The designers must work in teams of two to create looks for “mature” women, who also serve as their clients and models for this challenge. Joan and Melissa Rivers guest judge.
The large teams dissolve, and the designers are now asked to work in pairs. The teams must make two looks—one red carpet and one performance—for country music star Miranda Lambert.
As the designers face their final challenge before Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, they are tasked with their most difficult and creative challenge yet: making an avant-garde look inspired by L'Oreal's new line of makeup called “Electric Fantasie".
For Heidi's challenge, the designers arrive at Babies R Us where they learn that they will be designing an outfit for their youngest clients yet—babies! In a twist of fate, they are also made to take care of “real” babies: dolls that cry when they need to be changed, fed, or burped. And if that wasn't enough, Heidi throws another twist at the designers they also must create a complementary look for the baby's mom to wear.
The designers are treated to a show at Radio City Music Hall, where they learn that they will be designing an outfit for the world-famous Rockettes to wear in an upcoming performance.
For the HP Challenge, the designers must create their own textile and design a look that is representative of their heritage. They are surprised when a member of their family comes for a surprise visit and helps them with their inspiration.
For this challenge, the designers divided into teams of three, and they must raise their own shopping money by selling t-shirts and other designs on the streets of NYC. Once they have raised their money, they have to design a two-piece fall collection, and one look must include a piece of outerwear.
For the Lord and Taylor Challenge, the designers receive the opportunity to design a look for a capsule collection that celebrates ten seasons of Project Runway. If chosen as the winner, their look would join the ranks of many former Project Runway designers and winners, and it would be manufactured and sold at Lord and Taylor.
In a challenge for L'Oreal, the designers team up with clients whose friends or loved ones are in desperate need of a makeover. The designers must consult and work with their clients to give them a new and flattering look that is also conducive to their lifestyle.
In the Marie Claire Challenge, the designers are once again split off into teams to design a fashion capsule collection for the new magazine Marie Claire at Work. The teams also must direct a fashion shoot for their collection, which is also part of the criteria they are judged on for this challenge.
Tim Gunn travels to the finalists' homes to check in on their progress before they head back to NYC.
The judges challenge the designers to each create a mini-collection. Actress Zoe Saldana guest judges.
Exotic birds serve as the inspiration for this week's L'Oreal Challenge. The designers must really step up their game when Tim groups them into pairs and then tasks them to compete against each other. Francisco Costa guest judges.
For the Piperlime.com Challenge, the designers are going back in time. The 70's will serve as inspiration for this week's challenge.
The designers are treated to a special performance from their new client: an up-and-coming band. Broken into two teams of four, the designers are charged with creating looks that will establish them as image-makers.
When Heidi introduces nine men on the runway, the designers are stunned. But they quickly breathe a sigh of relief when Tim reveals that the men are not their models. Instead, they will be designing for their significant others! Actress Malin Akerman guest judges.
To the delight of the designers, the HP Create Your Own Fabric Challenge is back—with a twist! With the use of an HP Touchsmart, designers will work in two teams of five to create a cohesive collection. Armed with HP video cameras, they head out into the city to tell the story of what truly inspires them. Designer Rachel Roy and actress Rose Byrne guest judge.
The designers become students for a day when they are partnered with kids from Harlem School of the Arts to create a piece of art that will serve as the inspiration for their next garment. Kenneth Cole guest judges.
In the conclusion of the finale, one designer is named the winner of Project Runway Season 8.
Tim Gunn visits the hometowns of the four remaining designers—but only three will show as finalists at Lincoln Center.