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Trust AAE Speakers Bureau for Booking Top Professional Speakers. Find a Keynote Speaker Today.
Justin Leblanc

Justin Leblanc

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

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.”

Contact a speaker booking agent to check availability on Justin Leblanc and other top speakers and celebrities.

Justin Leblanc Videos

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

How do I book Justin Leblanc to speak at my event?

Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Justin Leblanc for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability 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 speaking fee information and check availability for Justin Leblanc or any other speaker of your choice.

How much does it cost to book Justin Leblanc for a speaking engagement?

Speaking fees for Justin Leblanc, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Justin Leblanc, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.

What topics does Justin Leblanc speak about?

Justin Leblanc is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Design, Beauty, Television & Film, Entertainers, Diversity, Inspirational, Disability, LGBTQ, Non-Profit & Association, Professors, Creativity, Art, Health, Youth, Celebrity, Fashion, Lifestyle and Education.

Where does Justin Leblanc travel from?

Justin Leblanc generally travels from Raleigh, NC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.

Who is the agent for Justin Leblanc?

AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Justin Leblanc for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker 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. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, 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 speaker booking agency?

AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Justin Leblanc or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.

Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?

If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.


Justin Leblanc is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Design, Beauty and Television & Film. The estimated speaking fee range to book Justin Leblanc for live events is $10,000 - $20,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. 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 and Tim Gunn. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Justin Leblanc for an upcoming event.

Justin Leblanc Videos

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