Victor Tung: San Francisco's Own Haute Couture Master

I was amused to wake up to an email from the KQED Arts editor with the subject line “this guy.”

“Alright,” I thought, “who’s this guy?”

The man in question was Victor Tung, a San Francisco designer and creator of one-of-a-kind silk couture fashions. My editor had walked by his store and suggested I follow up because the shop was “so visually stimulating.” So, I decided to investigate.

Starting his Chinatown store six years ago, Tung says his original inspiration for becoming a designer was that he never found the clothes he wanted to wear. Ultimately he began to construct his own designs. After receiving a lot of praise and admiration for his creations, Victor Tung Couture was born.

Courtesy: Victor Tung Couture

Using primarily silk for his designs, everything is entirely one-of-a-kind. He hand paints many of his pieces, while the rest of the fabric that is used is imported on a small scale from Europe. He wants every design to be truly unique.

One dress, the designer’s masterpiece, is constructed from the cocoons of silk worms. It took him over four months to complete.

Tung produces bags, hats, scarves, wedding gowns, party dresses, and evening separates. With every piece, his intention is to “enhance a woman’s natural beauty.” He doesn’t want his designs to take center stage when worn. Instead, he says, they should simply be “embellishments.”

Courtesy: Victor Tung Couture

Tung is also a master of customized pieces, with about 50% of his work designed for specific customers. It is convenient for Bay Area residents because it is usually difficult to have couture fashions made locally. With his business, buyers get to have an in-person interaction with the designer and regular check-ins.

Courtesy: Victor Tung Couture

Customizing is one of Tung’s favorite things. Because service is such a priority for the designer, he wants his fashions to be affordable as well. Unlike other couture designers, Victor Tung Couture prices range from $300 and cap off at around $3,000. “I’m an artist, not a businessman,” he says.

Victor Tung Couture is located at 654 Commercial Street in San Francisco. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 10am – 4pm. For more information, visit vtcouture.com.