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Design Challenge

The Design Challenge or Sewing Challenge is a Maxi Challenge where the contestants have to create a look using the provided materials in the Werk Room. The challenge varies as contestants may be allowed to only use conventional materials like fabrics, unconventional materials like everyday items, or both.

This challenge is not to be confused with the Ball where the contestants may also be expected to design a look with provided materials.

Challenge's Timeline[]

Series Season
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
The challenge never appeared in the season.
The challenge appeared in the season once.
The challenge appeared in the season twice.
The challenge appeared in the season thrice.

Design Challenge Winners[]

Design Challenge Eliminated[]

All Design Challenges[]

Episode 1: "Drag on a Dime"[]

See: Episode 1: "Drag on a Dime"

Runway Theme
Drag on a Dime
Create a look using materials from a thrift store
Contestants
 Nina Flowers  Ongina  BeBe Zahara Benet
     
WINNER HIGH SAFE
 Jade  Shannel  Tammie Brown
     
SAFE SAFE SAFE
 Rebecca Glasscock  Akashia  Victoria Parker
     
LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 1: "Gone with the Windows"[]

See: Episode 1: "Gone with the Windows"

Runway Theme
Curtain Couture
Create a look using window treatments and home furnishings
Contestants
 Morgan McMichaels  Pandora Boxx  Tyra Sanchez  Jessica Wild
       
WINNER HIGH HIGH SAFE
 Jujubee  Nicole Paige Brooks  Raven  Sonique
       
SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE
 Tatianna  Mystique Summers  Sahara Davenport  Shangela
       
SAFE LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 5: "Here Comes the Bride"[]

See: Episode 5: "Here Comes the Bride"
NOTE: The Maxi Challenge was combined with the Photoshoot Challenge.

Runway Theme
Wedding Eleganza
Create a wedding dress
Contestants
 Tyra Sanchez  Jessica Wild  Jujubee  Raven
       
WINNER HIGH HIGH HIGH
 Pandora Boxx  Tatianna  Sahara Davenport  Morgan McMichaels
       
SAFE LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 2: "The Queen Who Mopped Xmas"[]

See: Episode 2: "The Queen Who Mopped Xmas"

Runway Theme
Christmas Couture
Create a Christmas themed look using materials from a thrift store and Christmas decorations
Contestants
 Raja  Manila Luzon  Mimi Imfurst  Alexis Mateo  Delta Work
         
WINNER HIGH HIGH SAFE SAFE
 India Ferrah  Mariah Paris Balenciaga  Phoenix  Stacy Layne Matthews  Yara Sofia
         
SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE
 Carmen Carrera  Shangela  Venus D-Lite
     
LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 7: "Face, Face, Face of Cakes"[]

See: Episode 7: "Face, Face, Face of Cakes"

Runway Theme
Cake Couture
Create a look based on a cake and a doll cake
Contestants
Raja Delta Work Manila Luzon Yara Sofia
Chocolate Lava Cake Angel Food Cake Carrot Cake Strawberry Shortcake
WINNER HIGH HIGH HIGH
Carmen Carrera Shangela Alexis Mateo Stacy Layne Matthews
Princess Cake Pineapple Upside Down Cake Cheesecake Red Velvet Cake
LOW LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 1: "RuPocalypse Now!"[]

See: Episode 1: "RuPocalypse Now!"

Runway Theme
Apocalyptic Couture
Create an apocalyptic look using items looted from drag queen zombies
Contestants
Sharon Needles Lashauwn Beyond The Princess Chad Michaels Dida Ritz
WINNER HIGH HIGH SAFE SAFE
Latrice Royale Madame LaQueer Milan Phi Phi O'Hara Willam
SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE
Kenya Michaels Jiggly Caliente Alisa Summers
LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 6: "Float Your Boat"[]

See: Episode 6: "Float Your Boat"

