David Ciuper

21 years old

Hometown: Mount Laurel, NJ

The world of fashion is fast paced, demanding, and competitive. Since I was young, I knew that I wanted to be a part of the fashion industry. I am now at the point in life where my childhood dreams are becoming a reality. In a few short months, I will graduate from Philadelphia University with a Bachelor's Degree in Fashion Design, but before then, I will take great pleasure in experiencing real design challenges to help me learn more about my skills as a designer.

This is the reason I want to be a part of the 2008 season of "Runway Challenge." My goal is not to be a TV star or win a trip to a "fabulous international fashion capital," although that would definitely be a highlight in my life. Instead, I want to use this opportunity to challenge myself by creating new designs within a limited time frame in order to help me determine my strengths, weaknesses, and ultimately become a better designer.

I have the determination and drive to be successful in the future. I realize that success requires trying new things and learning from those experiences. I have always pushed myself to the limit in order to learn as much as possible, perfecting my techniques, and stretching my creativity. Having this chance to participate in Runway Challenge is the opportunity of a lifetime and will expose me to the pace, demands, and competitive spirit imbedded in the fashion industry, providing me with the chance to learn in a way that could never be accomplished in a classroom setting.