What began as a recovery project after ankle surgery soon blossomed into something much bigger: a brand that celebrates heritage and local identity. Back in university, YeoMama Batik’s founder and designer, Desleen Yeo, ran a small blogshop for extra cash, never imagining it would evolve into a fashion label rooted in batik. A spontaneous phone call from her mother during a trip to Indonesia introduced her to vibrant fabrics, inspiring her to create flattering, everyday pieces for curvier women. Since launching the first cheongsam collection in January 2018, the brand has navigated the challenges of running a fashion label in Singapore—from shifting perceptions of batik and learning every aspect of production to adapting to remote operations during the pandemic. Through it all, YeoMama Batik has remained committed to honouring traditional craftsmanship, supporting artisans, and celebrating the multicultural locality. By blending the nation’s roots with the current times, the brand creates pieces that are as meaningful as they are wearable, empowering customers to feel confident, connected, and at home in their own skin.
How did your journey in fashion begin, and what continues to inspire your work?
Back in university, I ran a little blogshop to earn some extra cash—I’ve always enjoyed making and selling things. I majored in business, went into full-time piano teaching after graduation, and later transitioned into the events industry.
In October 2017, a small accident led to ankle surgery and left me stuck at home. Around the same time, my mum was on vacation in Yogyakarta. One day, she called me and excitedly shared that she had stumbled upon a variety of beautiful batik fabrics. She suggested we try selling batik clothes in Singapore—especially for curvier women like herself, who often struggled to find flattering and well-fitting pieces. That spontaneous phone call planted the seed for YeoMama Batik. I had no formal training in fashion design, but I had a good eye for aesthetics and a creative vision for turning traditional fabrics into clothing I wanted to wear—both for everyday life and special occasions. With a leap of faith (and a lot of heart), we launched our very first cheongsam collection in January 2018.
What have been some of the biggest challenges of running your label in Singapore, and how have they shaped your direction?
One of the biggest challenges was changing people’s perception of batik. We had to reintroduce batik as something vibrant, modern, and made for everyday wear—and for all body shapes and sizes. It took time, creativity, and a lot of storytelling to shift those mindsets. Another major challenge was learning everything on the job—from design, production, and logistics to marketing, finance, and supply chain management. Then came the pandemic, which brought a whole new set of obstacles. When borders closed, we had to move everything online. The process became slower, shipping costs went up, and there were a lot more back-and-forths.
But one unexpected upside? I had to use Bahasa Indonesia so much—speaking and typing daily—that I became a lot more fluent. It helped bridge communication gaps and strengthened our relationships with our artisans and tailors, which is something I’m really grateful for.
How does Singapore’s culture shape your work, and how has your design language evolved?
As a Singaporean, our early designs naturally reflected elements of the local culture and heritage because I started by creating clothes I personally wanted to wear. We also make it a point to spotlight traditional batik-making techniques and the artisans behind the craft. Our designs also celebrate the multiculturalism that makes Singapore so special. One example that stands out is a cheongsam-sari fusion we created for a lovely customer’s multi-racial wedding. We’ve also incorporated local symbols into our batik motifs—including the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid, our national flower—and most recently, we collaborated with an artist to design prints featuring iconic tropical elements like durians, lions, and palm trees.
What started as a simple project to pass time while I was recovering has since grown into something much more. One of the most meaningful moments was when customers started sharing how confident and seen they felt in our pieces. Messages like those are what keep us going. Another was the launch of our yearly Pinktober collection, dedicated to raising awareness for breast cancer. We feature survivors and everyday people as our models, and those shoots always feel raw, real, and deeply empowering. It’s our way of giving back in the ways we know how.
“As times change, our designs must evolve too—not to dilute the tradition, but to make it accessible and relevant.”
What does ‘home’ mean to you, and how does it feed your creativity?
Home, to me, means family—it’s where everything began. I wouldn’t be who I am or where I am today without my family. Their love, support, and encouragement through every win and challenge, big or small, are what I treasure most. That’s why, at YeoMama Batik, we make it a point to design pieces for the whole family. Our collections include a variety of styles and prints, thoughtfully created for people from all walks of life. Family is truly at the heart of everything we do. And at its core, YeoMama Batik is about helping people feel at home in their own skin. It’s a celebration of identity, heritage, and the people who shape who we are.
Do you think about legacy when creating, and how do you balance heritage with modernity?
I don’t actively think about building a legacy when creating new collections—that can feel overwhelming. Instead, I focus on the people and the community. What are they drawn to? What brings them joy? If we can stay true to our design principles while creating pieces that people love and connect with, then that in itself becomes a legacy—one that’s lived and worn every day.
When it comes to balancing heritage with modernity, I instead focus on the community, our lifestyles today, and designing comfortable pieces that we genuinely want to wear—using traditional batik as the foundation. The balance between modernity and heritage happens naturally. The result is something fresh and unique, grounded in tradition but very much made for the present. I believe that by modernising this traditional art form and making it wearable for everyday life, we’re already making a meaningful contribution to Singapore’s cultural and design heritage. As times change, our designs must evolve too—not to dilute the tradition, but to make it accessible and relevant. Only then can more people learn about and appreciate the beauty of batik.
Can fashion be a form of cultural storytelling in Singapore? What stories do you hope your work tells?
Yes, definitely. Batik is a beautiful art form, deeply rooted in history, culture, and craftsmanship. At YeoMama Batik, we begin every design with authentic, handmade batik sourced directly from skilled artisans in Indonesia. While interpretations of “handmade” may vary, we honour the definitions upheld by the batik communities we work closely with—whether it’s hand-drawn (batik tulis), hand-stamped (batik cap), or hand-printed using traditional methods.
Each piece of fabric carries its own story and spirit. Sometimes, a print just ‘speaks’ to me—and from there, we imagine the silhouettes it could take on. Depending on the vibe or occasion, it might become a breezy co-ord, a playful cropped top, or a stylish jumpsuit for everyday wear. Our goal is to strike a meaningful balance: preserving the heart of tradition while adapting it for modern, everyday lifestyles.
If your brand was a Singaporean dish, what would it be?
Definitely rojak. It’s messy, bold, colourful, and full of surprises—just like us! Rojak brings together different flavours and cultures into one dish, and somehow it works beautifully. That’s what YeoMama Batik is about too: mixing the traditional and the modern, and the playful and the meaningful. It’s an honest, unapologetic celebration of who we are.
