BPR: Hi Ben!
BM: Hey Laura, how are you?
BPR: Our readers strongly disagree with your elimination.
BM: i am so blown away by how many people disagreed with Heidi, Nina, Rachel Roy, Joan and Melissa... i was shocked too, but i'm breathing again now! It means so much to have everyone on my side...
BPR: If you could go back, would you do anything differently?
BM: you know, i did become aware of the tight fit across Holly's shoulders, and in retrospect maybe i would have made the dress go to the floor like a long column, but i was trying to cater to my client and she wanted a fun party dress. One day does not allow for the usual creative process to unfold naturally.
BPR: Did you watch last night's episode?
BM: i did! i am in Sydney at the moment so i watched it via a skype call with my good friend Samantha! It was so funny to watch it together! I love Sam.
BPR: Was there anything that surprised you?
BM: Holly being so FRISKY surprised me! Did you see when she slapped Stan's butt?! Hilarious! You know the biggest surprise was Heidi's extreme turn around in her attitude towards me?!? She said i had constantly been in the bottom??!?, yet my NYC dress (Ep1) was highly commended, my flower dress had the "highest possible score" from Bette Midler and my Miranda Lambert dress had Nina claiming it was a "beautiful dress!" with all the judges gushing about it to Miss Lambert? So that really surprised me.. maybe the producers had a word in her ear??! Basically though, she contradicted herself. I could feel in my heart that something was not right during that judging.
BPR: Have you worked with real-world clients before?
BM: Yes i have had a lot of experience working on bespoke pieces for "real-world" clients. Ranging from wedding dresses to red carpet looks for my own brand and for other brands. I will continue to do so with my current project NARCISSUS enquiries: studio@narcissuswoman.com
BPR: Did the "team" format benefit or hurt you in any way?
BM: I have worked in some stellar teams in my career and i thrive on being a part of a team as you can achieve a high level of greatness! The team format on Project Runway has NO relation to how teams are operated in the fashion industry. I think the concept was a brilliant idea to show a different perspective of how fashion is created, but perhaps the producers needed to do some more research into how the industry operates... Personally it really put me off on the wrong track because i spent too much time trying to adapt to a situation that wasn't actually realistic to begin with. I did my best with the situation i was placed in and i wish i could have shown you more.. but there is always the real world for that with a REAL team!!
BPR: Who is your best friend from the cast?
BM: I am dear friends with so many of the cast - i think we are really lucky to have all got along so well. The most positive aspect of the "teams" set up i think is that it really did bring us together and we developed a true respect for each other quickly. My roommate on the show was Joe and he and i have a true friendship outside of the show. I love almost everyone from my season though!
BPR: Which was your favorite challenge?
BM: Honestly, the Heidi challenge should have been my favourite challenge because i truly felt it was made for me to win... but i just didn't expect all that emotional stuff to come up at that time and it threw me against the wall and i just never stood up tall again, i became painfully distracted... by the time the Miranda Lambert challenge came around i was going full steam ahead (what you don't know is it was only about 4-5 days after the Heidi challenge!!) and i killed it with that dress!!
BPR: Where are you living now?
BM: I am living in NYC - though at the moment i am visiting my family in Sydney for some much needed quality time.
BPR: What do you like to do in your spare time?
BM: Fill out Q&As... HA! just kidding... in Sydney i go to the beach.. i am happiest when i am floating in the ocean! Otherwise i love to dance so you might see me out and about in NYC soon...
BPR: What are you working on now?
BM: I have a few projects i am focused on, my main project is my brand NARCISSUS. i am working on ideas for a ready-to-wear collection for SS14 but i need financial backing if it is really going to get off the ground so look out for the launch of my Kickstarter style campaign soon - an announcement will be made on Twitter @Benjamin_Mach ..also speaking at some fashion schools in April and working on some ideas for future TV/media projects! You can go to my Etsy shop for limited edition releases too, every purchase funds the big RTW collection i am working on.
BPR: What is the best thing about appearing on Project Runway?
BM: It is a surreal experience and the best thing has been making some really good quality friendships with fellow creative people.. also the launch it has given me in a new country is really positive. I am excited to call NYC my new home.
BPR: Ben, we are almost out of time, is there anything else you would like to say to your fans?
BM: Know what suits your personality, your body shape and your colouring and work with that.. not all fashion is made for all people but there IS always something out there to suit you. Don't jump on to trends thinking they will make you "fashionably cool", adapt them into who you are and you will always look good because fashion is an expression of who you are, if you're dripping head to toe in trends you'll be lost!!! ....and just because i'm auf'ed doesn't mean i disappear - WATCH THIS SPACE!
Thanks xB
Thank you Ben!
