Project Runway's Leanne Marshall Shows at NYFW

I had the priviledge to attend Leanne Marshall's 2013 Fashion Week show. Leanne, winner of Season 5 Project Runway, showed a slightly different show than previous NYFW. But of course, everything was stunning and a thrill to see.

The garments had a very organic and bucolic feel with an edge of sophistication. Dresses of sheer silks hand dyed in ethereal pastel colors were just beautiful! As the models went down the runway, their dresses flowed revealing hand dyed cotton gowns underneath with equisite hand pleating.

I spoke to Leanne after the show and asked what her inspiration for this line. It was clear that it was rather different than her other lines and she said "I wanted to literally take a fresh breath. It may sound funny but the collection is literally inspired by a mushroom I picked in a field. The top of it was so soft and smooth and when you turned it over, it had these amazing....what do you call them...I am so tired now, sorry..." Pleats, I added. "Yes, thanks, the pleats underneath and the way they worked with the soft top. So I hand dyed the organic cotton underneath and in some cases, created little flowers or organic shapes by hand pleating in the way I recalled the tight, circular undergrowth of the mushroom".

It was a beautiful show and as Marshall wanted, a breath a fresh air. Plus the flowing, ethereal dresses and pastel color palette was a welcome contrast to the snow and cold I had to battle to get inside.

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Twenty-eight years experience as a Professional Model, Director and Producer in the Performing Arts. Produced and directed new works, held national casting calls for models and actors, negotiated contracts and collaborated with artists to build dynamic team-oriented events in theatre, dance and fashion. Maryellen has personally worked as a full figured fashion and runway model and is a renowned 'fit' model who has worked with labels found on clothing racks in stores nationwide. She also has experience conducting national programs on cultural diversity and self esteem for young people which include modeling workshops for young men and women and has worked as a judge for regional and national modeling and performing arts competition. Maryellen also serves the not-for-profit community as the Artistic Director of ArtsCare,( www.ArtsCareus.org) and is an advocate for implementing health and wellness programming in schools, community centers, senior centers and alternative spaces. Maryellen has also been responsible for the fiscal management, social media awareness, creative production and artistic management of companies, projects, runway shows and other fashion events nationwide.