By Crystal Harrell
On March 16, Amsterdam couture designer Leon Klaassen Bos presented his “Sensual Rhapsody” collection on the Fashion Week El Paseo runway—celebrating 17 years of style at the West Coast’s largest consumer fashion show at The Gardens on El Paseo in Palm Desert.
This world-class event provides an inspiring, immersive fashion experience and features cocktail receptions, pop-up shops, celebrity meet-and-greets, and much more. Highlighting fashion trends and showcasing a who’s-who of the country’s top design talents and introducing some stars of tomorrow, Fashion Week El Paseo takes one of the world’s most relatable art forms and brings it to visitors in style.
LeonLeon uses the magic of haute couture to create innovative and sculptural designs molded to compliment the male and female bodies.
Dutch couturier Leon Klaassen Bos marries sensuality with unparalleled sophistication. He found his passion for fine fashion at an early age, winning design contests and gaining contracts with knitwear companies.
In the 1990s, he apprenticed with couturier Frank Govers and landed positions with designers including Yves Saint Laurent.
By blending his knowledge of cultural history, modern technology, and showmanship with his experience in the Paris ateliers, Klaassen Bos creates innovative and sculptural designs that are molded to complement the human form.
A LeonLeon pop-up shop was also open to the general public for free at the Fashion Week El Paseo Reception Tent the following day, with LeonLeon presenting their collections to peruse and purchase, and offering personal consultations.
Klaassen Bos founded Atelier LeonLeon in 2004. His collections have been shown in Amsterdam, Paris, Italy, and Dubai, and his 2012 LED light dress became an iconic symbol of smart clothing innovation. In 2017, Klaassen Bos launched LeonLeon, a sister company specializing in LGBTQ+ wedding attire among other designs.
The benefiting charity for the fashion show was the Mizell Center, a non-denominational organization that has been serving the senior community in the greater Palm Springs area since 1974. An acknowledged leader in active aging, Mizell’s multi-faceted network of programs and services is designed to encourage creativity, promote lifelong learning and sustain an active and engaged lifestyle. The Mission of Mizell Center is to foster a vibrant quality of life and support the independence of Coachella Valley residents as they age.
