Jon Stojan
Image credit: Leon Kornegay
When Leon Michael Kornegay was enrolled in college in Arizona, his academic days were divided between endless nights spent studying and a relentless pursuit of creativity. One day, he drew a circle in which he sketched his initials, MK, on a piece of paper, and an idea was born. Since then, the simple circled MK evolved into a profound mission of sparking creativity. To fuel this quest, Leon recently launched Belgium by MK, a luxury fashion brand where quality and vibrancy meet.
For Leon, this commitment is personal. Growing up in a family of five boys and one girl, this designer’s style was deeply influenced by his mom—a city girl whose outfits always had a modern, urban flair. Despite not always having the resources to dress in high-end, latest fashion, Leon followed in her footsteps, quickly developing his own unique designs.
His infatuation with entertainment deepened his interest in fashion. Leon shares, “Here, inspiration is everywhere. Celebrities break the rules every day, and they make it work. After all, who said you can’t make a dress out of paper clips?” Quirky, bold, and inspired by uniqueness, Leon infused Belgium by MK with that same unbridled creativity, creating pieces that are both functional and a work of art.
Though creativity has been a part of his life since childhood, the brand’s seed was planted when Leon started designing practical, eccentric, and luxurious shoes while working on a ship as a merchant marine. With precision, he would adjust logo placement, perfect the colors, and choose the right materials, with the final product offering comfort, longevity, and interchangeable soles.
In every design, Leon draws inspiration from the experiences that shaped him. As a marine, he traveled far and wide, studied in Hawaii, and explored the diverse cultures of the world, from Scotland to Russia to Japan, now fusing these influences in Belgium by MK’s offering. This dedication to diversity is not a coincidence either, as Leon’s life has always been affected by his multicultural heritage. “I’m Indian, Eskimo, Black, and German, and this diversity hasn’t always been easy. In the past, I struggled to feel like I fit in,” he reminisces. “Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace the different cultures and styles that made me, and I want to honor all of them in my designs.”
But for this artist, fashion isn’t the only creative outlet. For many years, he has been captivating audiences with catchy tunes and powerful lyrics, having written many songs spanning different genres. His music journey—though started with hardcore hip-hop and rap—has evolved alongside Leon, now fusing pop elements. His style might have changed, but Leon’s inspiration always remains the same: the world around him, the emotions he feels, and random thoughts that he transforms into poignant stories.
At the heart of Leon’s creative endeavors are fusion and evolution, and this mindset translates to the clothes he designs. When visiting the Belgium by MK website, clients are instantly transported into a world of luxury fashion, elevated with Leon’s abstract flair. From the Spandex women’s range to versatile T-shirts and comfortable, statement shoes, Belgium by MK addresses the needs of the bold, unique, and creative modern-day consumers, delivering exceptional quality without compromising practicality.
What about the future? Apart from securing partnerships with physical retail shops and expanding its reach, Leon will continue empowering people from all corners of the world, inspiring those who don’t fit into molds to embrace their uniqueness. Additionally, a portion of Belgium by MK’s profits will be used to distribute Belgium, Leon’s children’s book, to disadvantaged regions and underserved communities.
“The brand I’m building is not only about fashion; though that’s an essential component, it couldn’t have been done without creativity and a vision. Belgium by MK is all about connecting people,” shares Leon. “The dream is to see Belgium by MK in every single country, worn proudly by people of all walks of life. Every day, I hope to build a community of like-minded, supportive, and artistic souls that make everyone feel like they belong, one Belgium by MK item at a time.”