Biographie
Leonard Simpson is the creator of Fashion Forward®, a company with more than two decades of experience producing high-style fashion shows, television segments, and Broadway-style shows nationwide.
Leonard's fashion shows are streamlined and have the high-tech sophistication of New York runways. Drama and opulence are trademarks in his work. He has worked in television, film, and stage. His background includes having designed an award winning jewelry line, carried at Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. He has an extensive background in television, fashion, and design, in addition to choreography. Leonard studied business, fashion art, and television with a focus goal mind--to combine his artistic gifts with the rigorous demands of the entertainment industry.
His fashion projects include working with top designers, the opening of the Kodak Theater, home of the Academy Awards®, as well as fashion events for the Hollywood & Highland Center, the I.S.A.M. swimwear trade fashion shows in New York and L.A., the APPI original Broadway show "Follow the Dream", the Gemological Institute of America, and over-the-top charity galas across the nation. Recently, Leonard produced shows to benefit the ARC of San Diego; a Broadway style show in May 2012 with celebrity Mary Murphy of FOX TV, USA Military tribute show March 2012, St. Madeleine Sophie's Center August 2012, Epilepsy Foundation Cherry Blossom show in 2013, Gran Openings 2013, visual designs for the San Francisco Center and Prudential center in Boston 2013, including many guest appearances across California.
Leonard Simpson's 10 Best Dressed Awards(TM) a prestige gala created and established by Leonard in 2008 recognizing the need of funds for local charities and awarding San Diego's top philanthropies in its six consecutive year has been admired and planned to be extended to different cities across the nation.
Leonard's television credits includes a ten year run as the producer and on-air host of his own style weekly segments on San Diego's KUSI-9 Good Morning San Diego. Five years as an ABC commentator live from the red carpet at the Academy Awards® and co-host and segment producer for the Southern regional Emmys. He has appeared on VH1, Entertainment Tonight, E!, CBS, NBC, FOX, UT-TV, TWC and covered many fashion events in New York for Fashion Week, Fashion TV, Canada. He has worked with In Style and GQ magazines, produced many editorials for San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles Magazine, FINE Magazine and has appeared in countless media thought New York, L.A, San Francisco and San Diego.
He has produced countless grand opening galas and black?tie events for high-profile shopping centers - South Coast Plaza, Houston Galleria, San Francisco Center, New York's Cipriani, Chelsea Piers and Tavern On the Green, The Bellagio and other grand retail hotels, appearing as a Fashion Personality, producing fashion shows, makeovers and style events. He also created Hollywood Talk Live, an interactive talk show at Hollywood & Highland Center Stage interviewing a host of celebrities.
Leonard's film credits include the male lead in the full-featured film "Fashionably L.A." (as Peter Hugo) released in 2002, winner of the Toronto Film Festival Awards written and produced by actress/writer Tamera Oleson.
Leonard is the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in fashion and the New York Fashion Group International's Style Award, and recently received the rank of Executive Commissioner I from the San Diego Police Department.
