ACFW Award winning couture designer of the year 2017- John Leon, founder and creative director of John JNL Leon Fashion Designs, was born on November 1991, in Philadelphia to parents originally from Ponce, Puerto Rico. Leon is self-taught and has been running the growing business for 9 years. Leon 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 designs 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 9 years Leon has showcased 5 seasonal collections in multiple cities, Philadelphia, Atlantic City and New York City. Later the collections were in two online magazines, Parvenu, Bravura and 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 and 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 collaborated creatively in a window display where Leon created women's and men's fashion illustrations that were later enlarged and displayed in the front two main windows.
In 2018 at the Mrs. NJ & Mrs. PA International Pageant, Leon was a judge for best evening wear and best costume. In 2019, Leon returned to the Mrs. NJ & Mrs. PA International Pageant
as co-host along side Dr. Nina Radcliff. Later that year, Leon spoke at Stockton University about being an entrepreneur in the fashion industry and mentored young fashion designer graduates from the Art institute.
In 2019 Leon wanted to expand his brand by introducing bridal to the JNL label. Two collections were released for Spring and Fall that year.
Today Leon is known not only for his cohesive collections, but his gaining increasing recognition for his custom creations. Consistently evolving, JNL will continue to bring eccentric, glamorous, creative designs to the Philadelphia community through private consultations, fashion shows and related organizations.