Ben Chmura is one of the many talented designers that wowed the Project Runway judges in season 7.  Chmura is a able to bring together science fiction and comic books creating a retro-futuristic look that he is so well-known for. Continue reading to learn more about this talented designer.

How long have you been a designer?

I’ve been a designer for almost 9 years now, since graduating from Savannah College of Art & Design.

If you were not designing what is another career path do you think you may have selected?

I probably would have followed my original career path and become a comic ... Read More »]]>

Ben Chmura is one of the many talented designers that wowed the Project Runway judges in season 7.  Chmura is a able to bring together science fiction and comic books creating a retro-futuristic look that he is so well-known for. Continue reading to learn more about this talented designer.

How long have you been a designer?

I’ve been a designer for almost 9 years now, since graduating from Savannah College of Art & Design.

If you were not designing what is another career path do you think you may have selected?

I probably would have followed my original career path and become a comic book illustrator. I still have a passion for sketching and developing the idea of “characters.”

How does Florida fashion differ from New York?

Florida fashion is bit harder for indie-designers because consumers don’t necessarily look for them here. They seem to have a history of looking for either established designers or mall shopping because of its convenience. You also can’t design too fashion forward because it can end up working against you. Florida fashion is about wear-ability and not necessarily about concept, as most designers are trained. I feel lucky that I have had a few consistent clients that have purchased some of pieces in the last few years.

For someone that is pursuing a career in fashion design what advice would you give them?

I would tell them to listen to your instinct. It’s important to listen to your customer, but don’t change who you are as a result of it. If you keep editing due to feedback, you’ll end up losing what you had to begin with. It’s a fickle industry and not everyone will love what you do. If you’re able to hold up and maintain a thick skin to continue, then you’re definitely meant for this industry.

Your designs have been described as retro-futuristic, what inspires these looks?

My work is usually inspired by retro influences or elements and the juxtaposition of making that element modern through fabric or color. I’m a huge fan of taking literary works and reinterpreting them for modern times. Usually, through my research I end up coming across other elements that relate and make the collections multi-faceted, rather than one-dimensional. Music, sci-fi, comics, movies, architecture and historic fashion definitely make an influence on my designs as well

What’s you’re a favorite comic book?

My all-time favorite comic book series would have to be  WildC.A.T.S. It’s a great blend of sci-fi, supernatural and reality. Plus, the costumes were incredible and the character development that went into the story was really interesting. The bonus was that Jim Lee illustrated and created the comic and he is legendary.

If you could design a costume/dress for any female comic book character whom would it be and why?

There’s a character from the WildC.A.T.S story line named Voodoo. She is a gifted woman who has the ability called “the sight,” which basically means that she is sensitive to spiritual elements and forces around her. But, her character was a very confident and modern woman that is the type of woman that I have in mind when I design.

It’s been said that Proenza Schouler and Marc Jacobs are a few designers that you admire.  What do you love about each designer?

I have to add one more designer to my list of role models and that would be Nicholas Ghesquiere from Balenciaga because I feel that he has created such a unique direction for the house and really stayed true to the originality of the creator himself, while designing collections that have moved it into the future. I’m a huge fan and would love to be on his creative team! Proenza Schouler are such talented guys and have such a unique vision. March Jacobs understands how to transform eclectic ideas into covetable fashion. They all don’t take fashion too seriously and I admire that about them. They understand that’s not just creativity, but a business. I hope to become as evenly balanced as they are in my work.

Learn More About Ben

My Life Time

Face Book Fan Page www.facebook.com/benchmurafanpage

MySpace

The Examiner

Being the offspring of fashionista, Nadia Murdock has always had a passion for fashion.  She decided to put her passion to work two years ago and launched Manchester Public Relations www.manchesterpublicrelations.com. Nadia is the Public Relations Director for Chic Galleria magazine and works in New York City.

When did you know you wanted to become a model?

I never had a dream of becoming a model. Growing up, my family didn’t have money especially after the war, the situation in Croatia was very bad. My parents couldn’t find a job and it was getting worse and worse. When I ... Read More »]]> As the recent winner of  “Project Runway” Season 7 Kristina Sajko has walked in many runway shows but one of her proudest moments was being able to walk during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in New York. Continue reading to learn more about Kristina and how she got her start as a model.

When did you know you wanted to become a model?

