Season 8

Top Designer Season 8 is the eight season of the television show Top Designer. The first episode aired on January 5, 2012.

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

Unlike the previous season there was no returning designer from a previous season.

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 on Bluefly.com, 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 16 contestants in Season 8 were:

(ages listed are the designers' ages at the time the show was taped in the fall of 2011.)

Season 8 Challenges

 * In Episode 3, Yvone was told her outfit was one of the worst the judges had ever seen on the show, and had she not had immunity, she probably would be going home.
 * In Episode 3 both Irving and Robyn were declared as the winners of the challenge, but neither of them would receive immunity for the next challenge.
 * In Episode 7, Karolina told the designers, the judges were very disappointed. Daryl was the clear winner, and a number of the designers where in the bottom. Daryl also won the last immunity.

Episode 1: And Sew It Begins
Original Airdate: January 5, 2012

As the season begins and the designers arrive to New York, they are to take an article of clothing from their suitcase and incorporate it into their final design. But as K arolina Kurkova and T im Gunn stand before the designers (who were all lined up in a straight line), they tell each of them to pass their article of clothing to the designer standing to their right. After collecting their garments, the designers go off to Parson's School of Design  to complete their first runway show.


 * Guest Judge: Selma Blair


 * WINNER: Katie
 * ELIMINATED: Rodney

Episode 2: Larger Than Life
Original Airdate: January 12, 2012

The designers were asked to design a look exemplifying what they thought was the vibe of Elle  magazine. The winner of the challenge would have his or her look put on a billboard in Times Square  to advertise  Elle. As part of the process, each designer and model was taken to a photo shoot to have their look photographed to get a feel of what it would look like in print.


 * Guest Judge: Joanna Coles


 * WINNER: Yvone
 * ELIMINATED: Cheryl

Episode 3: It's a Party
Original Airdate: January 19, 2012

The designers are asked to create a look made from materials found at Party Glitters, a party supply store in New York City. Toward the end of the challenge, they must also make an accessory using additional party materials.


 * Guest Judge: Betsey Johnson


 * WINNER: Irving & Robyn
 * ELIMINATED: Elena

Episode 4: Hats Off to You
Original Airdate: January 26, 2012

The designers must create outfits to pair with a unique, avant garde Philip Treacy hat. The models are each randomly assigned a hat, and the designers can select their model based on the hat she has.


 * Guest Judge: Philip Treacy


 * WINNER: Robyn 
 * ELIMINATED: Joe

Episode 5: There IS an 'I' in Team
Original Airdate: February 2, 2012

The designers are split into two teams of six, and each team is asked to design a six-piece collection for Fall 2010. Each team must select one concept and one textile of choice for their inspiration, and are given $1,000 to shop at Mood and one day to complete the challenge. Team members are listed in the order chosen. Robyn is chosen first for his team because of ger win the previous week. Gregory is selected randomly. Each team member selects the next member.


 * Guest Judge: Georgina Chapman


 * WINNER: Janice 
 * ELIMINATED: Chi

Episode 6: Never The Bride
Original Airdate: February 9, 2012

Working with real women who were bridesmaids as models for this challenge, the designers must transform their models' bridesmaids dresses into wearable fashion.


 * Guest Judge: Cynthia Rowley


 * WINNER: Frank
 * ELIMINATED: Angele

Episode 7: What's Mine Is Yours
Original Airdate: February 16, 2012

While on a boat ride with Marc Jacobs on the East River, the designers receive their next challenge: to create a fashionable resort wear look in one day. After sketching their designs and shopping for fabric, they are told that they will actually be working in randomly selected teams of two, with each designer executing their teammate's design.

Teams:
 * Frank & Robyn
 * Irving & Lela
 * Daryl & Katie
 * Erasmo & Janice
 * Gregory & Yvone


 * Guest Judge: Kristen Bell


 * WINNER: Daryl
 * ELIMINATED: Erasmo & Lela

Episode 8: Rough Day on the Runway
Original Airdate: February 23, 2012

The designers are told to design a look that is their own take on classic American sportswear using the style of Jacqueline Kennedy as inspiration. After they have nearly finished their garment, they are told they have an additional day to work to create a companion outerwear item.


 * Guest Judge: January Jones


 * WINNER: Robyn
 * ELIMINATED: Frank

Episode 9: Race to the Finish
Original Airdate: March 1, 2012

The designers must create a high fashion look for a L'Oreal advertorial, using one of the L'Oreal eye shadow finishes as an inspiration. Designers pick the finish of their choice. Halfway through the challenge, they are told they must also create a companion ready to wear look. The winner receives $20,000.


 * Guest Judge: Naeem Khan


 * WINNER: Daryl
 * ELIMINATED: Janice

Episode 10: I See a Pattern
Original Airdate: March 8, 2012

The designers must create a high fashion look for a L'Oreal advertorial, using one of the L'Oreal eye shadow finishes as an inspiration. Designers pick the finish of their choice. Halfway through the challenge, they are told they must also create a companion ready to wear look. The winner receives $20,000.


 * Guest Judge: Rachel Roy


 * WINNER: Yvone
 * ELIMINATED: Katie

Episode 11: Look in the Line
Original Airdate: March 15, 2012

The six remaining contestants are given the challenge of designing a look for Heidi Klum's New Balance active wear line in two days. The winning look will be designed and sold on Amazon.com. On the first day, however, Heidi increases the number of looks to three, and the six most recently eliminated contestants are brought back to help the designers.


 * Guest Judge: Heidi Klum


 * WINNER: Irving
 * ELIMINATED: Yvone

Episode 12: New York State of Mind
Original Airdate: March 22, 2012

Michael Bloomberg, the Mayor of the City of New York, gives the remaining four contestants the challenge of creating a look inspired by New York City itself.


 * Guest Judge: Christian Siriano


 * WINNER: Daryl
 * ELIMINATED: Gregory

Episode 13: Finale, Part I
Original Airdate: March 29, 2012

The three remaining designers are given six weeks and $9000 and return to their homes to prepare a ten-piece line, knowing that only three of them will ultimately be chosen to show at Fashion Week. A month later, Tim Gunn visits each designer to check on their progress. When the designers return to New York on the eve of Fashion Week, they are given two days to create one additional look to show as part of a mini-line consisting of that look and two of their existing pieces.

Episode 14: Finale, Part II
Original Airdate: April 5, 2012


 * WINNER: Robyn
 * ELIMINATED: Irving (Runner-Up) & Daryl (2nd Runner-Up)