Trang Phung is the founder and chief designer of SEN Couture, an American-made clothing line. The showroom is located on Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood.
Growing up in Saigon, Viet Nam, where the country was always at war, she felt like that was the only way of life. After the war was over in 1975, her family was living in distress when her father was sent to a concentration camp. All her dreams were taken away in her teen years. When she was 17 years old, her mother used most of the family’s savings to send one person away to the Free World to save the family. Trang was the chosen one out of the 6 siblings – she was their only hope. She was a part of the infamous “Boat People Exodus” wave. They traveled on a small fishing boat and landed in an Indonesian Refugee Camp and stayed there for a year before coming to the United States. After 10 years in America, Trang was finally able to immigrate all 9 members of her family, to reunite in California.
Trang remembers how she used to look at people working in the Financial Industry, everybody in a suit, looking sleek and she dreamed of becoming one. She managed to work her way into a successful career within the financial services industry as a Financial Planner at Fidelity Investments, LLC, and then a Regional Vice President at Nationwide 401K Division. Afterward, she chose to pursue her career dreams in the fashion industry by founding SEN Couture and serving as its CEO.
Trang always had a certain vision for what she thought was beautiful. She had the ability to draw and loved to sketch designs because she loved to create, but most of all loved fashion. Trang often gets complimented on her knack for throwing together unique outfits. Her vision was already shaped from the time she was a child.
Trang’s exquisite taste combined with her passion allowed her to create critically acclaimed designs and generate a growing list of exclusive, as well as non-exclusive clientele. In just a brief period of time, SEN’s designs have been selected to be worn by many high-profile celebrities, such a Jennifer Lopez, Mariah Carey, Dolly Parton, Brittany Spears, Toni Braxton, Bella Hadid, Carmen Electra, and many others. The designs have been seen at major events such as the Golden Globes, Emmys, Grammys, People’s Choice, MTV Music, BET, etc., as well as in many elite magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Glamour, People, and Cliché Cielo, etc. All of Sen Couture’s press occurred organically, without paid public relations.
SEN means Lotus flower in Trang’s native language. Growing up as a Buddhist, Trang learned that Lotus is the symbol of Buddhism, representing purity, overcoming challenges, which she feels resonated with her personal path.
In continuing her spiritual practices of kindness and giving, Trang shares her blessings by supporting many charity events, sponsorships, and volunteers her time, especially to a cause that involves orphans in undeveloped countries. She donates regularly to International Kids Fund (IKF), a non-profit foundation, dedicated to providing immediate medical care to poor, critically ill children around the world.
Trang said her inspirations derive from a woman’s divine feminine beauty, which to her are grace, class, and elegance. In the near future, her plan is to expand and rebrand the company into a Trang Phung brand. She recognizes that in today’s highly competitive retail environment, brand differentiation is essential. In addition, the consumers will then be able to directly identify the Trang Phung brand on a more personal and energy-centric basis, which reflects her essence that has been the primary driver of sales and overall growth since the company’s inception.
Trang’s passion for life and the determination to come through all obstacles, and to rise above is an inspirational story. It is a reminder that hardships and challenges in our lives are valuable lessons to build us and make our journey much more meaningful.