ABOUT THE DESIGNER
ACFW Award winning couture designer of the year 2017, John Leon, founder and creative director of John JNL Leon Fashion Designs, was born in Philadelphia on November 1991 to parents originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Leon is self-taught and has been running the growing business for 10 years. John has had a passion for fashion design as long as he can remember. At the age of 5 Leon was sketching fashion illustrations of original design without having any understanding or knowledge of the fashion world. Years later Leon found his passion for fashion design and taught himself to sew, manage a team and run his own business.
Within 10 years Leon has showcased 5 seasonal collections in multiple cities including Philadelphia, Atlantic City and New York City. The collections were later featured in two online magazines, Parvenu and Bravura, twice published in Fashion Ave News Magazine and showcased in Philly Style Magazine. Leon has dressed multiple private clients such as Fox on air commentator Dr. Nina Radcliff, former Miss New Jersey Brenna Weick, Mrs. Pennsylvania America 2013/Mrs. Haiti International 2015 Andrea Graham and ACFW producer Jeana Bowling.
In 2017 Leon's fashion illustrations were discovered by Michael DeLuca, the window designer of the prestigious luxury retail store Boyds Philadelphia. The two later collaborated to create a window display. Leon created women's and men's fashion illustrations which were later enlarged and displayed in the two front entry windows of the store throughout the spring season of that year.
In 2018, Leon was the judge for best evening wear and best costume category at the Mrs. NJ & PA International Pageant. He would return the next year as co-host alongside Dr. Nina Radcliff. Later in 2019, Leon spoke at Stockton University about being an entrepreneur in the fashion industry and mentored young fashion designer graduates from the Art institute. In the Fall Leon would then expand his brand by adding bridal to the JNL label, releasing two bridal collections, Spring and Fall, which were showcased at Philly Fashion Week and Atlantic City Fashion Week.
Today, Leon is known not only for his cohesive collections but the increasing recognition of his custom creations. Consistently evolving, JNL will continue to bring eccentric, glamorous and creative designs to the Philadelphia community through private consultations, fashion shows and related organizations.
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JNL Women
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