Shek Leung

Photo Courtesy Of Shek Leung

WHERE ARE YOU RIGHT NOW AND HAVE YOU ALWAYS LIVED THERE?

London, United Kingdom. No, I moved here for my university education, and stayed here ever since.

WHERE WERE YOU BORN AND BROUGHT UP?

Taiwan, but grew up in Hong Kong (my whole family’s from Hong Kong actually, was born in Taiwan when they relocated there for work).

WHAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR PRESENT CITY OR HOMETOWN? Hometown: Hong Kong is literally a concrete jungle, it is a city that blends the old into new. A city that is 24 hours busy and hustling, it is a place where I will always call home and find food in the middle of the night.

WHAT WERE YOUR ASPIRATIONS GROWING UP?

To be happy.

WHY DESIGNER?

I wanted to create – to make people feel related and connected through my crafts and garments. Fashion has become the “medium” I use to execute that.

WHERE DID YOU RECEIVE YOUR TRAINING?

Central Saint Martins, London. Where I graduated from both BA and MA degree in Fashion.

WHAT'S YOUR PROCESS FROM CONCEPT TO CREATION?

From an initial inspiration or concept, I then collect images to visualize it and put together a narrative. This is later reinforced into a fully realized narrative through a self-made research film where I film and direct it myself. The film is translated into both fashion and material developments where I experiment and create my collections. The idea behind it is to b ring my conceptual moving images (films) to life. This is due to my upbringing, I grew up in a family that worked in the film and entertainment industry. I was never professionally trained or taught in filmmaking – but even as a boy, I was gripped by the artistry that I saw depicted on set and I still use moving images to inspire some of my most artisanal textiles.

WHERE DO YOU FIND INSPIRATION?

Usually through social conversations with people around me, and textures that I find in everyday life.

WHO OR WHAT HAS HAD THE BIGGEST INFLUENCE ON YOU?

My father, he’s a director. He’s the one that introduce to me the world of film and how it can bring both honesty and fantasy into the audience’s life.

HOW DO YOU DEFINE YOUR PERSONAL AESTHETIC?

Would describe my personal aesthetic as quiet, honest and tactile.

WHAT MOMENT ARE YOU HAVING?

Been mostly stressed. Currently trying to navigate on how to run my brand but also trying to enjoy working on my new collection.

WHAT DO YOU GET UP TO WHEN YOU'RE NOT WORKING?

You will find me going for walks, but mostly in bed watching films and TV shows one after another.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND?

Travel somewhere really far from my studio, or eating spicy food. I love spices.