10 Best/Worst Reality-TV Fashion Challenges

The fashion reality show that begat all fashion reality shows started off with a bang in its very first episode. Each designer was tasked with creating something beautiful using only $50 worth of items found in a grocery store. The challenge instantly established which contestants were forces to be reckoned with — and introduced viewers to Austin Scarlett, whose ingenious corn husk dress is still one of Runway's signature looks. —HB

Create a gorgeous drag outfit using only hairpieces? No problem for the crafty divas of Drag Race, who tackled this season 3 challenge with typical charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent. Shangela's hot mess of a dress got her booted from the competition for the second time, while Yara Sofia's over-the-top poodle-meets-scorpion look won RuPaul's top condragulations. Shantay, she stayed. —HB

After a photo shoot that morphed the girls into an assortment of circus freaks — including at least one ''sexy cannibal'' — Tyra went a little more low-concept by having each contestant impersonate both halves of a famous celebrity pair. Gender-bending challenges typically lead to memorable pictures on Top Model, and the celebrity aspect was the perfect mix of glamour and humor. Though pity the poor girl who was asked to play both Donald and Melania Trump.—ES

Versatility was the name of the game in this episode of NBC's commercially minded show, which asked each designer to step outside of his or her comfort zone. Sultry Luciana took a stab at making something conservative, menswear-inspired Kara made a flowing asymmetrical frock, dress-loving Ronnie gave swimwear a whirl, and viewers saw which contestants were truly adaptable enough to make it in the fashion biz. —HB

We thought we'd seen it all when it came to reality-television-meets-runway shows. But that was before this, ahem, bare bones modeling challenge, which saw each contestant posing nude save for a single accessory. We'll never look at a pair of leather gloves the same way again. —HB

Nothing says love like a romance novel! For the first group date of the season, Harlequin execs assigned each contestant a persona — including vampire, Southern belle, and cowgirl — and whisked them through hair, makeup, and wardrobe before delivering them to the set to strike a sexy pose with Bachelor Sean. Professional model Kristy won the challenge and was awarded a three-book cover deal with Harlequin. —ES

Viewers watch Celebrity Apprentice for the big personality clashes, and never was that more on display than last season's challenge that had the D-listers creating window displays — with clothes from Donald's daughter Ivanka's fashion line, natch — for Lord & Taylor. The lesson? Don't bet against Aubrey O'Day and Teresa Giudice. While both teams had their issues, the fashion challenge led the women to their first win of the season. Sorry, George Takei. —ES

Bravo's mixed-media competition always walked a fine line between commercialism and fine art — but those worlds collided directly in this challenge, as contestants were tasked with creating something commercially viable yet worthy of being shown in a gallery. Several artists elected to design items of clothing, including t-shirts, accessories, and even pairs of underwear — and for one brief, shining moment, it was almost as if Project Runway had never left Bravo. Sigh!—HB

Designers on reality television shows have learned to expect the unexpected, but nothing could have prepared them for a challenge that kicked off with the contestants opening a trunk to discover live snakes! Alas, it was just a creepy way of letting the contestants know they'd be designing with snakeskin-print fabric. The winners of round one each received a second box, reluctantly opening them to find...kittens! And a cat-inspired challenge for round two. —ES

Rami Kashou never met a fabric he didn't love to drape, which was to his disadvantage during a challenge that featured the contestants creating a prom dress for a specific high schooler. Kashou's creation was, in judge Michael Kors' words, better suited for a ''35-year-old woman in New York going out to dinner,'' which led a frustrated Kashou to explain that he didn't have prom growing up in Jerusalem. But he must have seen a prom dress prior to 2008, yes? —ES