Ben Chmura

OUT 03/11/2010

Age: 30

Hometown: South Meriden, CT

Profession: Designer

Favorite Designer: Nicolas Ghesquiere and Marc Jacobs

BEN'S SCORECARD

The Elements of Fashion: Out
View Ben's scorecard

Exit Interview: Episode 8

Designer exit interview: Episode 8. See which designer failed to impress the judges in the challenge to create a look inspired by one of nature's four elements, and was voted off on "Project Runway" Season 7..

BEN'S DESIGN IN EPISODE 8: The Elements of Fashion

The designers must create a look inspired by one of the four natural elements. Guest Judge: Roland Mouret. Aired March 11 at 10 pm et/pt

Tim Gunn's Workroom

See what Tim says about Ben
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OVERALL RATING:1.8 /5
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Alison

OVERALL RATING 2.5 / 5
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: BEN'S TAKE
1 of 54 questions
What was the first garment you ever made?

For my Intro to Fashion class, a collection inspired by two Matisse paintings.
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2 of 54 questions
What is your music of choice when designing?

Everything from Roisin Murphy and The Presets to Britney Spears, Arcade Fire and Santogold.
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3 of 54 questions
When did you realize you had designer potential?

Junior year of college, when a professor from Paris showed confidence in me as a designer.
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4 of 54 questions
Favorite designer(s)?

Nicolas Ghesquiere, Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Alexander McQueen, Martin Margiela, Hedi Slimane.
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5 of 54 questions
Current occupation?

Designer.
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6 of 54 questions
Can you describe past jobs you've had?

Freelanced for Express Men's, Club Monaco, Ralph Lauren, TSE cashmere and American Eagle.
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7 of 54 questions
What is a fashion must?

At least one really good vintage designer piece.
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8 of 54 questions
What is your design training?

BFA in Fashion Design from Savannah College of Art and Design.
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9 of 54 questions
Have you won any awards related to design?

Creative Loafing's Best of the Bay award in Tampa for Best Local Clothing Designer in 2007.
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10 of 54 questions
What are your strengths as a designer?

Woven dresses with a retro-futuristic element; also contemporary menswear.
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11 of 54 questions
What are your weaknesses as a designer?

I don't always know when to stop. I take on many projects at once, thinking that I can do it all.
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12 of 54 questions
What's influenced your designs over the years?

Comic book illustration, sci-fi movies and, most of all, music!
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13 of 54 questions
What's your favorite material or fabric to work with?

Woven fabrics, especially silk noil and silk linens, and raw, natural fibers.
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14 of 54 questions
What's the item you're most proud of designing?

No one particular item; I'm proud of it all in some way.
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15 of 54 questions
Do you prefer sketching or draping?

Eight times out of 10, I sketch. Sometimes I like the idea of draping to have that organic process.
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16 of 54 questions
Do you prefer patterns or solids?

Both! I love mixing patterns, textures, colors. I love to color-block my designs as well.
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17 of 54 questions
What are your favorite colors?

I'm definitely a sucker for black, but I also love reds and coppers.
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18 of 54 questions
What's your biggest fear as a designer?

To not make it in some way in the industry.
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19 of 54 questions
What fashion faux pas drives you crazy?

Uggs and Crocs.
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20 of 54 questions
What's the ugliest thing you've ever worn?

There have been many. I'd have to say my most ridiculous phase was my raver phase in college.
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21 of 54 questions
Who are your favorite style icons?

I know it's cliche, but Madonna has been an amazing style icon for the past couple of decades.
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22 of 54 questions
How would you dress first lady Michelle Obama?

An evening look that incorporated my retro-futuristic style.
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23 of 54 questions
What celebrity would you like to design for?

Rihanna would be at the top of my list! I'd love to do an amazing futuristic dress for her.
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24 of 54 questions
Who's your supermodel muse?

Coco Rocha.
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25 of 54 questions
What do you look for in a model?

A unique look that doesn't look like anything I've ever seen before.
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26 of 54 questions
If you had to name your label, you'd call it . . .

Ben Chmura. It's my name, and I like it.
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27 of 54 questions
If you weren't designing, you'd be . . .

A comic book illustrator.
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28 of 54 questions
Dream place to set up your design business?

NYC. Planning to move back and focus on getting back into the industry.
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29 of 54 questions
Any other cultures or places you wish you could design for?

Does the Moon count?
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30 of 54 questions
How were you described as a kid?

Quiet, introverted. Would always choose to stay inside and draw rather than go outside and play.
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How are you described now?

Loyal, outgoing but still a little reserved. Love to have a good time. Good listener.
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32 of 54 questions
Can you describe your family?

Typical New England family. Supportive of my art, and now my fashion career, since I was young.
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33 of 54 questions
Marriage or kids?

Married to my husband Bobby, eight months. No kids.
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34 of 54 questions
Do you have any pets?

Malfi, a one-year-old Scottish terrier.
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35 of 54 questions
Do you have any nicknames?

Chmura Lee, after Kimora Lee. It's a nickname from my best friends from college.
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36 of 54 questions
Why are you (or aren't you) easy to live with?

I'm pretty easygoing. I try to be practical. I'm not obnoxious and loud.
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37 of 54 questions
What's your favorite hangout back home?

Besides our home, it would have to be Czar nightclub.
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38 of 54 questions
What are your hobbies besides designing?

Reading and watching movies and TV (good inspiration for me).
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39 of 54 questions
What are your favorite movies?

Serial Mom, Party Girl, Velvet Goldmine, Grey Gardens, and anything fashion-related.
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40 of 54 questions
What are your favorite TV shows?

Heroes and Gossip Girl.
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41 of 54 questions
What are your favorite books and authors?

Ray Bradbury's The Martian Chronicles, Dostoyevsky's The Possessed, Aldous Huxley's Brave New World.
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42 of 54 questions
What are your favorite websites?

Vip Music Blog, FashionIndie.com & WWD.
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43 of 54 questions
iPhone or BlackBerry?

Neither, I love the T-Mobile Android G-1.
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44 of 54 questions
Fast food or gourmet?

Gourmet food is incredible; I could eat it every day. But fast food is definitely a guilty pleasure!
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45 of 54 questions
Cooking or takeout?

I actually love to cook. It makes me feel good to make a meal that other people enjoy.
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46 of 54 questions
Favorite food?

I love Polish/Eastern European food. And I LOVE Italian!
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47 of 54 questions
Beer or wine?

Beer: Boddington's or Yuengling.
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48 of 54 questions
Guiltiest pleasure?

Cadbury Mini Eggs. I get three or four huge bags each Easter so they'll last me a while.
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49 of 54 questions
Biggest pet peeve?

Someone who eats the last of your food without asking.
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50 of 54 questions
Favorite designer from past seasons of Project Runway?

I really liked Jay McCarroll.
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51 of 54 questions
Project Runway challenge you wish they'd bring back for your season?

The auto parts/interiors challenge! That was amazing!!!
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52 of 54 questions
Project Runway challenge you hope they don't bring back?

Anything with food! I can't imagine coming back the next day and seeing my look spoiled!
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53 of 54 questions
Your take on team challenges . love them?

Love the idea of two people coming up with something neither would have done on their own.
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54 of 54 questions
How did you end up auditioning for Project Runway?

Auditioned three times. Wasn't going to do it, but my husband and I said, What do I have to lose?