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Justin Leblanc

Artist , Fashion Designer & Professor; Contestant on Season 12 of "Project Runway"

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Justin Leblanc Biography

Justin LeBlanc never planned to be a fashion designer.

Though he always had an eye for design, he was more interested in buildings and structures as an architecture major at N.C. State. But after taking a studio class in fashion on a whim, everything changed.

“His professor, Lope Max Diaz, thought he had an innate ability and encouraged him to enter the annual Art2Wear competition,” says LeBlanc’s mother, Kathleen Edwards. “Justin designed seven dresses – the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ collection. He won Best of Show.”

Now LeBlanc, who grew up in Raleigh and graduated from Broughton High School, is among the 15 designers competing on the upcoming season of “Project Runway,” premiering July 18 on Lifetime.

LeBlanc is currently filming for the show, sequestered from contact with family and friends.

“In the beginning we constantly said, ‘I wonder what Justin is doing?’?” says Edwards. “We miss him and hope he is enjoying his great adventure – and hopefully has satisfied his dad’s request that he get an autographed picture of (show host) Heidi Klum.”

LeBlanc’s journey to the fashion design competition began in that N.C. State studio class and took him to Chicago, where he earned a master of design in fashion, body and garment degree from the Art Institute of Chicago. From there, he interned in London at Alexander McQueen’s studio. Last year, LeBlanc returned to Raleigh to teach fashion design at his alma mater.

“Everybody has been really excited, especially the students,” says Katherine Diguid, LeBlanc’s colleague and assistant professor of design at N.C. State. “For some of them, ‘Project Runway’ is what really got them into fashion. So to go from being a huge fan to having one of your professors on the show, they’re just beside themselves with excitement.”

“Project Runway” challenges designers each week to create pieces – often using nontraditional materials such as furnishings, plants and even food – that are then worn in a weekly fashion show and judged.

Diguid thinks LeBlanc’s architectural background gives him an edge over his fellow contestants.

“He’s just got that sense of being open to exploration to see what the materials do, and the architectural eye with regard to form and proportions,” says Diguid. “He’s constantly working with very different materials, so he’d be more likely to pick something that someone might not see potential in and create something spectacular.”

Another trait certain to make LeBlanc stand out from the other “Project Runway” competitors is the fact that he’s nearly deaf. Born with severe sensorineural hearing loss, LeBlanc received a cochlear implant at age 18 that enables him to hear well enough to use the phone, though he still signs.

But those who know him say LeBlanc doesn’t allow his hearing loss to prevent him from making a statement.

“Justin, despite his deafness, has always been very outgoing,” says Edwards. “He has never known a stranger. He adapted to the hearing aids very well and rapidly learned to sign and speak.”

Friends also say his hearing loss has served as a creative catalyst for LeBlanc, making him more keenly aware of visual and tactile design aspects, such as fabric color and texture.

“He’s very conceptual,” says LeBlanc’s friend and N.C. State classmate Nicole Alvarez. “He had these gloves that he’d cut open and he was pushing these pins through the gloves, making this really amazing faux fur-like effect. He likes to experiment with these harsh materials and see how he can implement them into wearable art, conceptual art on the body rather than ready-to-wear.”

Alvarez says LeBlanc’s experience at N.C. State will make him a fierce competitor on the show.

“I can see him doing really well because he’s used to that studio environment from going to State and his graduate work in Chicago,” says Alvarez. “Being in that environment helps you to push yourself to really do well.”

Fans of the show know that the actual design work is only part of the challenge. Dealing with an array of personalities that range from no-nonsense mentor Tim Gunn to high-strung fellow designers can be just as daunting as creating fashion on the fly. But those who know LeBlanc best feel certain he’ll handle it all with ease.

“I think he has the perfect personality to weather what sometimes can be a very difficult competition,” says Edwards. “I have great faith in Justin.”

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FAQs
  • HOW TO BOOK Justin Leblanc?

    Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Justin Leblanc for both live and virtual events for over 15 years. The team at All American Entertainment represents and listens to the needs of organizations and corporations seeking to hire keynote speakers, celebrities or entertainers for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment. Fill out a booking request form for Justin Leblanc, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get pricing information and check availability for Justin Leblanc or any other celebrity of your choice.
  • HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO BOOK Justin Leblanc?

    Speaking fees for Justin Leblanc, or any other keynote speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The amount that Justin Leblanc charges to speak often varies according to the circumstances, including their schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. The speaker fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range. For the most current fee to hire Justin Leblanc, please fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak with an experienced booking agent.
  • WHO IS THE AGENT FOR Justin Leblanc?

    All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Justin Leblanc for clients worldwide for more than 15 years. As a full-service talent booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Justin Leblanc for your next private or corporate function.
  • WHAT IS A FULL-SERVICE TALENT BOOKING AGENCY?

    All American Speakers is a "buyers agent" and exclusively represents talent buyers, meeting planners and event professionals, who are looking to secure celebrities and speakers for personal appearances, speaking engagements, corporate entertainment, public relations campaigns, commercials, or endorsements. We do not exclusively represent Justin Leblanc or claim ourselves as the exclusive booking agency, business manager, publicist, speakers bureau or management for Justin Leblanc or any other speaker or celebrity on this website. For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage.
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This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

Artist , Fashion Designer & Professor; Contestant on Season 12 of "Project Runway"

Travels From:
Raleigh, NC, USA
Speaking Fee:

Justin Leblanc Biography

Justin LeBlanc never planned to be a fashion designer.

Though he always had an eye for design, he was more interested in buildings and structures as an architecture major at N.C. State. But after taking a studio class in fashion on a whim, everything changed.

“His professor, Lope Max Diaz, thought he had an innate ability and encouraged him to enter the annual Art2Wear competition,” says LeBlanc’s mother, Kathleen Edwards. “Justin designed seven dresses – the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ collection. He won Best of Show.”

Now LeBlanc, who grew up in Raleigh and graduated from Broughton High School, is among the 15 designers competing on the upcoming season of “Project Runway,” premiering July 18 on Lifetime.

LeBlanc is currently filming for the show, sequestered from contact with family and friends.

“In the beginning we constantly said, ‘I wonder what Justin is doing?’?” says Edwards. “We miss him and hope he is enjoying his great adventure – and hopefully has satisfied his dad’s request that he get an autographed picture of (show host) Heidi Klum.”

LeBlanc’s journey to the fashion design competition began in that N.C. State studio class and took him to Chicago, where he earned a master of design in fashion, body and garment degree from the Art Institute of Chicago. From there, he interned in London at Alexander McQueen’s studio. Last year, LeBlanc returned to Raleigh to teach fashion design at his alma mater.

“Everybody has been really excited, especially the students,” says Katherine Diguid, LeBlanc’s colleague and assistant professor of design at N.C. State. “For some of them, ‘Project Runway’ is what really got them into fashion. So to go from being a huge fan to having one of your professors on the show, they’re just beside themselves with excitement.”

“Project Runway” challenges designers each week to create pieces – often using nontraditional materials such as furnishings, plants and even food – that are then worn in a weekly fashion show and judged.

Diguid thinks LeBlanc’s architectural background gives him an edge over his fellow contestants.

“He’s just got that sense of being open to exploration to see what the materials do, and the architectural eye with regard to form and proportions,” says Diguid. “He’s constantly working with very different materials, so he’d be more likely to pick something that someone might not see potential in and create something spectacular.”

Another trait certain to make LeBlanc stand out from the other “Project Runway” competitors is the fact that he’s nearly deaf. Born with severe sensorineural hearing loss, LeBlanc received a cochlear implant at age 18 that enables him to hear well enough to use the phone, though he still signs.

But those who know him say LeBlanc doesn’t allow his hearing loss to prevent him from making a statement.

“Justin, despite his deafness, has always been very outgoing,” says Edwards. “He has never known a stranger. He adapted to the hearing aids very well and rapidly learned to sign and speak.”

Friends also say his hearing loss has served as a creative catalyst for LeBlanc, making him more keenly aware of visual and tactile design aspects, such as fabric color and texture.

