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.