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Ben Chmura
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 Episode 8.
Exit Interview: Episode 8
Extended Judging of Ben Chmura, Ep...
Tim Critiques Ben Chmura: Episode ...
Ben Chmura Video Blog: Episode 8
Tim Critiques Ben Chmura: Episode ...
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
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: BEN'S TAKE
1 of 54 questionsWhat 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 questionsWhat 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 questionsWhen 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 questionsFavorite designer(s)?Nicolas Ghesquiere, Marc Jacobs, Proenza Schouler, Alexander McQueen, Martin Margiela, Hedi Slimane. -
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5 of 54 questionsCurrent occupation?Designer. -
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6 of 54 questionsCan 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 questionsWhat is a fashion must?At least one really good vintage designer piece. -
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8 of 54 questionsWhat is your design training?BFA in Fashion Design from Savannah College of Art and Design. -
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9 of 54 questionsHave 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 questionsWhat are your strengths as a designer?Woven dresses with a retro-futuristic element; also contemporary menswear. -
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: BEN'S TAKE
11 of 54 questionsWhat 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. -
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: BEN'S TAKE
12 of 54 questionsWhat's influenced your designs over the years?Comic book illustration, sci-fi movies and, most of all, music! -
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: BEN'S TAKE
13 of 54 questionsWhat'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 questionsWhat'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 questionsDo 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 questionsDo 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 questionsWhat 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 questionsWhat's your biggest fear as a designer?To not make it in some way in the industry. -
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19 of 54 questionsWhat fashion faux pas drives you crazy?Uggs and Crocs. -
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20 of 54 questionsWhat'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 questionsWho are your favorite style icons?I know it's cliche, but Madonna has been an amazing style icon for the past couple of decades. -
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: BEN'S TAKE
22 of 54 questionsHow would you dress first lady Michelle Obama?An evening look that incorporated my retro-futuristic style. -
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: BEN'S TAKE
23 of 54 questionsWhat 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. -
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: BEN'S TAKE
24 of 54 questionsWho's your supermodel muse?Coco Rocha. -
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25 of 54 questionsWhat 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 questionsIf 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 questionsIf you weren't designing, you'd be . . .A comic book illustrator. -
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28 of 54 questionsDream 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 questionsAny other cultures or places you wish you could design for?Does the Moon count? -
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30 of 54 questionsHow 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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31 of 54 questionsHow 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 questionsCan 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 questionsMarriage or kids?Married to my husband Bobby, eight months. No kids. -
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34 of 54 questionsDo you have any pets?Malfi, a one-year-old Scottish terrier. -
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35 of 54 questionsDo 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 questionsWhy 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 questionsWhat's your favorite hangout back home?Besides our home, it would have to be Czar nightclub. -
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38 of 54 questionsWhat are your hobbies besides designing?Reading and watching movies and TV (good inspiration for me). -
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39 of 54 questionsWhat are your favorite movies?Serial Mom, Party Girl, Velvet Goldmine, Grey Gardens, and anything fashion-related. -
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40 of 54 questionsWhat are your favorite TV shows?Heroes and Gossip Girl. -
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41 of 54 questionsWhat 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 questionsWhat are your favorite websites?Vip Music Blog, FashionIndie.com & WWD. -
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43 of 54 questionsiPhone or BlackBerry?Neither, I love the T-Mobile Android G-1. -
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44 of 54 questionsFast 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 questionsCooking 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 questionsFavorite food?I love Polish/Eastern European food. And I LOVE Italian! -
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47 of 54 questionsBeer or wine?Beer: Boddington's or Yuengling. -
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48 of 54 questionsGuiltiest 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 questionsBiggest pet peeve?Someone who eats the last of your food without asking. -
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50 of 54 questionsFavorite designer from past seasons of Project Runway?I really liked Jay McCarroll. -
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51 of 54 questionsProject 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 questionsProject 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! -
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: BEN'S TAKE
53 of 54 questionsYour take on team challenges . love them?Love the idea of two people coming up with something neither would have done on their own. -
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: BEN'S TAKE
54 of 54 questionsHow 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?
!["How I Met Your Mother"](http://mylt.ltcdn.com/d6/sites/mylifetime.com/files/images/imagecache/carousel_159x119/2011/01/12/HIMYM-159x119.jpg ""How I Met Your Mother"")
