15 new, and one returning, contestants begin the battle to win Project Runway's twelfth season. This season incorporates some new changes including the "Tim Gunn Save," the anonymous runway show, and a $4000 spending account allowing the designers to set their own challenge budgets. For their first task, the designers must create an outfit that shows their point-of-view using parachute materials. They have two days to complete their looks.

The designers are asked to create evening wear looks to go with multi-million dollar pieces of jewelry. They have one day to complete their outfits.

The contestants head to Coney Island for their next challenge. In teams of two, they first must give away frozen yogurt treats to locals to elicit buzzwords to use as a theme for their garments. Then, they must pay $100 from their accounts for access to the carnival games which will provide the materials they are to use. They have one day to complete their looks.

The designers must create a garment utilizing bow ties in a non-traditional way using Justin Mikita and Jesse Tyler Ferguson's Tie The Knot organization as inspiration. They have one day to complete their looks.

The designers are split into teams of three to create a luxurious mini-collection using items from three varied retailers (a vintage wallpaper store, a specialty food store, and a home goods/party store). They have one day to complete the challenge.

For their next challenge, the designers go on an overnight "glamping" trip, with the surroundings from the campsite serving as inspiration for a high-end look. They have one day to complete their garments.

The designers are asked to create a look inspired by a pair of shoes. They have one day to complete the challenge.

The designers must create fashionable activewear for Heidi Klum's collection with New Balance. They get two yards of fabric from the collection and have one day to complete their looks.

The designers are asked to create a day or evening look for modern, Southern women. The winning look will be sold at Belk stores. They have one day to complete their garments.

The designers must create garments as part of a makeover for their clients… the show's biggest SuperFans. They have two days to complete the challenge.

The designers must create their own print fabric to use in a garment inspired by a Next Gen innovator. They have one day to complete their looks.

The designers are tasked to create an avant-garde look inspired by butterflies. Later, they are given the additional task of re-purposing a losing look into something new. They have three days to complete both challenges.

Each of the remaining designers is given six weeks and $9000 to design a 10-piece collection for Fashion Week, including one look made of unconventional materials. In the interim, each gets a special visit in their hometown from Tim Gunn. Back in New York, three designers must choose three of their looks to show as part of a mini-collection in order to secure their spot in the final runway show.