Runway Theme
Pride Parade Extravaganza
Create a look and parade float based on a color of the pride flag
Contestants
Willam Latrice Royale Phi Phi O'Hara Chad Michaels
Indigo Turquoise Violet Pink
WINNER HIGH HIGH SAFE
Sharon Needles Dida Ritz Jiggly Caliente Milan
Green Red Orange Yellow
SAFE LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 1: "RuPaullywood or Bust"[]

See: Episode 1: "RuPaullywood or Bust"

Runway Theme
Hollywood Glamour
Create a Hollywood red carpet look using thrown out thrifted materials
Contestants
Roxxxy Andrews Alaska Ivy Winters Lineysha Sparx Alyssa Edwards
WINNER HIGH HIGH HIGH SAFE
Coco Montrese Detox Honey Mahogany Jinkx Monsoon Monica Beverly Hillz
SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE
Vivienne Pinay Jade Jolie Serena ChaCha Penny Tration
SAFE LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 1: "RuPaul's Big Opening Part 1"[]

See: Episode 1: "RuPaul's Big Opening Part 1"

Runway Theme
TV Shows
Create a look inspired by a TV show
Contestants
BenDeLaCreme April Carrion Gia Gunn Laganja Estranja
The Golden Girls Duck Dynasty Keeping Up With
The Kardashians
Dancing With The Stars
WINNER HIGH HIGH SAFE
Adore Delano Vivacious Kelly Mantle
Here Comes Honey Boo Boo Game of Thrones Downton Abbey
LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 2: "RuPaul's Big Opening Part 2"[]

See: Episode 2: "RuPaul's Big Opening Part 2"

Runway Theme
Party Box
Create a look inspired by a type of party
Contestants
Bianca Del Rio Milk Trinity K. Bonet Courtney Act
Luau Party Toga Party Princess Party Republican Party
WINNER HIGH HIGH SAFE
Joslyn Fox Darienne Lake Magnolia Crawford
Quinceañera St. Patricks Day Ho-Down
LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 1: "Born Naked"[]

See: Episode 1: "Born Naked"

Runway Theme
Nude Illusion
Create a resort-wear tearaway into a nude illusion look
Contestants
Violet Chachki Kennedy Davenport Miss Fame Ginger Minj Jaidynn Diore Fierce
WINNER HIGH HIGH SAFE SAFE
Katya Max Mrs. Kasha Davis Pearl Trixie Mattel
SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE
Jasmine Masters Sasha Belle Kandy Ho Tempest DuJour
LOW LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 1: "Keeping It 100!"[]

See: Episode 1: "Keeping It 100!"

Runway Theme
Design Challenge of the Past
Create a look based on one of the past Design Challenges
Contestants
Kim Chi Acid Betty Derrick Barry Bob The Drag Queen
RuPaul's Hair
Extravaganza
(S3; E11)
Make Dat Money
(S3; E13)
The Queen Who
Mopped Xmas
(S3; E2)
Gone With
The Window
(S2; E1)
WINNER HIGH HIGH SAFE
Chi Chi DeVayne Thorgy Thor Cynthia Lee Fontaine Dax ExclamationPoint
Glitter Ball
(S6; E11)
Face, Face, Face
of Cakes
(S3; E7)
Sugar Ball
(S5; E11)
Hello, Kitty Girls!
(S7; E11)
SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE
Naomi Smalls Robbie Turner Laila McQueen Naysha Lopez
Float Your Boat
(S4; E6)
The Fabulous
Bitch Ball
(S4; E11)
RuPocalypse Now
(S4; E1)
Drag on a Dime
(S1; E1)
LOW LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 3: "Draggily Ever After"[]

See: Episode 3: "Draggily Ever After"

Runway Theme
Princess Fantasy
Create a princess and sidekick look
Contestant Princess Sidekick Placement
Trinity Taylor Aquapussy Stanky the Starfish WINNER
Peppermint Carcinogenetta Petey the Pilot Light HIGH
Valentina Vira Netty HIGH
Alexis Michelle #SubwayFish #SubwayTadpole SAFE
Charlie Hides Climaxica Isabella Snatchpacker SAFE
Cynthia Lee Fontaine Cuculina Brulee SAFE
Eureka O'Hara You-Reek-Of-Daria Woof-Train SAFE
Nina Bo'nina Brown Zathena Ink SAFE
Sasha Velour Uglina Lunk SAFE
Shea Coulee Aquaria Moon Pearl SAFE
Farrah Moan Pacifica Fablina the Blowfish LOW
Aja Disastah Da Sistah BOTTOM 2
Kimora Blac Banana Lady Funky Monkey ELIMINATED

