It was a veritable Project Runway reunion last night inside a tiny showroom in Manhattan's Hell's Kitchen neighborhood where last season's winner, Leanne Marshall, debuted her Fall 2009 for New York Fashion Week. And I can tell you this new collection is a stunner!

The recent NYC transplant was admittedly exhausted (she finished sewing "two minutes before the show started") but thrilled to share her nine new pieces for Fall 2009 with friends and fellow Runway contestants who trickled in throughout the night. Jerrell, Suede, Stella, and Korto were all on hand to toast their friend's achievement (all were very friendly, sweet, and genuinely happy for their friend; no small thing in the fashion world!) and catch up on the last six or so months since the show's finale.

The new collection, displayed by nine models standing painfully still on platforms for two solid hours, was all Marshall. Her trademark elegant angles, flouncy feminine skirts, and rich textured fabrics were there, but with an urban-sophisticate edge. Her palette for fall is golds, greys, deep purples, and black, all of which she says were inspired by leaving her more somber Northwest environs for the sparkle of the Big Apple.

I chatted with Marshall about this evolution of her style, which female celeb she's dying to dress (hint: she's a neighbor!), and her apparent addiction to procrastination.

So you just re-located to NYC from Portland a month ago. What's that process been like?

It's been really stressful. It's a big move. I don't recommend it unless you really really have to or want to! (Laughs) No, I am really glad I did. But our stuff, which we shipped, was delayed by two weeks. It's been the biggest deal.

You created everything right there in your new apartment in Brooklyn?

Yes! I would love to have a work studio at some point because my boyfriend, Nathan, has a cat and she's into everything. It was a challenge keeping her out of the room.

Let's back up a bit. Project Runway ended last October. What happened to all the pieces you created for the finale?

They were auctioned off. And we're not allowed to re-create any of them. They are all meant to be one-of-a-kind for the show. I can't tell you how many thousands of people emailed me wanting specific things from that collection. I was like, "I can't, I can't!"

What happened immediately after the show ended?

It was crazy. I had known for a month that I'd won, and as soon as episode aired, I was in NYC for back-to-back interviews. Days and days of interviews. I pretty much hung out at the NBC studios all day long, which was fun. It was a crazy whirlwind.

After you won, you went back to Portland?

Yes. Went home and pretty much stayed there until we moved. It was pretty normal.

Do you get recognized like crazy now?

When I was in Portland, people would rarely come up to me, but I could tell they recognized me. In New York, they're like "Oh my God! It's you!"

So the collection you showed in the finale of Runway was for spring. How have your designs and/or sense of style changed since being on Runway?

It's more "New York": there's more black than I've ever used. It's more dressy, there's more evening wear with some day pieces too. I'm still using a lot of bamboo fabric. I found the most amazing 100 percent bamboo fabric, it almost looks like leather. It has a neat little sheen. I'm also doing more color too. More purples and metallics. Generally, it's more sophisticated than anything. In the last few years, my skills have increased triple-fold. Overall, I'm more technical and more polished.

Have you been approached by a lot of stylists or celebrities requesting your designs?

Yes, a lot of stylists have gotten in touch, calling on behalf of their clients. Last week was Paula Abdul's, actually.

Really? Well, she could definitely use some toning down wardrobe-wise...

(Laughs) Maybe.

Anyone else?

A princess from the Middle East called. Brooke Shields has also mentioned her interest and Sarah Jessica Parker, too. When all this Fashion Week stuff is over, I would love to work with them. Oh, and Maggie Gyllenhaal ... she apparently lives in my neighborhood, around the block from me. I think I saw her one day, and I was like, "Oh my God, it's Maggie!" And by the time I thought, "I should give her a card," she was gone. So I'm always keeping my eye out for her. I'd love to dress her too.

Have you met fellow Runway-winner Christian Siriano yet?

Yah, I actually ran into him at Mood Fabrics. It was the first time I'd been there since moving to the city and I ran into Christian, and I also saw Daniel Vosovic there. Is there anyone else from another season I'll see? Perhaps!

Have you been in touch with Tim Gunn since you moved out here?

No, I haven't. I sent him an invite to my show. I also sent one to Heidi, but she's filming right now for the next season.

That's right. They're transitioning the show to Lifetime. That's been a bumpy process.

Yah. They don't even know if it's going to air now. I'm curious to see how they're going to do the final show. It really stinks for the designers involved, and everyone, really. More stress for everyone.

Who is your greatest inspiration in terms of career?

I'm in complete in awe of Diane Von Furstenberg's career. She's a mentor and I absolutely look up to her. I was a fan long before the show. She was a pioneer. As far as designs go, Alexander McQueen is in a whole other league.

Any advice for aspiring designers?

Well, I would say, "Don't ever attempt to put together a Fashion Week show in three weeks." (Laughs) But, I always do this; I'm always in a jam at the last minute. But I think I work well under pressure. Everything happens faster. The ideas are right there. Without the pressure, I would just sit and think about things forever.

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