In an unexpected twist, the remaining nine designers on "Project Runway" Season 6 get a whole new crop of models: divorcées wearing their wedding dresses.

The challenge: transform the bridal gowns into hip, cool ensembles the women can wear into the next chapter of their lives, while still keeping the integrity of the original dresses.

Because the wedding looks ran the gamut -- from tulle and lace overload to modern and minimalist -- the designers had greatly varying amounts of material to work with. And for some, it wasn't much, even when paired with a supplemental two yards from Mood Fabrics.

"I got nothin' to work with: no applique, no beading, no fabric" said Shirin Askari, whose "model" was hoping for a Cher "Half-Breed" moment to be salvaged from her sleek, simple gown. Askari's only solution was lots of peacock feathers.

Other designers have their challenges as well. Nicolas Putvinski had to transform a peasant-looking dress into a petite, cruelty-free outfit. "It's one of the most hideous garments I've ever made," Putvinski admitted. Logan Nietzel's divorcee didn't want another dress; she doesn't wear them.

Others met the challenge with aplomb. Two-time winner Irina Shabayeva deftly turned her 100 percent acetate, 100 percent lace, 100 percent huge gown into a subtle, silvery feminine frock. (The other designers feel that Shabeyeva is just a little too smug.) Gordana Gelhausen pulled off a sophisticated asymmetrical using the dress' lining, which she turned into dove grey strips.

"Nobody's going home from lack of talent. That's for sure," said Carol Hannah Whitfield. But this was a challenge that could take down even the strongest remaining designers.

More than a few tears were shed, particularly by Askari who was done in by her peacock feathers. Tim Gunn did a masterful job of encouraging her. "You need to be liberated from this," he said gesturing at her Cher-like failure.

Designer judge Michael Kors and Marie Claire Senior Fashion Editor Zanna Roberts were familiar faces, but new blood Tamara Mellon, founder and director of Jimmy Choo, added a frisson of coolness to the panel. And it was a tough judging crowd the designers had to face.

They unanimously ridiculed both Epperson's cinched dress and Nietzel's pants-and-frilly-top combo as "too Oktoberfest." As for Christopher Straub's shiny bubble mini dress, Kors said, "She looks like tin foil."

Askari pulled off a miracle by embellishing her simple white dress with thread and was commended for listening to her inner designer.

It looked like Shabayeva was going to walk away with a third win, considering how the judges cooed over her entry, but happily, modest Gelhausen walked away the victor.

"Now I'm not only going to be known as a seamstress," she proclaimed. Neitzel and Epperson were left at the bottom.

And Epperson was out. True, his "pirate wench" frock wasn't his best work ever, but it's looking more and more like Logan is getting by on his looks.

Tune into Project Runway Thursdays at 10 ET/PT on Lifetime and then catch our post-show recap here.