Heidi warns the designers that the upcoming challenges are going to be much tougher than the previous ones. Her prevision proves to be true the following day when they are taken to a warehouse of recyclables. Here, Tim explains, the designers will collect all the materials needed to make their outfits. They will also be allowed to go to an art store for paint and other supplies necessary for embellishments. This challenge is all about innovation and creativity.
Eager to give aspiring designers a chance to break into the notoriously difficult-to-crack fashion world, supermodel Heidi Klum will once again head a panel of industry luminaries, including top women's and men's wear designer Michael Kors and Elle Magazine fashion director Nina Garcia, who will serve as judges and industry mentors charged with selecting and molding the budding designers. There will also be guest judges each week based on the specific challenge. Timballoonn, Chair of the Parsons The New School For Design, will return to guide the contestants through each of their challenges.
The winning designer will walk away with $100,000 in seed money to help them launch their own line. The winner's designs will be featured in a spread in ELLE, photographed by the magazine's world-renowned Publication Director, Gilles Bensimon. They will also receive a mentorship from the Banana Republic Design Team.