Season 12

Top Designer Season 12 is the twelfth season of the television show Top Designer, appearing on Lifetime. The season began airing on August 6, 2015 with 14 designers competing to become "the next great American designer."

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

Belk was the exclusive retail sponsor for Top Designer's 12th season and has merchandised the accessory wall with an assortment of products.

This season introduced the "Tim Gunn Save", where Tim Gunn could save an eliminated designer from leaving the competition.

Designers
The 14 contestants in Season 12 were:

(ages listed are the designers' ages at the time the show was taped in the spring of 2015.)

Season 12 Challenges

 * In Episode 8, all the designers were told none of them had low scores. The bottom three were not seen as bad designs, just not the best.
 * In Episode 12, Karolina said there would be no winner, because all of the designs were winner worthy. One by one the designers were called safe and told they received a high score. Aaron was left standing, and as he thought he would be eliminated, Karolina announced he also had a high score and would proceed.
 * In Episode 13, the designers showed three looks from their finale-collection. Courtney, Tiara and Aaron advanced to fashion week. Ivy was eliminated.

Episode 1: Sky's The Limit
Original Airdate: August 6, 2015

In the Season 12 opener, the designers arrive on an airport runway and then must create looks from parachute materials.


 * Guest Judge: Kate Bosworth


 * WINNER: Aaron
 * ELIMINATED: Jeremiah

Episode 2: Million Dollar Runway
Original Airdate: August 13, 2015

Designers create looks paired with precious jewels.


 * Guest Judge: Eric Daman


 * WINNER: Ashlyn
 * ELIMINATED: Velvet

Episode 3: Tie the Knot
Original Airdate: August 20, 2015

The contestants must create a look incorporating bow ties provided by Tie The Knot organization.


 * Guest Judge: Jesse Tyler Ferguson


 * WINNER: Mona
 * ELIMINATED: Benjamin

Episode 4: Let's Go Glamping!
Original Airdate: August 27, 2015

The designers go on a luxury overnight camping trip, with campsite surroundings serving as style inspirations for this challenge.


 * Guest Judge: Allison Williams


 * WINNER: Aaron
 * ELIMINATED: Ralph

Episode 5: An Unconventional Island
Original Airdate: September 3, 2015

Working in pairs, designers must give away samples of frozen yogurt while asking the samplers for words to describe the yogurt. The pairs must choose three of the words as inspiration for their designs and then create an outfit using unconventional materials won by playing carnival games at Coney Island.

TEAMS
 * 1) Courtney and Michelle
 * 2) Aaron and Tiara
 * 3) Edmund and Mona
 * 4) Ashlyn and Fred
 * 5) Ivy and Oliver


 * Guest Judge: Kelly Osbourne


 * WINNER: Ivy
 * ELIMINATED: Fred

Episode 6: Shoes First
Original Airdate: September 10, 2015

The designers have to create a look inspired by shoes from the Marie Claire shoe closet.


 * Guest Judge: Kaley Cuoco & Anne Fulenwider


 * WINNER: Courtney
 * ELIMINATED: Michelle

Episode 7: Having a Field Day
Original Airdate: September 17, 2015

The designers have to create a high-end performance wear for Heidi Klum's New Balance line, but the challenge time is not the same for everyone as they have to display their athleticism skills to earn some extra working time.


 * Guest Judge: Heidi Klum


 * WINNER: Edmund
 * ELIMINATED: Ashlyn

Episode 8: Let's Do Brunch
Original Airdate: September 24, 2015

The designers have to create a vibrant look for the Belk shopper, a modern southern woman. The winning look will be sold in Belk Shops and online.


 * Guest Judge: Stacy Keibler & John Thomas


 * WINNER: Courtney
 * ELIMINATED: Mona

Episode 9: Top Designer SuperFan!
Original Airdate: September 24, 2015

The designers have to create a look for the Top Designer SuperFan!


 * Guest Judge: Erin Fetherston


 * WINNER: Courtney
 * ELIMINATED: No one (Edmund was originally eliminated, but was saved by Tim Gunn.)

Episode 10: Choose Your Materials!
Original Airdate: October 1, 2015

The designers have to use items from two of three retailers as their material to create a luxurious collection. The stores were a vintage wallpaper store, a party supply/homewares store, and a food market.


 * Guest Judge: June Ambrose


 * WINNER: Tiara
 * ELIMINATED: Oliver

Episode 11: Next Generation...
Original Airdate: October 8, 2015

The designers get their inspiration from young next generation personalities, who are making a difference.


 * Guest Judge: Peter Som


 * WINNER: Aaron
 * ELIMINATED: Edmund

Episode 12: Butterfly Effect
Original Airdate: October 15, 2015

In a fashion test, they must take a risk and spin out an avant-garde look inspired by butterflies.


 * Guest Judge: Emmy Rossum


 * WINNER: No One
 * ELIMINATED: No One

Episode 13: Finale, Part 1
Original Airdate: October 22, 2015

In Part 1 of the two-part Season 12 finale, the remaining designers journey home to work on their lines, with Tim Gunn paying them visits.


 * Guest Judge: None


 * ADVANCED: Aaron, Courtney, Tiara
 * ELIMINATED: Ivy

Episode 14: Finale, Part 2
Original Airdate: October 29, 2015

The designers show their finale collections at New York Fashion Week.
 * WINNER: Tiara
 * ELIMINATED: Courtney (Runner-Up) and Aaron (2nd Runner-Up)