Mr. CU TRAN

VIETNAM

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 his high school art teacher, who encouraged him to attend LACHSA, one of the nation’s most prestigious fine arts high schools. After graduation, Cu 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 moved to New York and co-founded “Endo NY” with Rafael Martinez. Missing the spirit of Los Angeles, Cu returned home and launched “1849 Emporium,” a women’s and men’s collection sold in Nordstrom, chain stores, and boutiques nationwide. Cu’s true breakthrough came with major de*lema?, a collection rooted in spirituality, connection, and creative intelligence. The line reached global acclaim and was worn by icons such as Madonna, Britney Spears, Halle Berry, Justin Timberlake, Mana, Eva Mendes, and many others. Today, Cu channels his lifetime of experience into Culture United—a modern, soulful fashion movement made in Vietnam, celebrating Communication, Understanding, and Unification. It is both a tribute to his journey and a bridge connecting generations, cultures, and the enduring Vietnamese spirit worldwide.