Project Runway 8 (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

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 Network. 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.

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. The decision was met with controversy; both Gunn and Klum have spoken out against Jones' victory, condemning Kors and Garcia's decision to award her the win, believing instead that Mondo Guerra was the more worthy contender. Due to Jones' negative portrayal throughout the series many home viewers also disagreed with the decision to award her the win, believing her design aesthetics and her on-screen demeanour left her unworthy of the title of Project Runway 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.

Contestants

Designers

Designer	Age	Place of Residence	Place Finished
McKell Maddox	29	Layton, UT	17th
Jason Troisi	33	Greenwich, CT	16th
Nicholas D'Aurizio	32	New York, NY	15th
Sarah Trost	27	Toluca Lake, CA	14th
Kristin Haskins Simms	39	Philadelphia, PA	13th
A.J. Thouvenot	26	St. Charles, MO	12th
Peach Carr	50	Lake Forest, IL	11th
Carlos Casanova	33	Astoria, NY	10th
Michael Drummond	31	St. Louis, MO	9th
Ivy Higa	30	New York, NY	8th
Valerie Mayen	29	Cleveland, OH	7th
Christopher Collins	30	San Francisco, CA	6th
April Johnston	21	Savannah, GA	5th
Michael Costello	27	Palm Springs, CA	4th
Andy South	23	Waianae, HI	3rd
Mondo Guerra	32	Denver, CO	Runner-up
Gretchen Jones	28	Portland, OR	Winner

Models

Model	Place Finished
Vanessa Ratnavich	17th
Dre Davis	16th
Julia Rodriguez	15th
Samantha Zajarias	14th
Kaven Jo Caven	13th
Amare Tk	12th
Ifeoma 'Ify' Jones	11th
Sarae Cart	10th
Zhanna Ved	9th
Ekaterina Py	8th
Alexandra Palmer	7th
Eyen Chorm	6th
Rose Cook	5th
Cassie Dzienny	4th
Lenka Dayrit	3rd
Tina Marie Clark	Runner-up
Mill Ana Snow	Winner

Season 8 Challenges

Designer Elimination Table

Designer	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Eliminated Episode
Gretchen	WIN	WIN	HIGH	IN	LOW	IN	IN	IN	HIGH	HIGH	LOW	LOW	HIGH	WINNER	14 - Finale, Part 2
Mondo	IN	HIGH	IN	IN	HIGH	HIGH	LOW	WIN	WIN	WIN	HIGH	HIGH	WIN
Andy	IN	IN	WIN	IN	LOW	IN	HIGH	LOW	HIGH	LOW	WIN	HIGH	LOW
Michael C.	IN	IN	IN	WIN	LOW	WIN	IN	IN	LOW	LOW	LOW	WIN	OUT		13 - Finale, Part 1
April	LOW	IN	IN	LOW	HIGH	IN	WIN	IN	IN	HIGH	HIGH	OUT
Christopher	IN	IN	IN	LOW	LOW	HIGH	IN	HIGH	IN	LOW	OUT				11 - A Look in the Line
Valerie	IN	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	HIGH	LOW	IN	LOW	LOW	OUT					10 - There's a Pattern Here
Ivy	LOW	IN	IN	IN	LOW	IN	LOW	HIGH	OUT						9 - Race to the Finish
Michael D.	IN	IN	IN	HIGH	HIGH	LOW	HIGH	OUT
Casanova	LOW	IN	LOW	IN	WIN	IN	OUT								7 - What's Mine Is Yours
Peach	IN	LOW	IN	IN	HIGH	OUT
A.J.	IN	IN	LOW	IN	OUT										5 - There IS an "I" in Team
Kristin	IN	IN	IN	OUT											4 - Hats Off to You
Sarah	IN	IN	OUT												3 - It's a Party
Nicholas	LOW	OUT													2 - Larger Than Life
Jason	LOW	OUT
McKell	OUT														1 - And Sew It Begins

{{colorbox}} The designer won Project Runway Season 8.

{{colorbox}} The designer was the runner-up in the finale.

{{colorbox}} The designer won the challenge.

{{colorbox}} The designer was in the top two, or the first announced into the top 3, but did not win.

{{colorbox}} The designer had one of the highest scores for that challenge, but did not win.

{{colorbox}} The designer had one of the lowest scores for that challenge, but was not eliminated.

{{colorbox}} The designer was in the bottom two, but was not eliminated.

{{colorbox}} The designer lost and was out of the competition.

