Project Runway’s Leanne Marshall

Edited by Lauren Garroni on August 16 2008 at 11:45 AM

Have you been watching this season’s Project Runway? If you have, you’ve no doubt noticed Leanne and her arts and crafts style clothes. It comes as no surprise that I stumbled upon her on Etsy, you know the arts and crafts website for those who can’t get their clothes into the store Anthropologie. Anyway here she gives a little intro about herself and the process of getting on Project Runway:

I’m Leanne and I run a small independent clothing line of my own formerly known as Leanimal, but now I’m just going by my name Leanne Marshall. No more animal!
I knew that I wanted to be a fashion designer since I was 12 years old and I dabbled in designing my ballet costumes. I ended up going to FIDM in San Francisco and getting a degree in fashion design, but after graduating I took a detour and worked as a graphic designer for five years. I was able to quit my day job as a graphic designer and do the clothing line full-time thanks to success on Etsy.
I currently live and work in Portland, Oregon and do my clothing line full-time—or more than full-time. It’s like my child, and it’s not 9-5; it’s my life! I do it all myself at the moment, but I’m hoping to expand and have hired help soon. At the end of the day, it’s wonderful just to be able to do what I love and make a living at it.
As for Project Runway, this was my second time auditioning. I auditioned for season 4 as a last minute decision and I made it past the first cut, but ultimately I didn’t make it and I don’t think I was ready for it then. The second time was the charm, and I was without a doubt a much stronger designer. I had been making clothes constantly in the last year. I think I made well over 200 garments that I then sold to boutiques or in my Etsy shop. Some days I would make up to three dresses in one day! So, I definitely felt much more prepared and confident in my technical as well as design skills.
Once I found out I had made it I was beyond thrilled! And of course it was so much harder than I could ever be prepared for! I’m used to working alone in my studio apartment all day long. It’s just me, my sewing machine and a closet that is overflowing outward with fabric! This environment was the complete opposite with the cameras, the crazy personalities and all the drama! But it was the experience of a lifetime, without a doubt, and I made some great friends while I was there, too.