I never had a dream of becoming a model. Growing up, my family didn’t have money especially after the war, the situation in Croatia was very bad. My parents couldn’t find a job and it was getting worse and worse. When I was 15, my uncle and I went to visit his best friend named Hamed. He is the owner of the biggest modeling agency in Croatia called “Midikenn”.  At the time he wanted me to model, but I wasn’t interested. I thought I was too young to get separated from my family and to travel the world and work. I wanted to finish my schooling and hang out with my friends so I said “No!”  After I finished school I tried to find the best way to help my family. One day  I was standing at the tram station with a friend.  I was talking about how I should maybe go back to Hamed and his agency and ask him if he was still interested in representing me. I also never left Croatia so I wanted to travel the world really badly. As I was talking to my friend, I saw someone in a car at the red light waving at me – it was Hamed. Unbelievable! He asked me to call him, which I did the very next day. First thing he told me when he answered the phone was: “Are you finally ready to work as a model?”

What is your most memorable moment as a professional model?

OMG there are so many! I think one of the most memorable moments was when Hamed called me one day and told me: “Congratulations, you are in the Top 50 most soted models in the world”. I was so happy, it meant a lot to me!

What do admire most about Josipa Lisac?

I can’t believe you’re asking me this question, I LOVE her style. Watching her on TV and in the magazines as a kid I was always impressed with her style, her ability to wear whatever she wanted and always look amazing. One thing I learned from her, is to always feel comfortable in everything you wear.

What do you love most about Croatia?

Everything! When you say Croatia, first thing I think of is my family! I miss them and love them so much! Then I think of my friends I grew up with. I think of the beautiful beaches on the Adriatic sea and amazing food…Croatia is so beautiful!

What new and exciting projects do you have coming up?

I’ve been going to many castings and I have a lot of options for very cool and exciting jobs. Right now I’m waiting for confirmations so I don’t know for sure. But I have to say that I’ve been working so much since the “Project Runway” and “Models of the Runway” aired. I’ve been booking job after job. Most of the clients watch the show and they recognize me at the castings so they book me for all the jobs. There are few big jobs I’m booked for but I’m not allowed to talk about them. You’ll see when the time comes!

Get to Know Kristina!

Kristina’s Video Blog: Model Kristina gives her take on the Season Finale of “Project Runway”

“Models of the Runway”: Kristina shares her excitment about wearing the winning look in episode 5.

Kristina at Home: Take a look at Kristina’s home visit!

Being the offspring of fashionista, Nadia Murdock has always had a passion for fashion.  She decided to put her passion to work two years ago and launched Manchester Public Relations www.manchesterpublicrelations.com. Nadia is the Public Relations Director for Chic Galleria magazine and works in New York City.

Lifetime Television and The Weinstein Company Season Two of Models of the Runway launches at 11:00PM ET/PT, beginning January 14, 2010, with 16 fresh faces aspiring for their chance at being paired with the last Project Runway designer standing on the catwalk.  Models of the Runway provides a back-stage look at Project Runway from the models’ perspective.  The winning model will receive a $25,000 cash prize from L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional make-up line and will also be featured in the designer’s fashion ... Read More »]]> 16 New Models to Walk the Catwalk on Second Season of MODELS OF THE RUNWAY

Lifetime Television and The Weinstein Company Season Two of Models of the Runway launches at 11:00PM ET/PT, beginning January 14, 2010, with 16 fresh faces aspiring for their chance at being paired with the last Project Runway designer standing on the catwalk.  Models of the Runway provides a back-stage look at Project Runway from the models’ perspective.  The winning model will receive a $25,000 cash prize from L’Oréal Paris Studio Secrets Professional make-up line and will also be featured in the designer’s fashion spread in Marie Claire.

L’Oréal Paris cosmetics line and the haircare, styling and haircolor brand Garnier will return to serve as the official category partners for both series. 

In addition, Project Runway and Models of the Runway will be in High-Definition, where available, for the first time.  Both series are produced by The Weinstein Company, Miramax Films, Bunim-Murray Productions and Full Picture.

The Models of the Runway Season Two contestants are:

• Alexis Broker – Hometown: Denver, CO; Resides in Highlands Ranch, CO
• Alison Gingerich – Hometown: Leesburg, OH; Resides in Los Angeles, CA
• Brandise Danesewich – Hometown: Saskatchewan, Canada; Resides in Los Angeles, CA
• Brittany Oldehoff - Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL; Resides in Miami, FL
• Cerri McQuillan – Hometown: Dublin, Ireland; Resides in New York, NY
• Elizaveta Melnitchenko – Hometown: Salzburg, Austria; Resides in Los Angeles, CA
• Holly Ridings – Hometown: Roscoe, IL; Resides in Los Angeles, CA
• Kasey Ashcraft – Hometown: Salisbury, MD; Resides in Los Angeles, CA/Miami, FL
• Kelly Gervais - Hometown: Livingston, NJ; Resides in Haledon, NJ
• Kristina Sajko – Hometown: Zagreb, Croatia; Resides in Los Angeles, CA
• Lorena Angjeli – Hometown: Albania; Resides in New York, NY
• Megan Davis – Hometown: Des Moines, IA; Resides in Los Angeles, CA
• Monique Darton – Hometown: Brainerd, MN; Resides in New York, NY
• Sarah Bell – Hometown: Cincinnati, OH; Resides in Los Angeles, CA
• Sophia Lee – Hometown: Taipei, Taiwan; Resides in Los Angeles, CA
• Valeria Leonova – Hometown: Tula, Russia; Resides in New York, NY

