Ping Wu

OUT 01/28/2010

Hometown: Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China

Profession: Physical therapist, fashion designer and owner of Ping Wu Design Studio.

Favorite Designer: Issey Miyake and Hussein Chalayan

PING'S SCORECARD

The Highs and Lows of Fashion: Out
View Ping's scorecard

Exit Interview: Episode 3

The designer talks about winning the challenge to create a high-end signature look, in "Project Runway" Season 7 Episode 3.

PING'S DESIGN IN EPISODE 3: The Highs and Lows of Fashion

The designers must create a high-end signature look and a look-for-less inspired by another team’s design Guest Judge: Matthew Williamson Aired January 28 at 10 pm et/pt

Tim Gunn's Workroom

See what Tim says about Ping
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OVERALL RATING:2 /5
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OVERALL RATING 2.5 / 5
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: PING'S TAKE
1 of 52 questions
What was the first garment you ever made?

Translucent green cotton pants that I made eight years ago. I still wear them.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: PING'S TAKE
2 of 52 questions
What is your music of choice when designing?

None. I need absolute silence to concentrate when I think.
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3 of 52 questions
When did you realize you had designer potential?

2003 after attending Self Employment in the Arts at North Central College in Chicago.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: PING'S TAKE
4 of 52 questions
Favorite designer(s)?

Issey Miyake, Hussein Chalayan, Yohji Yamamoto, Ann Demeulemeester, Raf Simons and BLESS.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: PING'S TAKE
5 of 52 questions
Current occupation?

Physical therapist and fashion designer/business owner of Ping Wu Design Studio.
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6 of 52 questions
Can you describe past jobs you've had?

Design intern, assistant stylist, model, interpreter, reporter and freelance writer.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: PING'S TAKE
7 of 52 questions
What is a fashion must?

Reflect the time!
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8 of 52 questions
What is your design training?

Eight months at Istituto Marangon ai in Milan, Italy. Internships at Luisa Beccaria and BLESS.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: PING'S TAKE
9 of 52 questions
Have you won any awards related to design?

Semifinalist in Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation 2009 Competition, among other honors.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: PING'S TAKE
10 of 52 questions
What are your strengths as a designer?

Expertise in body and movement science, multiculturalism and a colorful personality.
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11 of 52 questions
What are your weaknesses as a designer?

Less professional training and experience in the industry than many other designers.
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12 of 52 questions
What's influenced your designs over the years?

My mom's simple elegance, my search for solutions to life's daily problems and Chinese Zen spirit.
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13 of 52 questions
What's your favorite material or fabric to work with?

For my collection I prefer organic natural fibers, but I'd love to work with high-tech materials too.
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14 of 52 questions
What's the item you're most proud of designing?

My first piece, because I made it without any training. It made me realize my design potential.
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15 of 52 questions
Do you prefer sketching or draping?

I prefer to directly work with fabrics, including draping them on my body in front of mirror.
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16 of 52 questions
Do you prefer patterns or solids?

It depends on the look I want to achieve, and the materials I have.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: PING'S TAKE
17 of 52 questions
What are your favorite colors?

They are all equally expressive and beautiful. Different colors give you different moods.
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18 of 52 questions
What's your biggest fear as a designer?

When I could no longer be original. Then it shall be the time I give up as a designer.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: PING'S TAKE
19 of 52 questions
What fashion faux pas drives you crazy?

That you have to look like someone else.
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20 of 52 questions
What's the ugliest thing you've ever worn?

I don't think I was ever ugly in anything I chose!
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21 of 52 questions
Who are your favorite style icons?

Coco Chanel, Victoria Beckham and Bjork.
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22 of 52 questions
How would you dress first lady Michelle Obama?

I would like to design a pajama-blanket for her to have some quality relaxing time at home.
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23 of 52 questions
What celebrity would you like to design for?

I would like to design for Meryl Streep, one of my favorite actresses.
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24 of 52 questions
Who's your supermodel muse?

Martha Graham, the mother of American modern dance. I could only dream of her modeling my clothes.
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25 of 52 questions
What do you look for in a model?

The ability to make the garment livable through her movements, attitude and facial expression.
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26 of 52 questions
If you had to name your label, you'd call it . . .

Ping Wu.
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27 of 52 questions
If you weren't designing, you'd be . . .

A cooking TV show host, actress, journalist/writer, world traveler and happy housewife.
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28 of 52 questions
Dream place to set up your design business?

Paris, New York, London and Copenhagen.
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29 of 52 questions
Any other cultures or places you wish you could design for?

I would love to design for other cultures. I'm especially intrigued by Africa and the Middle East.
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30 of 52 questions
How were you described as a kid?

Active, headstrong, inventive, competitive, funny and playful.
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31 of 52 questions
How are you described now?

Peppy, crazily funny, brutally honest, stupidly naive, passionate and definitely original.
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32 of 52 questions
Can you describe your family?

Almost every member of my family has their name in Chinese history in their own field.
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33 of 52 questions
Do you have any pets?

No. My only formal pet was a betta fish called Louis (named after French King Louis XIV).
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34 of 52 questions
Do you have any nicknames?

As a kid, Er-Ma-Po, which means tomboy in our dialect; now, Ping-Pong or The Ball of Energy.
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35 of 52 questions
Why are you (or aren't you) easy to live with?

I'm lovable, enjoy cooking, can adapt to any living conditions, but talk on the phone at odd hours.
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36 of 52 questions
What's your favorite hangout back home?

My favorite place is my own home, as I travel so much.
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37 of 52 questions
What are your hobbies besides designing?

Good conversations, exhibitions/art fairs, window shopping, knitting, cooking, BBQ and traveling.
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38 of 52 questions
What are your favorite movies?

The English Patient, The Reader and all films about Elizabeth I, like Elizabeth: The Golden Age.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: PING'S TAKE
39 of 52 questions
What are your favorite TV shows?

Man vs. Wild, any programs on Discovery Channel, History Channel and PBS.
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40 of 52 questions
What are your favorite websites?

Yahoomail.com, the website I check the most!
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41 of 52 questions
What are your favorite books and authors?

I haven't had time to read a book for a long time.
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42 of 52 questions
iPhone or BlackBerry?

I don't have them.
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43 of 52 questions
Fast food or gourmet?

Gourmet!
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44 of 52 questions
Cooking or takeout?

Cooking! Cooking for friends is a great pleasure, and a great old tradition to keep!
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45 of 52 questions
Favorite food?

Grandma's cooking, or any other homemade food.
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46 of 52 questions
Beer or wine?

I don't drink alcohol, so cranberry juice or a fake Mojito (mint leaves, Sprite and ice).
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47 of 52 questions
Biggest pet peeve?

Why don't I have a boyfriend!?
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48 of 52 questions
Favorite designer from past seasons of Project Runway?

I think all the final winners deserve their titles.
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49 of 52 questions
Project Runway challenge you hope they bring back for your season?

Using materials found in grocery stores and apartments and florist shops to make a garment.
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50 of 52 questions
Project Runway challenge you hope they don't bring back?

Making gala dresses after gala dresses. Too boring after a while!
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: PING'S TAKE
51 of 52 questions
Your take on team challenges?

You get combined strength, but it can be a disaster if teammates don't get along.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS: PING'S TAKE
52 of 52 questions
How did you end up auditioning for Project Runway?

I was looking for things to fill up my schedule. I applied the night before the deadline.