Yeha Leung in conversation with TEMPTRESS
TEMPTRESS sits down with Yeha Leung (mama of @creepyyeha) to explore the power, vulnerability, and quiet ferocity stitched into her every creation.
Your pieces balance between softness and danger - how would you describe the personality behind your brand?
It’s true! It’s a balance I constantly seek, not just in design but in life as well. I’m drawn to blending worlds through emotions, textures, and color.
For me, there’s something deeply powerful about trusting something delicate, like lace, to be handled sweetly, while still being anchored by the weight of heavy hardware. It’s like a kiss in a dream. There’s a unique beauty in that balance and in the choice between opposing forces.
I created my work as a form of armor for myself, a way to both protect and express who I am while also allowing me to explore who I want to be. It’s armor that allows me to embrace parts of myself, while also shielding them with curious harmony.
The personality behind my brand has always remained consistent: Give her time and space, and she will thrive. It’s about studying and listening to your body and staying true to yourself. Don’t get distracted by others’ choices for their lives. Make your own decisions, and you’ll find peace in knowing you’re honoring your own path.
What inspired you to start your own brand, and how did you decide to develop it? Do you handle everything yourself, or do you have a team supporting you?
My mom inspired me in a completely different way. I watched her transform from a submissive housewife into a successful business owner after giving birth to my younger brother. Seeing her cut off her long hair and step confidently into her power is something that will forever fuel me.
I’ve been making my own clothes and accessories for as long as I can remember. I started by sharing this gift with friends who trusted my vision, and their encouragement led me to attend fashion school the summer after I graduated high school. While I was there, I began sharing my personal style and work online, and that naturally evolved into starting my own brand. It all happened organically. I found my niche, recognized the demand for what I do, and began selling directly to customers. I have never stopped since! I’m endlessly grateful to have an audience that believes in my art and supports my journey. Every piece I make and sell is like a page from my diary. I see it as an intimate, tangible part of my growth as an artist and I’m so blessed that people love it.
I launched my brand around 2011/2012 in my parents’ basement. When the demand became overwhelming, my boyfriend at the time, Alejandro Lafontant, stepped in to help. We met at fashion school so I knew he had the eye, the skillset, and a deep understanding of how I worked, both as a person and as an artist. We worked side by side from 2014 to 2024.
Now, I’m back to working solo. I handle every aspect of my brand: sourcing materials, making each product, photographing, editing, customer service, packing, shipping, meetings, everything! Currently, all sales are online, but I’m working toward opening my own shop here in Brooklyn, NY. Once that vision comes to life, I’ll be ready to bring on help to support the next chapter.
Tell us about the Temptress shoot - how did you decide to send it to the magazine, how did the idea come to you, and what’s the main concept behind it?
Temptress reached out to me about a feature which I felt excited to be a part of. Your magazine was gracious enough to connect me with a British photographer based in New York, Adam Powell, to photograph me. It is rare that I work with a complete stranger but I am so happy I did. The shoot ended up being such a wonderful, positive experience. Adam came up with the idea to be spontaneous and shoot all over his neighborhood in Brooklyn. He welcomed me into his home and set base there. No assistants, no makeup or hair artists. We both agreed to keep it tight. I brought all my looks with me and we would use his car to drive around different locations he scouted prior to shooting. I would change in the car by the side of the road. Changing into a full cinched look without a mirror outside in the sweaty humid heat was definitely a challenge. There was a moment in between looks where there was going to be heavy rain. We tried our best to beat it but by look #2, I was drenched. I remember being in the car with Adam while we watched as the rain approached closer to us. We saw a family of geese at the location where we were going to shoot and it inspired us to just do it. We both ran out, his camera and flash in hand and shot as fast as we could while running in the crazy downpour. It was wild! My hair, leather, hardware, fur, everything was drenched but I loved every minute of it. We ended up getting a couple of fun shots. Without it, I believe it wouldn’t have been as magical. It also gave a rare opportunity to capture me in a state of being a bit disheveled and messy. After that, I got warmed up back in his house and changed into my final look where I gagged myself with a pearl gag in a park. He even dared me to shoot in front of someone’s home with their statue. Again, something new for me. It was quite thrilling for me because I usually obey the rules. All in all, it was a very memorable and exciting shoot where I overcame a lot of things I used to deem as uncomfortable or challenging. It made me feel more fearless. Adam is amazing at what he does and I am so happy to share these photos with the world. Thank you for having us in your magazine.
Finally - how do you see your brand connecting with our audience? What draws you to collaborate with us?
I was drawn to working with your magazine because it explores the more taboo sides of art and fashion. That resonates deeply with me, as I often feel censored in many other spaces. Temptress Magazine seems to celebrate the very parts that are usually hidden or suppressed, and that’s something I truly value. Thank you so much for your support!