Episode 1: "10s Across the Board"[]

See: Episode 1: "10s Across the Board"

Runway Theme
Drag on a Dime
Create a look using miscellaneous items from a 99¢ store
Contestants
Mayhem Miller Blair St. Clair Miz Cracker Yuhua Hamasaki Aquaria
WINNER HIGH HIGH HIGH SAFE
Asia O'Hara Eureka O'Hara Kameron Michaels Monét X Change Monique Heart
SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE
The Vixen Dusty Ray Bottoms Kalorie Karbdashian-Williams Vanessa Vanjie Mateo
SAFE LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 1: "Whatcha Unpackin?"[]

See: Episode 1: "Whatcha Unpackin?"

Runway Theme
Legendary
Create a look using materials based on RuPaul's Drag Race alumnae
Contestants
Brooke Lynn Hytes A'keria C. Davenport  Plastique Tiara  Vanessa Vanjie Mateo  Ariel Versace
 Detox  Bebe Zahara Benet  Sasha Velour  Valentina  Laganja Estranja
         
WINNER HIGH HIGH HIGH SAFE
Honey Davenport  Ra'Jah O'Hara  Scarlet Envy  Shuga Cain  Silky Nutmeg Ganache
 BenDeLaCreme  Kennedy Davenport  Violet Chachki  Sharon Needles  Peppermint
         
SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE
Yvie Oddly  Nina West  Mercedes Iman Diamond  Kahanna Montrese  Soju
 Alaska  Thorgy Thor  Bianca Del Rio  Katya  Kim Chi
         
SAFE LOW LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 7: "From Farm To Runway"[]

See: Episode 7: "From Farm To Runway"

Runway Theme
From Farm To Runway
Create a look using organic materials
Contestants
 Plastique Tiara  Brooke Lynn Hytes  Yvie Oddly
     
WINNER HIGH HIGH
 Shuga Cain  Silky Nutmeg Ganache  Vanessa Vanjie Mateo
     
SAFE SAFE SAFE
 Nina West  A'keria C. Davenport  Ra'Jah O'Hara
     
LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 6: "Glamazon Prime"[]

See: Episode 6: "Glamazon Prime"

Runway Theme
Glamazon Primetime
Create a look using online shopping materials
Contestants
Jorgeous Angeria Paris
VanMicheals
Lady Camden Bosco Daya Betty
WINNER HIGH HIGH SAFE SAFE
Kerri Colby Willow Pill DeJa Skye Jasmine Kennedie Maddy Morphosis
SAFE SAFE LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 5: "House of Fashion"[]

See: Episode 5: "House of Fashion"

Runway Theme
Drag Race Fashion Week
Create a look using home decor materials based on one of the main judges
Contestant Fashion
House
Looks Placement
Luxx Noir London House
of
Visage
WINNER
Aura Mayari SAFE
Mistress Isabelle Brooks SAFE
Spice SAFE
Amethyst ELIMINATED
Malaysia Babydoll Foxx House
of
Mathews
HIGH
Sasha Colby HIGH
Loosey LaDuca SAFE
Marcia Marcia Marcia SAFE
Robin Fierce House
of
Kressley
HIGH
Anetra SAFE
Jax LOW
Salina EsTitties BOTTOM 2

Episode 6: "Welcome to the DollHouse"[]

See: Episode 6: "Welcome to the DollHouse"

