Exclusive Interview: Leanne Marshall, Winner of 'Project Runway' Season 5 A graduate of The Fashion Institute of Merchandising and Design in San Francisco, Leanne Marshall started designing at the age of 12. She worked on her own ballet costumes, and has been designing clothes since then. She has also been the recipient of the Levis/Dockers Fashion Designer of Tomorrow scholarship, in addition to being cast in Project Runway.
For five years and more, Leanne has been a graphic designer, which has resulted in a style unquestionably her own. Her designs are described as innovative, structural and sophisticated. She then relocated to Portland, Oregon to continue her own line called “Leanimal”, which is being sold in Seattle, New York and Portland. She incorporates eco-friendly materials for her line, and has won a juried fashion show while being named “the fastest rising star in Portland’s apparel design scene.” Leanne obtains inspiration from her favorite designers, Rodarte, Maison Martin Margiela and Zac Posen.