Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn welcome 12 designers to New York City and tell them to pack their bags because their first fashion show will be in front of the Eiffel tower in Paris. In their first assignment, the designers must create a two-look brand snapshot. One designer lets self-doubt get in her way, while another has to make a new dress from scratch with only a few hours remaining.

Heidi and Tim meet up with the designers to give them their next assignment: a two-look, Haute-Couture inspired mini collection for a fashion show that will take place at the historic Musée Des Arts Décoratifs. As the fashion show draws near, an indecisive designer struggles to stay on track, while another designer attempts to push their creative boundaries.

Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn give the 10 remaining designers their toughest assignment yet - a collaboration. In teams of two, the designers must blend their individual aesthetics into a 3-look collection for a runway show on the banks of the River Seine. One designer struggles to overcome a teammate’s costly mistake, while another pair’s creative conflict threatens to sink their partnership.

The competition heats up after the designers receive a special assignment from Tim: create one-look in just seven hours, using only leftover fabric and supplies. The designers are pushed to their limits and fight for their spot in the competition, taking creative risks that stretch their brand aesthetic.

The designers pack their bags and head to Tokyo. Once they arrive, their assignment is to create a two-look streetwear collection inspired by the Harajuku neighborhood. As one designer struggles to step out of their comfort zone, another designer looks to the local workers for inspiration.

In front of the oldest temple in Tokyo, Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn give the remaining six designers a futuristic assignment – create two looks based on the concept of opposing forces. They will then showcase their looks in an immersive, digital fashion experience. The pressure of the competition threatens to derail one designer, while another takes a risky step outside of their comfort zone.

The five remaining designers are challenged to create a two-look collection and a digital marketing campaign. In addition to a fashion show, the designers will have to act as creative directors in a photo shoot with their models. In an epic and rainy fashion show, some of the designers shine, while others get washed out.

Tim and Heidi take the four remaining designers to a serene tea ceremony before revealing the next assignment. Now, the designers must create a two-to-four look mini-collection that embodies the evolution of their brands since the beginning of the competition. One competitor’s ambitious plan quickly unravels, while another decides to go big or go home.

Heidi and Tim tell the top three finalists to pack their bags because they’re going… home! While there, the designers must begin to put together a final collection and conceptualize a pop-up shop that will be hosted in New York City in just one month.

In the season finale of Making the Cut, one designer’s journey comes to an end – leaving the last two designers to present a business pitch to the President of Amazon Fashion and showcase a final twelve to fourteen look collection. One designer is crowned the winner of Making the Cut, receiving a mentorship, an exclusive line on Amazon, and $1,000,000 to invest into their brand.