“He’s very conceptual,” says LeBlanc’s friend and N.C. State classmate Nicole Alvarez. “He had these gloves that he’d cut open and he was pushing these pins through the gloves, making this really amazing faux fur-like effect. He likes to experiment with these harsh materials and see how he can implement them into wearable art, conceptual art on the body rather than ready-to-wear.”

Alvarez says LeBlanc’s experience at N.C. State will make him a fierce competitor on the show.

“I can see him doing really well because he’s used to that studio environment from going to State and his graduate work in Chicago,” says Alvarez. “Being in that environment helps you to push yourself to really do well.”

Fans of the show know that the actual design work is only part of the challenge. Dealing with an array of personalities that range from no-nonsense mentor Tim Gunn to high-strung fellow designers can be just as daunting as creating fashion on the fly. But those who know LeBlanc best feel certain he’ll handle it all with ease.

“I think he has the perfect personality to weather what sometimes can be a very difficult competition,” says Edwards. “I have great faith in Justin.”

Justin Leblanc Videos

  • Project Runway - Justin LeBlanc's Home Visit - YouTube
  • Project Runway - Justin LeBlanc's Closet Tour - YouTube

Speaker Lists Featuring Justin Leblanc

FAQs on booking Justin Leblanc

  • How to book Justin Leblanc?

    Our booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure talent like Justin Leblanc for both live and virtual events for over 20 years. The team at All American Entertainment represents and listens to the needs of organizations and corporations seeking to hire keynote speakers, celebrities or entertainers for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment. Fill out a booking request form for Justin Leblanc, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get pricing information and check availability for Justin Leblanc or any other celebrity of your choice.
  • How much does it cost to book Justin Leblanc?

    Speaking fees for Justin Leblanc, or any other keynote speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The amount that Justin Leblanc charges to speak often varies according to the circumstances, including their schedule, market conditions, length of presentation, and the location of the event. The speaker fees listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only. In some cases, the actual quote may be above or below the stated range. For the most current fee to hire Justin Leblanc, please fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak with an experienced booking agent.
  • Who is the agent for Justin Leblanc?

    All American Entertainment has successfully secured celebrity talent like Justin Leblanc for clients worldwide for more than 20 years. As a full-service talent booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Fill out the booking request form or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Justin Leblanc for your next private or corporate function.
  • What is a full-service talent booking agency?

    All American Speakers is a "buyers agent" and exclusively represents talent buyers, meeting planners and event professionals, who are looking to secure celebrities and speakers for personal appearances, speaking engagements, corporate entertainment, public relations campaigns, commercials, or endorsements. We do not exclusively represent Justin Leblanc or claim ourselves as the exclusive booking agency, business manager, publicist, speakers bureau or management for Justin Leblanc or any other speaker or celebrity on this website. For more information on how we work and what makes us unique, please read the AAE Advantage.

Justin Leblanc is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics . The estimated speaking fee range to book Justin Leblanc for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Justin Leblanc generally travels from Raleigh, NC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Daymond John, Tan France, Dom Streater, Tim Gunn and Alison Victoria. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Justin Leblanc for an upcoming live or virtual event.

Justin Leblanc Speaker Videos

  • Project Runway - Justin LeBlanc's Home Visit - YouTube
    Project Runway - Justin LeBlanc's Closet Tour - YouTube

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During normal business hours, we respond to most inquiries within 4 hours.

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Speakers Similar to Justin Leblanc

This website is a resource for event professionals and strives to provide the most comprehensive catalog of thought leaders and industry experts to consider for speaking engagements. A listing or profile on this website does not imply an agency affiliation or endorsement by the talent.

All American Entertainment (AAE) exclusively represents the interests of talent buyers, and does not claim to be the agency or management for any speaker or artist on this site. AAE is a talent booking agency for paid events only. We do not handle requests for donation of time or media requests for interviews, and cannot provide celebrity contact information.

If you are the talent and wish to request a profile update or removal from our online directory, please submit a profile request form.

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