No. of episodes 14 No. of contestants 17 Number of episodes 14 | No. of tasks 12 Air date July 29, 2010 Country of origin United States of America | |
 | ||
Original release July 29 – October 28, 2010 Winner | ||
Project runway season 8 runway finale
Project Runway Season 8 is the eighth season of the television show Project Runway. The season began airing on July 29, 2010, on the Lifetime. After Lifetime cancelled the accompanying series Models of the Runway, Project Runway episodes were extended to 90 minutes in Season 8. This was the first season that episodes were longer than an hour with commercials.
Contents
- Project runway season 8 runway finale
- Challenges
- Episode 1 And Sew It Begins
- Episode 2 Larger Than Life
- Episode 3 Its a Party
- Episode 4 Hats Off to You
- Episode 5 There IS an I in Team
- Episode 6 You Can Totally Wear That Again
- Episode 7 Whats Mine Is Yours
- Episode 8 A Rough Day on the Runway
- Episode 9 Race to the Finish
- Episode 10 Theres a Pattern Here
- Episode 11 A Look in the Line
- Episode 12 Were in a New York State of Mind
- Episode 13 Finale Part 1
- Episode 14 Finale Part 2
- References
The season included 17 designers at the beginning of the competition. Returning as judges were supermodel Heidi Klum; fashion designer Michael Kors; and Marie Claire fashion director, Nina Garcia. Tim Gunn returned as the workroom mentor to the aspiring designers. Designer Gretchen Jones was the season's winner.
April Johnson, Michael Costello and Mondo Guerra later appeared in Project Runway: All Stars in 2012, with April receiving 10th Place, Michael 3rd, and Mondo winning the competition. Peach Carr, Carlos Casanova and Ivy Higa in the same year, competed in the second season of the All Stars edition placing 13th, 7th and 5th respectively. Andy South (using the name Ari post-transitioning) competed in the third season in 2013, where she was eliminated first, placing 11th. Valerie Mayen competed in the fifth season in 2016, placing 9th.
Challenges
Designer legend
Designer legend
Episode 1: And Sew It Begins
Original Airdate: July 29, 2010
As the season begins and the designers arrive to New York, they are informed that they are not yet part of season 8. For the final stage of their casting session, they are asked to take an article of clothing from their suitcase and incorporate it into their final design. But as Heidi Klum and Tim 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.
Episode 2: Larger Than Life
Original Airdate: August 5, 2010
The designers were asked to design a look exemplifying what they thought was the vibe of Marie Claire magazine. The winner of the challenge would have his or her look put on a billboard in Times Square to advertise Marie Claire. 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. Gretchen's winning design was modeled by Coco Rocha for the finished billboard.
Episode 3: It's a Party
Original Airdate: August 12, 2010
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. Some time after the runway show and elimination, Ivy passed out and was taken to the emergency room by ambulance.
Episode 4: Hats Off to You
Original Airdate: August 19, 2010
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.
Episode 5: There IS an 'I' in Team
Original Airdate: August 26, 2010
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.
1Team members are listed in the order chosen. Michael C. is chosen first for his team because of his win the previous week. April is selected randomly. Each team member selects the next member.
On the runway, Team Military and Lace is declared the winning team. The judges declared the pieces made by Casanova and Peach as their favorites. Heidi polled the six designers on that team, asking who should win; both Casanova and Peach receive mentions.
Team "Luxe" (Menswear and Camel) is declared the losing team. When asked who should be sent home, the designers focus on Michael C., who is immune from elimination because he won the previous challenge. When Heidi asks who from among the five non-immune designers should be sent home, while Gretchen, Andy, Ivy, and Christopher all named Michael C., AJ names himself, saying that he did not bring his "fun and unusual style" to the collection. The judges note that Gretchen contradicted herself in front of them, first saying she and the rest of the team stood behind their collection, then later saying it was "crappy" after the judges expressed dissatisfaction.
After A.J. is eliminated, Tim Gunn expresses his anger at Team Luxe's behavior on the runway, criticizing the team for "allowing Gretchen to manipulate, control, and bully" them.
Episode 6: You Can Totally Wear That Again
Original Airdate: September 2, 2010
Working with real women who were bridesmaids as models for this challenge, the designers must transform their models' bridesmaids dresses into wearable fashion. Prior to the runway show, a public showcase of the designs is held at which participants can vote for their favorite designs. Mondo's garment receives the most votes. Gretchen and Ivy again criticize Michael C., with Ivy claiming that Michael C. told guests not to vote for Ivy's garment.
Episode 7: What's Mine Is Yours
Original Airdate: September 9, 2010
While on a boat ride with Michael Kors 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:Valerie - AndyMichael C. - MondoApril - ChristopherCasanova - GretchenIvy - Michael D.Episode 8: A Rough Day on the Runway
Original Airdate: September 16, 2010
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.
Episode 9: Race to the Finish
Original Airdate: September 23, 2010
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. This is the first time in the history of Project Runway that the winner of a challenge has received a cash prize.
Episode 10: There's a Pattern Here
Original Airdate: September 30, 2010
The designers are given the challenge to create a textile design based on a profound moment or time in their lives. Their design will be converted into fabric that the designers have to use to make a garment of their choosing. The challenge is interrupted when the designers' loved ones make a surprise visit and work is suspended for the rest of the day. Emotions are high for most contestants after their family visits, particularly Valerie and Mondo. Seeing her mother distracted Valerie for the rest of the challenge, and her lack of inspiration and innovation landed her in the bottom. The episode is best remembered for Mondo as he struggles with a secret he has been keeping for ten years—that he is HIV positive—which he incorporates into his design and reveals during the runway show.
Episode 11: A Look in the Line
Original Airdate: October 7, 2010
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. Ivy accuses Michael C. of cheating on a previous challenge; Tim Gunn dispels the accusations. After the runway show, Heidi announces that all three of Andy's looks will be produced and sold, not just one as previously announced.
Episode 12: We're in a New York State of Mind
Original Airdate: October 14, 2010
Michael Bloomberg, the Mayor of the City of New York, gives the remaining five contestants the challenge of creating a look inspired by New York City itself. Four designers will prepare their line for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and return to New York where three of the designers will compete as Project Runway finalists.
Episode 13: Finale, Part 1
Original Airdate: October 21, 2010
The four 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. Based on the showing of that line, three designers are chosen to continue and display their entire lines at Fashion Week.
Episode 14: Finale, Part 2
Original Airdate: October 28, 2010