Ep 1. Back to New York

In Project Runway season 7 episode 1, titled "Back to New York," sixteen new designers gather at the Parsons School of Design to compete for the title of America's next great fashion designer. The episode opens with a recap of the previous season's winner, Christian Siriano, who is now a celebrated fashion designer in his own right.

The contestants are introduced to the judges: Heidi Klum, Michael Kors, and Nina Garcia. They also get to meet Tim Gunn, the show's mentor, who gives them an overview of the challenges they will have to face throughout the season.

The designers are tasked with creating a garment that is inspired by their hometowns. They have just five hours to complete the challenge before they have to present it to the judges. The designers immediately get to work, with some struggling to come up with a concept and others racing against the clock to finish their pieces in time.

As they work, the contestants get to know each other and form alliances. There are a few standout personalities, including Jesse, who describes himself as the "bad boy of fashion," and Ping, a quirky designer who uses unconventional materials in her designs. The judges also take note of the designers' personalities, noting that they expect to see more than just technical skills from the contestants.

After the five-hour time limit is up, the designers present their garments to the judges. The runway show is held in a rooftop garden, providing a stunning backdrop for the designs. Some of the standout pieces include a hand-painted silk dress by Maya, a draped jumpsuit by Jay, and a stunning metallic gown by Emilio.

However, not all of the pieces are successful. Several designers struggle to translate their hometown inspiration into a wearable garment, with some submitting pieces that are poorly executed or do not meet the challenge criteria. The judges provide constructive feedback, noting that they expect to see more from the contestants in future challenges.

In the end, the judges select the winner and the loser of the challenge. The winner is awarded immunity for the next challenge, while the loser is sent home. The decision is based on both the designer's technical skills as well as their creative vision and ability to meet the challenge criteria.

Overall, "Back to New York" sets the tone for an exciting and challenging season of Project Runway. The designers are diverse and talented, and the judges are looking for more than just technical prowess in the contestants. With high stakes and creative challenges, the designers must demonstrate their ability to think outside the box and to create fashion that is both innovative and wearable.