Project Runway (2004)

Innovation

The 14 hopefuls all meet up in New York and are given their first assignment: Innovation. Taken to a place where they are said to get their materials, the designers are shocked to see it is a grocery store. Back in the workroom, Austin Scarlett is confused about how to make a dress out of his many corn husks. Mario Cadenas on the other hand quickly makes a dress out of a shower curtain and is finished in 10 minutes. At judging, Austin's creativity pays off as he is the winner of the competition, and Daniel Franco is the first designer sent home.

Vision

Another day begins, and the designers are to design a dress that represents 'Envy'. As they finish, the designers are surprisedly told that their dresses will be put for sale in a private auction, with whomever gets the most bids winning the challenge. At the runway, it is revealed Kara Saun's design earned the most bids, pocketing over $400. As the designers are asked to explain their idea, the judges are not impressed with Mario's simplicity and send him home.

Commercial Appeal

The designers finally have to decide something actually wearable. For this challenge, the designers must create a party dress that could appeal to Banana Republic's customers. The winner, instead of being granted immunity, will have their dress marketed and sold at select Banana Republic stores. After two horrible weeks with dresses failing to impress the judges, Wendy Pepper finally comes through with a simple black dress with matching capulet and purse. Wendy is thrilled at the prospect of seeing her design for sale in stores.

Collaboration

Rock singer Sarah Hudson makes a special appearance. All of the designers show them their prospective Rock N' Roll designs and Sarah picks the three whose designs she liked best: Jay, Kevin, and Austin's. Those three are the team leaders and they have to pick two others to be on their team and as a group, they will work on the group leader's design. At judging, Jay's group is safe and Heidi shocks the remaining designers asking them who they think in their group should be 'out'. Austin breaks down crying before saying Vanessa should be out. Vanessa herself admits she should be out as well. Before elimination, Sarah picks Kevin's design as the winner making him safe from elimination the next week. After deliberation, the judges decide to send home Vanessa because she admitted to them she was a weak link.

"Model" Clients

The designers learn that their selected model will be their client, and they must design a wedding dress of their model's dreams. At evaluation, the judges feel as though even Austin's dress was horrendous and not at all like a wedding dress, Nora's was too plain and not original.

Making a Splash

Design a Collection

Postal Uniform Challenge

Design for the Red Carpet

Reunion Show

A special reunion episode, the 12 designers all reunite to talk about what happened behind the scenes on Project Runway. When people are confronted and questions are answered, the fabric starts flying.

Fashion Week