“Through tradition, I seek to foster deeper understanding, and to connect the past and future in the language of today.”
Leesle Hwang is the trailblazing designer behind LEESLE, a lifestyle fashion brand she founded in 2014 to reimagine the Korean hanbok for modern life. With her concept of “New Tradition,” she brings heritage into daily wardrobes, crafting garments that are as contemporary as they are rooted in history.
Under her creative direction, LEESLE has become a symbol of cultural reinvention—where traditional forms meet global style. She coined the term “Korean Chic” to describe her genre-bending aesthetic, which merges the elegance of hanbok with modern sensibilities. LEESLE is based in Jeonju, South Korea, and built on principles of sustainability and community. The brand upcycles textile waste and plastics, employs local artisans, and nurtures emerging regional talent—proving that fashion can be both meaningful and responsible.
From dressing BTS’s Jimin to showcasing hijab-friendly hanbok in Dubai, Leesle’s designs transcend cultural boundaries, offering a fresh language of identity and belonging. Her work has been recognized with Korea’s Prime Minister’s Award for Fashion Design and the title of Rising Hanbok Star. A frequent presence at international fashion fairs and in the global content scene, Leesle Hwang is redefining cultural fashion—not just preserving tradition, but making it speak to the world today.