NB-For challenge 1, 7 designers were asked to stay on the runway. However, ONLY Gretchen, the winner, had a high score and the other 6 made up the bottom

Model Elimination Table

Model	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14
MillAna	AJ	AJ	AJ	AJ	AJ	AJ	CC	AJ	AJ	AJ	GJ	GJ	GJ	WINNER
Tina Marie	VM	VM	VM	VM	VM	VM	AS	VM	VM	VM	MG	MG	MG	OUT
Lenka	MC	MC	MC	MC	MC	MC	MG	MC	MC	MC	AS	AS	AS	OUT
Cassie	AS	AS	AS	AS	AS	AS	VM	AS	AS	AS	MC	MC	MC	OUT
Rose	CC	CC	CC	CC	CC	CC	AJ	CC	CC	CC	AJ	AJ	OUT
Eyen	MG	MG	MG	MG	MG	MG	MC	MG	MG	MG	CC	OUT
Alexandra	GJ	GJ	GJ	GJ	GJ	GJ	CA	GJ	GJ	GJ	WD
Ekaterina	IH	IH	IH	IH	IH	IH	MD	IH	IH	OUT
Zhanna	MD	MD	MD	MD	MD	MD	IH	MD	OUT
Sarae	CA	CA	CA	CA	CA	CA	GJ	OUT
Ify	PC	PC	PC	PC	PC	PC	OUT
Amare	AT	AT	AT	AT	AT	OUT
Kaven	KS	KS	KS	KS	OUT
Samantha	ST	ST	ST	OUT
Julia	ND	ND	OUT
Dre	JT	JT	OUT
Vanessa	MM	OUT

{{colorbox}} The model won Project Runway Season 8.

{{colorbox}} The model wore the winning design that challenge.

{{colorbox}} The model wore the losing design that challenge.

{{colorbox}} The model was eliminated.

{{colorbox}} The model withdrew from the competition

^: The models were not used in Episode 6.

^: Alexandra was chosen by Christopher, but then withdrew from the competition because of a family crisis and Eyen was brought back.

Designer legend

• A.J. Thouvenot: AT
• Andy South: AS
• April Johnston: AJ
• Carlos Casanova : CA
• Christopher Collins: CC
• Gretchen Jones: GJ
• Ivy Higa: IH
• Jason Troisi: JT
• Kristin Haskins Simms: KS
• Nicholas D'Aurizio: ND
• McKell Maddox: MM
• Michael Costello: MC
• Michael Drummond: MD
• Mondo Guerra: MG
• Peach Carr: PC
• Sarah Trost: ST
• Valerie Mayen: VM

Episode summary

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.

• Guest Judge: Selma Blair

WINNER: Gretchen

ELIMINATED: McKell

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.

• Guest Judge: Joanna Coles, Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire magazine

WINNER: Gretchen

ELIMINATED: Jason and Nicholas

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.

• Guest Judge: Betsey Johnson

WINNER: Andy

ELIMINATED: Sarah

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.

• Guest Judge: Philip Treacy

WINNER: Michael C.

ELIMINATED: Kristin

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.

Concept/Textile	Team Members (in the order of being chosen1)
Military/Lace	April, Mondo, Michael D., Valerie, Casanova, Peach
Menswear/Camel	Michael C., Gretchen, Christopher, Andy, Ivy, AJ

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.

• Guest Judge: Georgina Chapman

WINNER: Casanova

ELIMINATED: AJ

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.

• Guest Judge: Cynthia Rowley

WINNER: Michael C.

ELIMINATED: Peach

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 - Andy

Michael C. - Mondo

April - Christopher

Casanova - Gretchen

Ivy - Michael D.

• Guest Judge: Kristen Bell

WINNER: April

ELIMINATED: Casanova

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.

• Guest Judge: January Jones

WINNER: Mondo

ELIMINATED: Michael D.

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.

Designer	Eye Shadow Finish
Mondo	Bright
Christopher	Crystal
April	Matte
Michael C.	Metallic
Ivy	Bright
Valerie	Crystal
Gretchen	Velvet
Andy	Metallic

• Guest Judge: Naeem Khan

WINNER: Mondo

ELIMINATED: Ivy

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. Mondo 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.

• Guest Judge: Rachel Roy

WINNER: Mondo

ELIMINATED: Valerie

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.

• Guest Judge: Norma Kamali

WINNER: Andy

ELIMINATED: Christopher

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.

Designer	Inspiration from New York City
Andy	Central Park
April	Brooklyn Bridge
Gretchen	Lower East Side
Michael C.	Statue of Liberty
Mondo	Brooklyn Bridge

• Guest Judge: Christian Siriano

ADVANCED TO PREPARE LINE FOR FASHION WEEK: Michael C., Mondo, Andy, Gretchen

ELIMINATED: April

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.

• Guest Judge: None

ADVANCED TO FASHION WEEK: Mondo, Gretchen, Andy

ELIMINATED: Michael C.

Episode 14: Finale, Part 2

Original Airdate: October 28, 2010

• Guest Judge: Jessica Simpson

WINNER: Gretchen

ELIMINATED: Andy, Mondo

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