Runway Theme
Welcome to the Dollhouse
Create a look and a matching look for an original doll
Contestant Look Doll Placement
Q Fantasy Edition WINNER
Dawn Galactic Empress Edition HIGH
Plane Jane Aquatic Edition HIGH
Megami Native New Yorker Edition SAFE
Morphine Love Dion Miami Bimbo Edition SAFE
Nymphia Wind Spring Banana Yellow Carpet Edition SAFE
Sapphira Cristál Grand Dame Diva Metropolitan Opera Edition SAFE
Xunami Muse Fashion Week Edition SAFE
Plasma Passenger on the Pacific Edition LOW
Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige Queen of Flips Edition BOTTOM 2
Geneva Karr Daintiest Doll Texas Edition ELIMINATED

Episode 9: "See You Next Wednesday"[]

See: Episode 9: "See You Next Wednesday"

Runway Theme
See You Next Wednesday
Create a neo-goth look
Contestants
Q Dawn Nymphia Wind Plane Jane
WINNER HIGH HIGH HIGH
Sapphira Cristál Morphine Love Dion Mhi'ya Iman Le'Paige Plasma
HIGH LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 12: "Bathroom Hunties"[]

See: Episode 12: "Bathroom Hunties"

Photo Contestant Bathroom Placement
Plane Jane Bootylickers Speakeasy WINNER
Sapphira Cristál WINNER
Q Naughty Potty LOW
Morphine Love Dion BOTTOM 2
Nymphia Wind F.ART Museum LOW
Dawn ELIMINATED

Episode 3: "Monopulence!"[]

See: Episode 3: "Monopulence!"

Runway Theme
Monopulence!
Create an opulent look using provided monochromatic materials
Contestant
Sam Star Arrietty Onya Nurve Acacia Forgot Crystal Envy
Park Place Indiana Avenue North Carolina Avenue Atlantic Avenue Boardwalk
     
WINNER HIGH HIGH SAFE SAFE
Hormona Lisa Jewels Sparkles Lana Ja'Rae Lexi Love Lydia B Kollins
Tennessee Avenue Pennsylvania Avenue Illinois Avenue New York Avenue Marvin Gardens
 
SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE
Suzie Toot Kori King Joella Lucky Starzzz
Kentucky Avenue Ventnor Avenue Pacific Avenue St. James Place
SAFE LOW BOTTOM 2 ELIMINATED

Episode 9: "Heavens to Betsey!"[]

See: Episode 9: "Heavens to Betsey!"

Runway Theme
Betsey Johnson Fashion Collection
Design an outfit inspired by a Betsey Johnson Collection
Contestants
Punk Grunge Flappers
Jewels Sparkles Suzie Toot Lydia B Kollins
WINNER SAFE BOTTOM 2
Prenup
Arrietty Lexi Love Sam Star
HIGH HIGH SAFE
Betsey's Prom
Lana Ja'Rae Onya Nurve Kori King
SAFE LOW ELIMINATED

Trivia[]

  • During the first eleven seasons of RuPaul's Drag Race, the Design or Runway challenge was typically the first challenge of the season. This long-lasting tradition was broken by the Rumix Challenge when it became the first challenge on Season 12.
  • Morgan McMichaels is the first contestant to win a Design Challenge and later be eliminated on another Design Challenge.
  • Raja is the first contestant to win two Design Challenges as well as winning two in the same season (Season 3).
  • "Drag on a Dime", "Gone with the Windows", "The Queen Who Mopped Xmas", "Face, Face, Face of Cakes", "RuPocalypse Now!" and "Float Your Boat" were all used as inspirations for the first Design Challenge of Season 8.
    • For "Face, Face, Face of Cakes", the cake used was Red Velvet which was Stacy Layne Matthews' cake originally.
    • For "Float Your Boat", the blue boat was used which was Willam's color originally.
    • Coincidentally, all contestants who placed in the top for the challenge were assigned themes from Season 3.
  • "Drag on a Dime" is the only theme to be used three times, appearing on Season 1, Season 8 and Season 10.
  • Tyra Sanchez, Sharon Needles, Violet Chachki, Kim Chi, Aquaria, and Brooke Lynn Hytes are the only contestants to win both a Design Challenge and a Ball Challenge in the same season.

Videos[]

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