By now you’ve probably figured out that we’re not real fashun people -- just two siblings experimenting our way through this passion project. 

And we’re taking you on the hot mess express with us. Via our newsletter TRANSCRIPT, we'll document and share what’s really going on while we build our fashion brand from scratch. 

And let us tell you, the last two weeks have been insanely stressful and very messy. 

Just as we were getting ready to launch our debut collection, Papa Trần or ‘Ba’ as we call him, had a stroke and ended up in ICU. 

A couple of days into Ba's stroke, we had to face the decision we’d been putting off: Do we launch or hold? Do we got this or no? 

After consecutive days of hospital visits and nights of little sleep, my exhaustion made the decision for us. I called Pete and said,“I’m overwhelmed. I don't think I can do this”.

He agreed. And we hit pause. It was a weird mix of disappointment and relief.

And it got me thinking about the fragility of running a two person, family business. When shit hits the fan, everything stops. There’s no ‘team’ to keep things moving along. 

Then, Pete came up with the idea of pivoting and focusing on TRANSCRIPT — while Ba recovers and we regroup mentally and emotionally (and hopefully catch up on some sleep).

Le and Pete Trần

My house is a mess.

I’ve taken the ‘spare desk’ thing too far. It’s now the default storage for my un-filed documents, bills I’ve been avoiding, travel things I haven’t unpacked yet.

And that’s just the spare desk.

The couch is full of dog fur, laundry still sitting in the dryer waiting to be folded, and half of my plants are dying.

For the past three weeks, I’ve been in/out of hospital visiting Dad, driving back and forth from east to west, holding down the day job,  and keeping the tranproject dream alive.

It’s been hard. 

But, when I look at the state of my house, I also feel strangely, full.

The desk sitch reminds me of the fun places I've been to and the nicknacks I've collected along the way; the furry couch reminds me that I cuddled the hell out that dog and he cuddled me back when I needed it most, and the dying plants remind me of that time my fiddle fig tree lost all its leaves but then I changed it's position, watered it every day and it CAME BACK TO LIFE.

Life is messy as hell right now.

But despite it all, I’m grateful. I’m hopeful.

Le and Pete Trần

As you know, life threw us a few curveballs recently.

Even though we thought we could keep all the balls in the air, some had to drop for sanity’s sake, so we put tranproject on ice for a few weeks. Pete managed to sneak in his honeymoon in Japan (more on that next time). And Le tackled that furry couch with a vacuum. 

Now, with Pete all loved up, and Le with the clean couch, it’s game on. 

First things first, Side Hustle Sundays is back—this is our weekly brainstorming, task-mastering and naval gazing session.

Sometimes it’s over Zoom ‘cos we’re lazy; other times, we camp out at Mamma Trần’s, hoping for a homemade Vietnamese meal as reward. 

At this week’s Side Hustle Sunday, we set a new launch date for our debut collection (hint: its going to be in early 2025!)

But honestly, restarting is hard. Getting our heads back in the game is a slog. When times get tough, it’s easier to let a self-funded, passion project like this quietly fade into the void.

But you, our first believers, keep us motivated (and accountable). So thanks for being here and for sticking with us.

(Back) From the Brink,

Le and Pete Trần

Hey, it’s Pete here. I recently went to Japan.

Here’s what I did:

I lined up for food

I lined up for shopping

I lined up for local attractions

Basically, I became one with the lines. I was willing to wait for things that I would never have the patience for back home — and looking back, it was all worth it.

Because after lining up, I actually noticed things. I watched how stuff was made and appreciated all the little details: like the care in assembling my bowl of ramen, the precision of the bartender pouring my cocktail, the perfection of my coffee.

In Japan, the makers make while the customers wait. The end product is 👌 and everyone is happy.

I got me thinking. What if we applied this to clothing? What if we all slowed down to appreciate how our garments are made? 

This is what we’re doing with tranproject: a handful of pieces, designed really well, made-to-order, just for you. 

Le and Pete Trần