During her run in Project Runway, Jones placed in the top two in the first three challenges, winning the first two. She was accused of manipulating and bullying her team during one of the challenges.Tim Gunn Upset with Gretchen Jones and Team Luxe | Lifetime. YouTube (2010-08-27). Retrieved on 2015-12-21. Throughout the season, she admitted she got tired, and lost some of her inspiration. After struggling to regain her position at the top of the competition midway through the season, her collection at New York Fashion Week made her the winner of Season 8 in October 2010. The finale became memorable due to the longer-than-usual judging process and the heated debate between judges Michael Kors and Nina Garcia, who were clearly in favor of Gretchen's collection, and Heidi Klum and Jessica Simpson, who favored Mondo's collection over Gretchen's.Project Runway, Season 8 - Finale Pt. 2. Please Welcome Your Judges (2010-10-30). Retrieved on 2015-12-21. Jones is regarded as the most controversial winner of the series since Project Runway's inception.Gretchen Jones Sounds Off on Her "Project Runway" Win. myLifetime.com (2010-10-30). Retrieved on 2015-12-21. Tim Gunn among others has been a vocal critic of the decision made by the judges.Tim Gunn Talks Smack About Gretchen Jones Winning “Project Runway”. The Frisky (2011-05-13). Retrieved on 2015-12-21.
