Project Runway (season 8)

*Project Runway*
Project Runway
Season 8
	Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum, and season 8 contestants
No. of tasks	12
No. of contestants	17
Winner	Gretchen Jones
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	14
Release
Original network	Lifetime
Original release	July 29 –; October 28, 2010
Season chronology
	← Previous; Season 7 Next →; Season 9

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.

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. Ari South (known as Andy on season 8 before 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. Casanova and South would go on to participate again in the sixth season of All Stars in 2018, with Casanova placing 16th of 16, while South placed 14th.

Contestants[]

Designers[]

Designer	Age	Place of Residence	Place Finished
McKell Maddox	29	Layton, UT	17th
Jason Troisi	33	Greenwich, CT	16th/15th
Nicholas D'Aurizio	32	New York, NY	16th/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
Ari South¹	23	Waianae, HI	3rd
Mondo Guerra	32	Denver, CO	Runner-up
Gretchen Jones	28	Portland, OR	Winner

^Note 1 : Ari was known as Andy on season 8, prior to transitioning.

Models[]

Models	Place Finished
Vanessa Ratnavich	17th
Dre Davis	16th
Julia Rodriguez	15th
Samantha Zajarias	14th
Kaven Jo Caven	13th
Amare Tk	12th
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	2nd
Millana Snow	Winner

Challenges[]

Designer Elimination Table
Designers	1¹	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10²	11	12	13	14	Eliminated Episode
Gretchen	WIN	WIN	HIGH	IN	LOW	IN	IN	IN	HIGH	IN	LOW	LOW	ADV	WINNER	14 - Finale, Part 2
Mondo	IN	HIGH	IN	IN	HIGH	HIGH	LOW	WIN	WIN	WIN	HIGH	HIGH	ADV	RUNNER-UP
Ari ³	IN	IN	WIN	IN	LOW	IN	HIGH	LOW	HIGH	LOW	WIN	HIGH	ADV	3RD PLACE
Michael C.	IN	IN	IN	WIN	LOW	WIN	IN	IN	LOW	IN	LOW	WIN	OUT		13 - Finale, Part 1
April	LOW	IN	IN	LOW	HIGH	IN	WIN	IN	IN	HIGH	HIGH	OUT			12 - We're in a New York State of Mind
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							8 - A Rough Day on the Runway
Casanova	LOW	IN	LOW	IN	WIN	IN	OUT								7 - What's Mine is Yours
Peach	IN	LOW	IN	IN	HIGH	OUT									6 - You Can Totally Wear That Again
AJ	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													2 - Larger Than Life
McKell	OUT														1 - And Sew It Begins

The designer won Project Runway Season 8.

The designer won the challenge.

The designer was in the top two, but did not win.

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

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

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

The designer lost and was out of the competition.

^Note 1 : This episode was unusual in that there was only 1 high look and 6 bottom looks, instead of 3 high and 3 low.
^Note 2 : This episode only Mondo's look was a clear high look from the judges, April, Michael C, Gretchen, were considered only fine but not judged really as a high or low.
^Note 3 : Ari was known as Andy during her run on season 8 before transitioning.

Model Elimination Table
Model	1	2	3	4	5	6¹	7	8	9	10	11 ²	12	13	14
Millana	AJ	AJ	AJ	AJ	AJ	AJ	CC	AJ	AJ	AJ	GJ	GJ	GJ	WINNER (GJ)
Tina Marie	VM	VM	VM	VM	VM	VM	AS	VM	VM	VM	MG	MG	MG	MG
Lenka	MC	MC	MC	MC	MC	MC	MG	MC	MC	MC	AS	AS	AS	AS
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

The model won Project Runway Season 8.

The model wore the winning design that challenge.

The model wore the losing design that challenge.

The model was eliminated.

The model withdrew from the competition

^1 : The models were not used in Episode 6.

^2 : 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: AT
April: AJ
Ari: AS
Casanova: CA
Christopher: CC
Gretchen: GJ
Ivy: IH
Jason: JT
Kristin: KS
Nicholas: ND
McKell: MM
Michael C.: MC
Michael D.: MD
Mondo: MG
Peach: PC
Sarah: ST
Valerie: VM

Episodes[]

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 meet Marie Claire magazine's editor-in-chief, Joanna Coles, and are asked to design a look that epitomizes the Marie Claire woman. The winner's look will be displayed on a billboard in Times Square. 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

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: Ari

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, Ari, 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, Ari, 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.^[1]

Guest Judge: Georgina Chapman

WINNER: Casanova

ELIMINATED: A.J

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 - Ari

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'Oréal advertorial, using one of the L'Oréal eye shadow finishes as an inspiration. 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.^{[citation needed]}

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

Guest Judge: Naeem Khan

WINNER: Mondo

ELIMINATED: Ivy

Episode 10: There's a Pattern Here[]

Original Airdate: September 30, 2010

The designers are tasked with designing their own textile and garment inspired by a memorable time in their lives. The challenge is interrupted when the designers' loved ones make a surprise visit and work is suspended for the rest of the day. The episode is best remembered for Mondo as he struggles with a secret he has been keeping for 10 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 two days to design a look for Heidi Klum's New Balance activewear line. The winning look will be 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 Ari’s looks will be produced and sold, not just one as previously announced.

Guest Judge: Norma Kamali

WINNER: Ari

ELIMINATED: Christopher

Episode 12: We're in a New York State of Mind[]

Original Airdate: October 14, 2010

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg gives the remaining five contestants the challenge of creating a look inspired by the city. 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
Ari	Central Park
April	Brooklyn Bridge
Gretchen	Lower East Side
Michael C.	Statue of Liberty
Mondo	Brooklyn Bridge

Guest Judge: Christian Siriano^[2]

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

ELIMINATED: April

Episode 13: Finale, Part 1[]

Original Airdate: October 21, 2010

The four remaining designers are given six weeks and $9,000 to prepare a 10-piece collection. After one month, Tim Gunn visits each designer to check on their progress. When the designers return to New York, they are given two days to create one additional look to show as part of a mini collection consisting of that look and two of their existing pieces. Three designers are chosen to continue and display their entire collection at Fashion Week.

Guest Judge: None

ADVANCED TO FASHION WEEK: Mondo, Gretchen, Ari

ELIMINATED: Michael C.

Episode 14: Finale, Part 2[]

Original Airdate: October 28, 2010

The final three designers show their collections on the runway at New York Fashion Week and the winner is announced.

Guest Judge: Jessica Simpson

WINNER: Gretchen

ELIMINATED: Ari, Mondo

References[]

^ Lifetime TV Website, My Lifetime Videos-Tim Gunn Loses His Temper 2010-08-26. Retrieved 2010-08-28.
^ Christian Siriano returns to Project Runway

External links[]

[gunnspeech-ep5-1] Lifetime TV Website, My Lifetime Videos-Tim Gunn Loses His Temper 2010-08-26. Retrieved 2010-08-28.

[2] Christian Siriano returns to Project Runway

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