.


 * ADVANCED TO FASHION WEEK: Monika, Pauline, Zhu
 * ELIMINATED: Daniel

Episode 10: Finale, Part 2
Original airdate: October 18, 2018

The final three designers showcase their final collections at New York Fashion Week, and the Top Designer is declared.


 * WINNER OF Top Designer: Pauline
 * ELIMINATED: Monika (Runner-Up) & Zhu (2nd Runner-Up)