Lifetime Digital’s Project Runway Season Seven and Models of the Runway Season Two web sites launch with robust content offerings to introduce the new designers and models. The Designer Portfolio highlights the designers’ work and inspirations before their participation in the series – and will feature sketches and final designs for each design in every episode once the season begins.  The sites will also feature a series of short-form videos that give a glimpse into the lives of the designers and models.  Each designer will be highlighted in four videos including a home visit, a closet tour, the audition tape and the casting tape.  Model videos include a home visit and closet tour.  Additional details about Lifetime Digital’s in-season offerings for Project Runway and Models of the Runway will be announced in January.

Photo Credit: Kannie Yu LaPack, Lifetime Entertainment Services

Fashionista University(www.fashionistauniversity.com) is a whole new kind of education for the up-and-coming trendsetters of the fashion world.  Starting this January, middle-school through college-aged students will have the opportunity to take a variety of “Saturday’s only”-seven week, hands on courses where they will learn the ins and outs of the fashion business including design, publicity, wardrobe styling/costume design, event planning, jewelry/accessory design and more. Run by fashion designers Kathlin Argiro and Courtney Zellmer and Publicity guru Gwen Wunderlich-Smith, Fashionista University gives students a Project Runway meets Gossip Girl real world approach, with celebrity, editor and guest designer appearances as well as access to fashion shows, showroom ... Read More »]]>

Fashionista University(www.fashionistauniversity.com) is a whole new kind of education for the up-and-coming trendsetters of the fashion world.  Starting this January, middle-school through college-aged students will have the opportunity to take a variety of “Saturday’s only”-seven week, hands on courses where they will learn the ins and outs of the fashion business including design, publicity, wardrobe styling/costume design, event planning, jewelry/accessory design and more. Run by fashion designers Kathlin Argiro and Courtney Zellmer and Publicity guru Gwen Wunderlich-Smith, Fashionista University gives students a Project Runway meets Gossip Girl real world approach, with celebrity, editor and guest designer appearances as well as access to fashion shows, showroom events, publishing houses, TV stations and more! Fashionista University provides tools teens need to turn their dreams into a reality and break in to the world of fashion with opportunities and experiences beyond anything they ever imagined.

SAMPLE COURSES:

Fashion Design 101

Over the 7-week course students will get a firsthand account of running a small business in the fashion industry from designers Kathlin Argiro and Courtney Zellmer.  Students will learn how to create a collection from start to finish- from inspiration to presentation and everything in between using examples from Kathlin’s own collection, high-profile guest speakers, and actually take steps toward creating their own line.  Students will learn about fabrics and how to use them, color stories, sketching basic fashion figures, story boards, presenting their collection and themselves as designers and much more.

P.R. Prep 101

Fashionista’s who are on top of the latest trends in the world of fashion and celebrities and are interested in being a part of the buzz, glitz and glamour are perfect for this crash course in the exciting field of public relations.  Gwen Wunderlich of Wunderlich Inc. will help students begin their journey to becoming the next “it” publicist by sharing her expertise in the field including her background of starting her own company from the ground up. Throughout the seven weeks Gwen will introduce different aspects of the business that will help each student develop their interests in the field and show them the necessity of being connected.  Students can expect field trips to the city’s hottest spots including a trip to the fashionista holy land – New York Fashion Week.

For the first Winter semester starting Saturday January 16^th 2010 Fashionista University is offering these two separate classes above allowing students to focus on where their true passion lies or participate in both courses giving them the ability to gain a better understanding of different aspects of the industry to ensure they are going down the right path toward their dream career. The Spring Semester featuring additional courses starts March 20^th 2010. Please Support the future of fashion by letting young fashionistas everywhere know about this amazing program so they can have a chance to dabble in the fast-paced, glamorous, exciting, down and dirty ins and outs of the industry and take their passion for fashion to the next level!

For more information and registration please visit www.fashionistauniversity.com Tell them Chic Galleria sent you and you will receive a $100 discount!