When we read the first sentence of Sarah Hoye’s story on Ben Chmura a couple of weeks ago, we had to go back and read it again, because we hardly ever see the phrase “Tampa fashion designer” and it made us a little giddy.  A Fashion Designer who actually fashion designs here in Tampa?  One just doesn’t hear about them very often.

In fact, the only other Tampa designer we know anything about is Judy Tampa, whose eponymous label –and gorgeous pieces-- have been making us proud for a few years now (you can find them at Deborah Kent’s on South Dale Mabry). 

But Ms. Tampa (who was once Judy Hargraves) is more of the kind of boutique designer one might expect to find here in Tampa.  Self-taught, and with a background in the visual arts and music, Judy doesn’t come from the Fashion Establishment.  (“Judy Tampa” was a stage name long before it was a label.) Rather, she’s a talented sewer and designer who, after living in New York and California, has returned to her hometown, and has been quietly turning out wonderful collections for several seasons now. 

But Ben Chmura is a different story.  As soon as you hit his personal Myspace page ("Where the hell is my chiffon?!?") you know you’re dealing with a strong creative force.  And you don’t get much more Fashion Establishment than Ben:  After attending Dunedin High (okay, not a fashion mecca, but it gets better) he got his B.F.A. at Savannah College of Art and Design, where his senior thesis caught the eye of none other than Vogue’s editor-at-large, HRH Andre Leon Talley.  (Whose name, when it comes to the fashion world, is second only Anna Wintour’s in the gasp-producing department.)

With that auspicious launch, he spent two years in New York City designing for several big-name menswear lines before deciding to leave the country to go to grad school.  But first, he came back to Tampa, presumably for a little R & R before heading overseas.  Luckily for us, he never left.  (This town does have that effect on people, doesn’t it?) He ended up bagging grad school to stay and design his own collection. 

But can sleepy ole Tampa really be a home to this kind of designer, not to mention the talented photographer who has partnered with him, Ryan Prado?  According to Ben Chmura, it can.  He told me:

“I really think that this is a business that could survive here in Tampa, due to it’s originality. Tampa has grown so much in the 3 years that I’ve been here, that I really think it’s ready to see what the fashion design community here has to offer. There are a few of us here that are really determined to create a fashion ‘hub’…. I’ve enjoyed designing clothes for years and with me just starting to develop a women’s collection, I think Tampa is eager to see something new and individual.”

Well, we love what we’ve seen of Ben’s work so far, even though we were heartbroken that we had to miss his Ozmapolitan show the Saturday before last.  We’re mad for that deep, bluish Emerald City green, and Prado’s photos are amazing.  We just wish Glenda The Good Witch would come and magic-wand those emerald slippers off that model and give them to us.

Because we’ll take Ozmapolitan green--and home-grown couture--over rubies any day.