Season 14

Top Designer Season 14 is the fourteenth season of the television show Top Designer, appearing on Lifetime. The season began airing on April 13, 2017 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. 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.

An online vote was held to bring back a designer from the previous season, Season 13, as a redemption wildcard. The fans could vote for the designers who hadn't reached fashion week. On the first episode of the season, it was revealed that Christal McQueen had received the most votes, and she would join the competition.

Designers
The 14 contestants in Season 14 were:

Episode 1: Mad Dash Mayhew
Original Airdate: April 13, 2017

The fourteen designers of Top Designer Season 14 went to Madison Square Garden for their first challenge. They had to create a look that expressed themselves as designers using fabrics found around the arena.


 * Guest Judge: Hannah Davis


 * WINNER: Eldon
 * ELIMINATED: Bethany

Episode 2: It's All in the Cards
Original Airdate: April 20, 2017

The fifteen designers go to Hallmark where they have two minutes to choose as many Hallmark Signature cards as possible to create a look. They had to use the cards as their materials and their inspiration.


 * Guest Judge: Ashley Tisdale


 * WINNER: Tommie
 * ELIMINATED: Maya

Episode 3: Shut Up and Sew
Original Airdate: April 27, 2017

Global travel destinations and exotic locations inspire the designers (in teams of two) to create looks tailored for a day-to-night transition.


 * Guest Judge: Tracee Ellis Ross


 * WINNER: Christal and Eldon
 * ELIMINATED: Anita

Episode 4: Fashion Flip
Original Airdate: May 4, 2017

The designers visit Mood and put a modern twist on a classic design.


 * Guest Judge: Kiernan Shipka


 * WINNER: Tyler 
 * ELIMINATED: Shad

Episode 5: Lace To the Finish
Original Airdate: May 11, 2017

The designers are tasked to create lingerie for host Karolina Kurkova's fashion line.


 * Guest Judge: Bella Thorne


 * WINNER: Florencio
 * ELIMINATED: Camellia

Episode 6: Haute Tech Couture
Original Airdate: May 18, 2017

Fashion and technology collide when the designers seek recycled electronics in dumpsters in the season's second unconventional-materials challenge.


 * Guest Judge: Paula Patton & Anne Fulenwider


 * WINNER: Kristin
 * ELIMINATED: Santos

Episode 7: Broadway or Bust
Original Airdate: May 25, 2017

The magic of Broadway inspires the designers, who create stylish looks based on the musical "Finding Neverland".


 * Guest Judge: Coco Rocha


 * WINNER: Eldon
 * ELIMINATED: Alexander

Episode 8: Make It Sell
Original Airdate: June 1, 2017

The designers must create ready-to-wear looks to be reproduced and sold online; a disagreement between the judges leads to the most contentious runway yet.


 * Guest Judge: Ciara & Yuchin Mao


 * WINNER: Clara
 * ELIMINATED: Tyler (He was then saved by the "Tim Gunn Save".)

Episode 9: Crew's All In
Original Airdate: June 8, 2017

The designers must makeover real women from the "Top Designer" crew.


 * Guest Judge: Shiri Appleby & Constance Zimmer


 * WINNER: Kristin
 * ELIMINATED: Florencio

Episode 10: The Runway's in 3D!
Original Airdate: June 15, 2017

In a fashion-forward challenge, the designers use 3D-printing technology to create avant-garde styles.


 * Guest Judge: Mel B.


 * WINNER: Eldon
 * ELIMINATED: Christal

Episode 11: Roll Out the Red Carpet
Original Airdate: June 22, 2017

The designers land in Los Angeles to create red-carpet looks in the final challenge before Fashion Week.


 * Guest Judge: Christian Siriano


 * WINNER: Tyler
 * ELIMINATED: Tommie

Episode 12: Finale, Part 1
Original Airdate: June 29, 2017

In Part 1 of the two-part Season 14 finale, the designers journey home to create their collections and gear up for a visit from mentor Tim Gunn. They then return to New York, complete with a twist. One designer is eliminated.
 * ADVANCED TO FASHION WEEK: Clara, Eldon, Kristin
 * ELIMINATED: Tyler

Episode 13: Finale, Part 2
Original Airdate: July 6, 2017

Conclusion. The winning designer is crowned in the Season 14 finale. Before that, the designers scramble to retool their collections following a brutal critique with the judges.


 * Guest Judge: Carrie Underwood


 * WINNER of top Designer: Kristin
 * ELIMINATED: Eldon (Runner-Up), Clara (2nd Runner-Up)