Meet Leanna Blake

We recently connected with Leanna Blake and have shared our conversation below.

Leanna, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.

That’s a great question! Confidence is more about ability, while self-esteem is tied to your personal self-worth. For me, building confidence came relatively easily, although I did struggle with it after my car accident. But I’ve always had that hustle, I had no choice but to believe in myself as a child because I felt I was my only way out. I constantly worked on building that belief, envisioning a different life beyond my upbringing and wanting to escape my environment. I committed to working hard, what we called hustling, so I would never have to live in that environment again. Fashion has always been a passion of mine. Whether I was dressing stylishly for school or going out with friends, I’ve always gotten compliments on my looks. And even if I didn’t, this is who I am. I taught myself how to sew in 2013, became a fashion designer in 2014, and I’ve never looked back. Fashion is my life; I love what I do and do what I love. One of my biggest fears was speaking in front of large crowds. I had many opportunities to speak, but I often let them slip away due to that fear. Someone once said to me, “Leanna, if you want it, you need to seize the opportunity.” That really resonated with me. The first time I spoke on stage was at the Rice Awards in 2019, and by 2022, I became a motivational speaker. It’s important to get out of our own heads because fear isn’t real; it’s something we create in our minds. Overcoming that fear has been a key part of building my confidence. When it comes to self-esteem, there is absolutely nothing you can say to me that would make me feel less of myself, especially now in 2025. I’ve dealt with self-love issues stemming from my childhood, ( being Raped) where I struggled to love myself. That led me to pick the wrong partners, looking for love outside when all I really needed was to love myself first. But when it comes to my self-esteem now? Oh my goodness, you can’t tell me anything! It’s funny, before I started wearing wigs, I used to be so in love with my forehead. But after wearing wigs for a while, I noticed that my forehead was actually bigger than I thought. Now that I’ve gotten older, I’ve embraced my forehead once again. Self-esteem comes from loving you and taking care of yourself. If you aren’t happy with being overweight, it’s simple: work hard and make a change. That requires discipline and effort, and if you don’t want to go to the gym, invest in yourself in other ways. Ultimately, it’s about valuing yourself and making choices that reflect that self-worth.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My name is Leanna Blake, most call me Queen Glitterati. I’m a fashion designer, wardrobe stylist, author, and executive producer of my own reality show, as well as a co-producer on other pilots. Being a fashion designer has always been my dream. I’m a self-taught designer; I taught myself how to sew in 2013 and officially became a fashion designer in 2014.

What I love most about my work is the ability to bring my vision to life. But the most rewarding part is making my clients’ dreams come true. Seeing the smile on their faces when they wear my creations for special events is priceless. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of helping someone feel like a celebrity for a few hours.

In Atlanta, where everyone wants to feel special, I love transforming everyday people into their most glamorous selves, just like Cinderella at the ball. That moment when they wear my designs and feel extraordinary is what drives me. Whether it’s for a woman or a man, I strive to give my clients that magical experience, complete with beautiful outfits and accessories.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about upcoming events and projects, including new collections and collaborations that will continue to elevate my brand. I want to create even more opportunities for people to feel special and empowered through fashion.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, the most impactful qualities on my journey have been believing in myself, embracing my uniqueness, and committing to hard work and discipline. Believing in myself opened doors that I manifested. Choosing to be true to who I am, even when others called me weird or doubted my path, was crucial. I’ve been told countless times that it wouldn’t happen, that I wouldn’t make it, and that I should pursue something else. But staying true to myself and combining that belief with hard work truly opened up opportunities.
For those who are early in their journey, my advice is to stop listening to the noise around you, especially the negative voices. Keep your aspirations between you and God, and focus on nurturing your creative self. Put in the effort, stay disciplined, and just do it. Trust the process, be patient with yourself, and remember that your unique qualities are what will set you apart and lead you to success.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

“Rich Dad Poor Dad” is one of my favorite books and has been very impactful in my development. One of the best lines that resonated with me is, “The fear of being different prevents most people from seeking new ways to solve their problems.” That was so powerful and really made me reflect on the importance of embracing uniqueness. Another line that stood out was, “Opportunities come and go. Being able to recognize opportunities is a skill.” This insight emphasizes the need to be aware and proactive in pursuing the chances that come our way. Both of these lessons have significantly shaped my approach to challenges and opportunities in my life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @pulchrcouture