Designer Leanne Marshall may be best remembered as the stand-out Season 5 winner of Project Runway, where she captivated the judges and audience alike with her “wave-inspired” collection of formal wear in turquoise, ivory and sand. Growing up in Yuba City, California, Marshall’s love affair with fashion started early. At age 12, she began designing ballet and stage costumes with the help of a local seamstress, and at age 18, she won the Levi’s Dockers Fashion Designer of Tomorrow Scholarship to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco. Marshall relocated to Portland, Oregon and worked as a graphic designer to support the launch of her first fashion line, Leanimal. The lightening-fast success of the line propelled her full-time into fashion design. She was handpicked as a contestant for Project Runway in 2008. Following the career-changing win until present, Marshall continues to design day, evening and bridal wear under the Leanne Marshall brand name. In 2012, she also joined forces with the Simplicity Pattern Company to design a selection of high-fashion dress patterns. Leanne Marshall collections are shown internationally and at New York Fashion Week. The designer lives and works in New York.
Leanne Marshall brand was founded in 2009 and it comprises high-fashion gowns and dresses, designed to showcase each woman’s natural beauty. Inspired by the designer’s couture background, the uniquely fresh collection boasts flowing feminine silhouettes, flattering fits, and an ethereal elegance that appeals to fashion-forward women across the globe. Hallmarks of the USA-produced collection include the finest fabrics and exquisite detailing — hand beading or dramatic sculptural embellishments, including floral appliqués, tiered flounces, peplums and illusion overlays. In 2011, the designer also launched her immensely popular bridal wear collection, which is available in over 35 international locations. Leanne Marshall’s designs have graced the pages of Martha Stewart Weddings, US Weekly, New York Post, New York Times, People, Elle, LIFE, National Geographic, and Lucky magazine, among numerous other publications. The brand most recently launched an exclusive collection of dresses with Anthropologie sister brand and bridal wear purveyor BHLDN.
Leanne Marshall is a favorite designer among celebrities. Singer Carrie Underwood wore two gowns designed by Leanne Marshall while hosting the 49th Annual CMA Awards in Los Angeles last week, on Wednesday November 4th. Carrie looked stunning in the sky blue silk organza gown with a deep V neck. Later in the show she wore an ivory, hand painted silk organza gown with an asymmetrical draped bodice detail. Carrie is a fan of Leanne’s designs and previously wore a cobalt blue gown while performing at the 2014 American Country Countdown Awards.
Actress and judge Julianne Hough wore a design by Leanne Marshall for an episode of Dancing With the Stars show on September 21st. Julianne was looking gorgeous in a silk chiffon ruby gown with black embellishments.
Red carpet correspondent Stephanie Bauer was a stand-out in a design by Leanne Marshall at the 2015 Emmy Awards this September. Stephanie wore a silk chiffon Grecian style pale pink gown for her red carpet coverage during the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on September 20th. Stephanie also wore a Leanne Marshall design while covering the red carpet at the Creative Emmy Awards on September 12th — a backless, V-neck gown with a gold silk and lurex bodice with a black chiffon skirt.
Actress Allison Janney and dancer Witney Carson are other celebrities who stunned in designs by Leanne Marshall at Creative Emmy Awards this past September. Allison Janney wore a custom floral silk gown with a hand beaded bodice and pleated skirt, while Witney Carson wore a gorgeous beige silk gown.
