Entertainment Tonight ET Online ETOnline.com

The Project Runway producers faced an unusual problem when preparing their second All Stars cycle as the returning designers had previously been through this experience and watched the first batch of second-timers attempt redemption. Therefore, the challenges needed to be even more outside the box than they normally are.

EXCLUSIVE CLIP: Project Runway: All Stars

Thankfully the producers were more than up to that task, according to new judge Carolyn Murphy! "I was blown away by the unconventional challenges the designers were presented with this year," Murphy told ETonline, teasing one "spectacular" Christmas-themed challenge. "I was not only impressed with the challenges, but with what the designers turned out. The challenges this season are a mix of creativity, inspiration, compassion – we really run the gamut."

But challenges are only half the draw as loyal viewers are also excited to see some of their favorites (and not-so-favorites) return to their reality roots! "We go back to the very beginning this season with Wendy Pepper," Murphy says of the season one finalist. "That was kind of nostalgic, but I did worry with some about dealing with their big personalities. Then I reminded myself, they're All Stars for a reason!"

Watch a supertease of Project Runway: All Stars and tune in to the season premiere tonight at 9 p.m. on Lifetime.