The third season of the show, with Heidi Klum returning as the host and Tim Gunn as the designers' guide, began airing on July 12, 2006.

This broke tradition from the previous two seasons, which premiered in December, with the finales taking place at Olympus Fashion Week in February.

The winner, Jeffrey Sebelia, received a spread in Elle magazine, a mentorship with INC (Inter-National Concepts) Design, a year of representation by Designers Management Agency, a 2007 Saturn Sky Roadster, and $100,000 to start a clothing line (furnished by TRESemmé haircare).

The 15 models competing for an Elle spread in the third season were: Designer legend Model selection process: Tim Gunn and a panel of fashion professionals, which include previous Project Runway designers, interview thousands of possible contestants for the third season of Project Runway.

The designers arrive in New York and are asked to create an outfit in just two days using only materials found in their apartments.

The remaining designers are asked to create a formal evening gown for guest judge and 2006 Miss USA Tara Conner in just two days and $300.

The remaining designers are asked to create a three-piece outfit for Macy's in-house INC brand in just two days and US$100.

The winning design will be manufactured, produced, and sold at Macy's largest stores nationwide.

Keith Michael Rizza was found to have guides that could potentially be used as outside resources in a closed competition.

Additionally, Keith left production unattended for several hours during promotional filming after a quarrel with the other designers.

Once these claims were brought to the producers' attention, it was decided Keith knowingly broke the rules stated in a signed contract and was asked to leave the show.

The winner of this challenge will feature their look and model in a print advertisement for TRESemmé in Elle magazine.

This challenge allowed remaining models to be randomly selected to choose a designer they wanted to work with.

The remaining designers are asked to create an evening gown in just two days and €300 (US$375) employing Haute couture techniques.

There were two runway presentations: one for guest judge Catherine Malandrino with Parisian models, and the New York panel.

Previously eliminated designers Angela Keslar and Vincent Libretti are invited back to compete.

The winner of this challenge has his or her look and model featured in US Elle magazine's "First Look" page photographed by Gilles Bensimon.

The designers then return to New York with a week remaining to finish their collections in a workroom provided by show sponsor Macy's.