Mr. CHRIS CU TRAN

CU Tran arrived in the United States in 1977 as a seven-year-old Vietnamese refugee, carrying little more than resilience and imagination. His artistic talent was first recognized by a high school art teacher, who encouraged him to attend LACHSA—one of the nation’s most prestigious fine arts high schools.

After graduation, he won FIDM’s national Designer of Tomorrow competition, earning a full scholarship. In 1989, he completed his studies at FIDM and was immediately recruited to design for “Direction Men” in Los Angeles.

Two years later, he relocated to New York and co-founded “Endo NY” with Rafael Martinez. Missing the spirit of Los Angeles, he eventually returned and launched “1849 Emporium,” a women’s and men’s collection distributed through Nordstrom, major retail chains, and boutiques nationwide.

His true breakthrough came with a defining collection rooted in spirituality, connection, and creative intelligence. The line gained global recognition and was worn by icons such as Madonna, Britney Spears, Halle Berry, Justin Timberlake, Eva Mendes, and many others.

Today, U Tran channels his lifetime of experience into Culture United—a modern, soulful fashion movement made in Vietnam that celebrates Communication, Understanding, and Unification. It stands as both a tribute to his personal journey and a bridge connecting generations, cultures, and the enduring Vietnamese spirit worldwide.