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Sheena Khemaney

Contributing Editor, Style by SCMP and Post magazine


Established in 2014 by Cheryl Leung, Hong Kong-based fashion label Sau Lee first caught our eye with its range of contemporary evening wear and modern take on the cheongsam. While the traditional Chinese dress is often reserved for weddings and other formal occasions, the brand’s fashion-forward interpretations have made it more approachable and accessible.

We speak with Sau Lee’s talented creative director and founder about her design inspiration, multicultural upbringing and more.

Tell us about your label.
Sau Lee is a luxury fashion house made for today’s cosmopolitan heroine. It began with a desire to form a new genesis of female glamour in Eastern-inspired sartorial sensuality made for the modern generation of polyculturalists; to empower the everyday woman to live her reverie in new ways that she creates, not what was created for her; to be the hero of her own story. Envisioned by women for women, every style is meticulously designed for our heroine to feel effortlessly beautiful, captivating and deserved.

How has your upbringing influenced your designs?
I knew I wanted to begin with a cheongsam-inspired style but reinterpreted with a modern international flair, as I have always been mesmerised by the perfect balance of elegance and understated sexiness that is delineated through its iconic design features – the high collar, side slits, Chinese frog fasteners and piping, to name a few.
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Having been brought up in interweaving cultures from both the East and West, it became an important mission to me to create a polycultural fashion brand that truly celebrates inclusivity and moves the conversation forward from just “East meets West”, by embracing Eastern-inspired sartorial sensuality with contemporary fashion.

What made you want to start your own business?
It was my childhood dream to be a fashion designer. I have always loved drawing dresses from a young age and being a creator felt like an undeniable life purpose for me. While I was working at Lane Crawford Joyce Group, I was doing a lot of research into contemporary brands and soon learned that many successful fashion brands started off with one collection, which was sold at markets or small shows before gaining recognition and momentum in the industry. This was when it hit me that my dream is achievable.

What have you learned since starting your own brand?
It has proven to be a long-winding process to sustain a global fashion brand that is based in Hong Kong. When I started Sau Lee nine years ago, it was evident that imported brands had an unshakeable demand in the local market. I decided to develop my audience abroad to first grow a healthy business, and then find the perfect moment to expand back East, including Hong Kong. When we witnessed a shift in attitude towards local brands during Covid-19, I knew it was finally time to cement our footprint in Hong Kong and the rest of Asia.
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Where do you get your inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from the female muses around me, my mother being the first and foremost. Growing up, I witnessed her keeping a fine balance between being an accomplished businesswoman, a loving mother and household gatekeeper. I’m always in awe of her and every empowered woman who is making greater strides, which continuously inspires me to celebrate the beautiful essence of strong females. In fact, Sau Lee is a love letter to these women.
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Style chatted to Sau Lee founder Cheryl Leung. Photo: Handout

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Founded in 2014 by Cheryl Leung, Sau Lee is a popular fashion label that has attracted a cult following for its contemporary take on evening wear and the traditional cheongsam
Designed for ‘today’s cosmopolitan heroine’, the Hong Kong-based brand is ‘envisioned by women for women’, and saw rapid expansion in Asia during the Covid-19 pandemic


Taking a modern approach to traditional garments like the cheongsam, Sau Lee has quickly cemented its status as one of fashion’s hottest labels – we chat to founder and creative director Cheryl Leung
