Season 18

Top Designer Season 18 is the eighteenth season of the television show Top Designer, appearing on Lifetime. The season began airing on February 4, 2021 with 14 designers competing to become "the next great American designer."

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

Aldo was the exclusive retail sponsor for Top Designer's 13th season and has merchandised the accessory wall with an assortment of products.

Designers
The 14 contestants in Season 18 were:

Episode 1: Dive Into the Deep End
Original Airdate: February 4, 2021

The fourteen designers are thrown into the deep end - literally. They must dive into a pool and pick out water-resistant fabric to create a beach party look while showing who they are as designers.


 * WINNER: Gregorio
 * ELIMINATED: Jacob

Episode 2: Jumpin' Jumpin'
Original Airdate: February 11, 2021

The thirteen remaining designers must create costumes for the New York City gymnastics team.


 * WINNER: Salman
 * ELIMINATED: Serafina

Episode 3: Mad Men
Original Airdate: February 18, 2021

The designers must work in pairs to create a modern couple inspired by the 1960's. The pairings were Salman & Simon, Beattie & Molly, Chidera & Sean, Gregorio & Laura, Arabella & Peter, Isaiah & Yuki.


 * WINNER: Molly
 * ELIMINATED: Peter

Episode 4: Like An Open Book
Original Airdate: February 25, 2021

The remaining eleven designers must create red carpet fashion created from materials found at a Barnes & Nobles-store.


 * WINNER: Yuki
 * ELIMINATED: Sean

Episode 5: Smoking Hot
Original Airdate: March 4, 2021

The designers must create sexy lingerie with a tear-away ready-to-wear outfit.


 * WINNER: Beattie
 * ELIMINATED: Isaiah

Episode 6: It's About Time
Original Airdate: March 11, 2021

The remaining nine designers are split into teams of three, where they must complete a ready-to-wear mini-collection inspired by the The Past, The Present and The Future. The Past was created by leader Chidera with members Laura and Salman, The Present was created by leader Beattie with members Simon and Arabella, and the future was created by leader Molly with members Gregorio and Yuki.


 * WINNER: Molly
 * ELIMINATED: Chidera

Episode 7: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Original Airdate: March 18, 2021

The eight designers are split into two teams. Team Good consisting of Salman, Beattie, Gregorio and Simon and Team Bad consisting of Molly, Arabella, Yuki and Laura. They must create avant-garde outfits wishing their theme.


 * WINNER: Gregorio
 * ELIMINATED: Laura

Episode 8: The Streets of NYC
Original Airdate: March 25, 2021

The remaining seven designers must find women of the street of New York City and give them a makeover. This was the Aldo-challenge.


 * WINNER: Arabella
 * ELIMINATED: Beattie

Episode 9: Me, Myself & I
Original Airdate: April 1, 2021

The six competing designers must create a high end look using their own created textiles that tells a personal story.


 * WINNER: Gregorio
 * ELIMINATED: Salman

Episode 10: Dripping in Diamonds
Original Airdate: April 8, 2021

For their final challenge before Fashion Week, the five remaining designers must create a red carpet look incorporating diamonds.


 * WINNER: Arabella
 * ELIMINATED: Simon

Episode 11: Finale Part 1
Original Airdate: April 15, 2021


 * ADVANCED: Arabella, Gregorio, Molly, Yuki
 * ELIMINATED: None

Episode 11: Finale Part 2
Original Airdate: April 22, 2021


 * TOP DESIGNER: Molly
 * ELIMINATED: Gregorio (Runner-Up), Yuki (2nd Runner-Up) & Arabella (3rd Runner-Up)