‘Project Runway’ Alum Leanne Marshall Talks NYFW Collection, Importance Of Adding Diversity To Runway

Leanne Marshall was one of several designers to debut on Day 5 of New York Fashion Week. The “Project Runway” alum showcased her spring/summer 2017 collection at Skylight Clarkson Square to a packed crowd, which included “Teen Wolf” star Arden Cho, “Real Housewives of Dallas” stars Cary Deuber and Stephanie Hollman, and Fifth Harmony’s Lauren Jauregui. Justin Bieber’s protégée singer Madison Beer, WWE wrestler Summer Rae, “The Americans” star Holly Taylor and Miss New York 2016 Nicole Kulovany were also spotted sitting front row at the designer’s show.

Marshall’s collection featured light colored, breezy fabrics, sheer crop tops and loose-fitting dresses. She paired the looks with nude sandals.

Ahead of the show, Marshall chatted with International Business Times about her collection, saying that she was inspired by crystals and their healing energy. “It’s kind of going through what crystals mean to a lot of people,” she explained backstage. “They can be very uplifting and help people channel different sorts of things in their life by using them, wearing them, meditating with them.”

The designer, who won Season 5 of Lifetime’s “Project Runway” in 2008, has been a staple at New York Fashion Week ever since her win. When asked what she enjoys most about the event, Marshall said that it’s the moment when the models are lined up, dressed and ready to hit the runway. “Everything is done, you can’t touch it,” Marshall said, admitting that she’s working and critiquing her looks up until the very last second. “So, it’s those moments where I’m like OK this is done, this is done. And you look back and you look at these gorgeous models and enjoy it.”

This NYFW, just like others in the past, there’s been pressure on designers to add more diversity to the runway when it comes to which models they cast. Former “Project Runway” star Christian Siriano made headlines this week for using plus size models during his show.

Marshall told IBT that she had one or two plus size models in consideration for her show, but they weren’t “able to secure them.” However, she agrees that there should be models of all types walking the runway. “I’m all for it. We have a very diverse cast of models, as I usually do,” she said. “I think if you’re making clothing that only looks good on one type of girl, then you’re doing nobody a favor. You have to create clothing that works on so many different skin tones, so many different shapes and it’s very important to showcase that on the runway as well.”

Check out some of the runway photos below: