Designers, can I have your attention? Tim Gunn here, so gather round. Before we go off to Lincoln Center, I want to introduce our special guests from Naples, Florida, who just flew in by private jet to be here with us. Your challenge this week is to design a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these two lovely people that will culminate at our Season 7 “Project Runway” finale at New York’s Fashion Week where they’ll meet up with Heidi backstage. Now, in a minute, our guests are expected at the Frederic Fekkai Hair Salon to get a blowout and style. After they freshen up at the luxurious apartment at Trump International, where they are staying, Lexus is going to whisk them to a whirlwind of designer shows and fab dinners.

Now listen up, people! Don’t forget to make the most of the accessory wall as you complete your final fittings. And be daring! I’d hate to see you play it safe and miss out on winning. These two lovely people from Naples, Florida were very daring in their outrageously generous bidding at the Naples Winter Wine Festival just days ago to win the chance to be here. So respect their courage and do the same with your collections.

Designers…remember. Don’t bore Nina…because our executive producer, Desiree Gruber, will be watching, and by the way, since she is hosting our guests, her husband, “Desperate Housewives” star Kyle MacLachlan, will be presenting them with two personally signed bottles of his tasty “... pursued by bear” Cabernet Sauvignon. Then Tom Colicchio—whom you all know from “Top Chef”—is going to host them in style for dinner at his fabulous restaurant, Craft. And another night, the winners will enjoy dinner in the comfort of the apartment delivered by award-winning restaurant, Jean-Georges. Or with advance notice, an in-suite chef will be arranged to prepare culinary specialties in the kitchen and present a gourmet meal course by course! Do NOT ask our guests to bring you back leftovers or to taste their collectible wines. That’s as tacky as the gowns that sent your fellow contestants packing.

So, designers, carry on, as our friends are off to see the Michael Kors runway show, along with one or two other collections, before enjoying our finale with Heidi. Then as most of you hear “you’re out,” they will leave in style with their brand new St. JOHN Croco luggage, and back in Naples, be draped head-to-toe in Michael Kors and wined and dined at a cocktail reception at the St. JOHN Boutique.

OK. You have your challenge. Make it work, people.

Insider's Info: Trip to be taken February 11-13, 2010. Winning bidders will have the opportunity to extend their stay in New York at their own expense, or attend either the Michael Kors’ 2011 Spring Presentation in September, 2010 or the 2011 Fall Presentation in February, 2011. Meeting with Tom Colicchio at Craft is based upon his availability. The two (2) bottles of “…pursued by bear” Cabernet Sauvignon will be at the apartment upon the winning bidder’s arrival and are to be enjoyed either with the in-suite dining experience or to be taken home as mementos.

Donor: Desiree Gruber of Full Picture, Kyle MacLachlan, Denise & Brian Cobb, Lexus, Marissa Collections, St. JOHN Boutique and Tom Colicchio of Craft
Private air transportation donated by Travel Management Company, Ltd. and Karen & Bob Scott