Season 17

Top Designer Season 17 is the seventeenth season of the television show Top Designer, appearing on Lifetime. The season began airing on January 3, 2019 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.

28-year-old Oscar Vargas is the first winner in the history of Top Designer to have never won a challenge during the competition.

Episode 1: Starting with a Bang
Original airdate: January 3, 2019

The twelve designer arrive at Universal Studios where they see stunt men working and objects blown up. They are then told they must design an outfit showcasing who they are as a designer but in a post apocalyptic world.


 * WINNER: Blaine
 * ELIMINATED: Leslie

Episode 2: Another Man's Trash
Original airdate: January 10, 2019

The designers must raid a thrift-shop-store to create a garment ready for the red carpet. The designers had to use three original garments for their final look.


 * WINNER: Charlene
 * ELIMINATED: Darnell

Episode 3: Double the Trouble
Original airdate: January 17, 2019

The designers must work in teams of two to create unique looks for identical twin sisters. The designs must not look the same, but carry a cohesion.
 * Charlene and Ernestine
 * Blaine and Leona
 * Edison and Oscar
 * Naomi & Reuben
 * Audrey & Jimmy


 * WINNER: Leona
 * ELIMINATED: Jimmy

Episode 4: It's Looking Dark
Original airdate: January 24, 2019

The remaining nine designers must create show stopping looks for a gallery opening using only black.


 * WINNER: Naomi
 * ELIMINATED: Charlene

Episode 5: Rising to the Top
Original airdate: January 31, 2019

The remaining eight designers must create garments using materials found in a bakery.


 * WINNER: Leona
 * ELIMINATED: Edison

Episode 6: Center Stage
Original airdate: February 7, 2019

The seven designers remaining are challenged to create a look for singer and actress Zandaya.


 * WINNER: Audrey
 * ELIMINATED: Reuben

Episode 7: Mix & Match
Original airdate: February 14, 2019

Tim Gunn announces his comeback contestants. The designers must then work in teams of three and four to create a mini-collection using prints. The designers have to incorporate two different prints in their final look.
 * Audrey, Oscar, Blaine, Edison
 * Leona, Naomi, Ernestine


 * TIM GUNN COMEBACK: Edison
 * WINNER: Ernestine
 * ELIMINATED: Edison

Episode 8: What's Your Story?
Original airdate: February 21, 2019

The remaining six designers must create an avant-garde look inspired by a personal memory.


 * WINNER: Blaine
 * ELIMINATED: Audrey

Episode 9: The Price is Right
Original airdate: February 28, 2019

The remaining five designers must create a high-end look on a budget.


 * WINNER: Ernestine
 * ELIMINATED: Blaine

Episode 10: Finale, Part 1
Original airdate: March 7, 2019

The reamaining four designers showcase three of their finale looks. One designer is eliminated.


 * ADVANCED TO FASHION WEEK: Ernestine, Leona, Oscar
 * ELIMINATED: Naomi

Episode 11: Finale, Part 2
Original airdate: March 14, 2019

The final three designers showcase their collections at New York Fashion Week. One designer is declared Top Designer.


 * TOP DESIGNER: Oscar
 * ELIMINATED: Ernestine (Runner-Up) and Leona (2nd Runner-Up)