He’s still got game - and talent

“I was surprised,’’ says Boston Fashion Week founder Jay Calderin. “I know that David has a great personality. He’s charming, he’s young, he’s vibrant, and most importantly, he’s talented. I thought he could play the game on a show like that and still show talent. He really is the best of both worlds.’’

After a grueling audition process with multiple interviews, the 29-year-old Chum says he was thrilled to be picked for the final 20 out of the thousands who auditioned for a spot on the ninth season of the show. Chum was recently awarded a grant from the local Emerging Designer Fund in recognition of his work, and has sold his work in boutiques and online.

“I feel like my focus isn’t just Boston and selling in Boston and making a name for myself in Boston,’’ he says. “My goal has always been the city and beyond since I started. I want to play with the big boys now. I want to show in New York.’’

Chum, 29, only recently began daydreaming of fashion stardom. After graduating from the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University, he focused primarily on making art. Two years ago, the perpetually restless Chum put the brush aside and learned how to sew. While primarily self taught, he found inspiration from his boyfriend’s grandmother, whom he describes as “a sophisticated Dior kind of lady.’’

“I was bored with painting,’’ he says. “And I went out and got some textbooks and I said I would teach myself how to do this. I challenged myself to launch a line that year. I launched my fall 2009 collection after that.’’

The abrupt switch is not unusual for Chum, who says his parents grew concerned with his lack of focus during his high school years. He experimented with sewing, but also art, violin, and piano. He was also an overachiever in academics.

Despite the “Runway’’ setback, Chum will continue working on his structured designs out of his Arlington studio. He’ll show at Styleweek Providence on Sept. 3, and says he is planning an event at the Liberty Hotel for early September. Meanwhile, Boston’s fashion community is still surprised about the early elimination.

“The judges looked at his collection on the rack, and from a distance,’’ says fellow local designer and friend Nirva Derbekyan. “From far away you can’t appreciate the lines and seams and all the design and creativity he’s put into it. I really would have liked to see what he could have done with the challenges.’’

Christopher Muther can be reached at muther@globe.com. Follow him on twitter @Chris_Muther.