Story by Rachel Kim

Fashion designer Sena Yang

In a time when designers are faced with setbacks due to cutting costs and being more consumer conscious, it’s difficult for new designers to rise and bravely face the current economic situation. Despite the struggles of the fashion industry, there is one particular fashion designer that has a different story. Her name is Sena Yang. The Bellevue native graduated from The Rhode Island School of Design in 2006 and has worked at places like Alexander McQueen, Catherine Malandrino, Sue Stemp and LaROK.

The young designer who once called Bellevue home has relocated to the Big Apple and recently released her private label, SENA. The fashion line is available at over 30 different retail locations nationally and internationally such as Fred Segal, Fun, Big Drop, Gregory’s, Kitson, Elyse Walker, Dighton Rhode, and RevolveClothing.com.

Q&A with Sena Yang

SCENE: Describe your early life in Bellevue and how your upbringing played out in your design in terms of collection and the direction of where your line
is heading?

Yang: I commuted from Bellevue to Seattle while attending The Bush School. The school was very close to Capitol Hill and we’d take every chance to run out there and scour all the vintage shops like Red Light on Broadway and Value Village for thrift finds that we could alter into new clothes. The vibe of the Hill was incredible as it still resonated the Seattle grunge aesthetic that was still holding on strong from the 90’s amidst a serene Seattle backdrop with Mt. Rainier on the horizon. Seattle and Bellevue were great places to dream especially through grey rainy days inside coffee shops like Bauhaus, where in high school I’d dream of life in New York. 

SCENE: Do you see your collection being carried here in Bellevue, and if so, where?

YANG: There are definitely many pieces that could work well with Bellevue customers. I lived in Bellevue for almost two decades and understand this customer very well as I still refer to Nordstrom as “Nordy’s”. Bellevue is a vibrant city that is growing at an exponential rate. Every time I come back home to visit I’m blown away by all the new construction and how much the downtown area has changed. It’s amazing to see places like Neiman Marcus and The Bravern in downtown Bellevue giving shoppers and retailers an incredible new experience.

SCENE: How do you describe style here in the Pacific NW/Seattle
or even Bellevue?

YANG: PNW style is very eclectic from REI sporting types, polished young professionals to quirky vintage creatives. The most well known fashion trend to come out of the Northwest was grunge and it has been one of the strongest trends dominating the runway for several seasons and still today. 

SCENE: In your opinion, how different is ‘style’ from the East Coast?

YANG: The looks here are a lot more pulled together with a different type of polish and formality.  However, I believe there is no right or wrong with either coastlines as the beauty of style is so individual.  But I think the Eastcoast is catching on to the Westcoast idea of laid-back cool as they have opened up an Ace Hotel in New York that also holds a Pacific Northwest Night for all the Westcoast transplants.

SCENE: How does Sena fit into Bellevue’s ‘style’?

YANG: There are a lot of layering options and basics with a twist along with great going-out pieces.  The majority of the collection can be worn to be dressed up or down to cater to a multitude of styles.  A lot of the clothes are also pre-styled for a girl with an on-the-go lifestyle, helping create effortlessness in dressing. 

SCENE: If somebody that lived in Bellevue/Seattle saw your line, how would it fit into their wardrobe?

YANG: Several of the pieces are very wearable and can easily translate to their current wardrobe from our Illusion and Moto Leggings to our Lady Luck Cardigan as they can be mixed and matched with what basics and other items they already have. The pieces are really special so they help give that extra lift to give their existing wardrobe a great new downtown edge. We also carry chic and sexy going-out dresses for an amazing night out on the town like our Vandal or Cut-Out Dress.

SCENE: Are there any elements of the Pacific NW or even Bellevue implemented into your creativity when designing Sena?

YANG: It’d be the idea of style with ease and many of the pieces having a relaxed Westcoast vibe with Eastcoast attitude. I’m a firm believer in that style should be effortless.

SCENE: How did your move out of Bellevue affect your inspiration in design, work or your brand?

YANG: Bellevue was a great and quiet place to grow up and my parents encouraged both my sister and I to pursue creative activities from a young age.  We were always drawing, painting, sculpting and being exposed to an incredible amount of Classical Music and Oldies. My grandmother also taught me how to sew and I would watch her sew clothes on a vintage Singer machine and be completely hypnotized by it. The move to New York was what helped fuel an even stronger drive in creating my own clothing line. New York has an electricity like no other city and you instantly become a part of its amazing energy and this led to the launch of SENA last September.

SCENE: How would you describe the Sena girl? 

YANG: She’s a girl who lives and seeks life creatively using the city as her canvas. She’s feminine, independent, worldly, bold and is adventurous with her choices and doesn’t take no for an answer.

SCENE: So how does someone in Bellevue fit into that SENA client? 

YANG: The line suits a wide range of clientele so anyone can easily transition it into their wardrobe!   

SCENE: What kind of advice do you have for aspiring fashion students here in Seattle or Bellevue? 

YANG: Experience is crucial and completely necessary in obtaining a broader and deeper understanding of the industry. I recommend working Internships in New York for a real hands on experience. If you can’t leave Seattle or Bellevue there are still places to work locally. I’ve actually interned at The Seattle Opera House’s Costume Department and had great exposure to details of period pieces and construction. My parents took me to the Opera frequently as a child, so it was amazing to see all the work that went on behind the scenes. 

Get the complete scoop on Sena Yang by visiting, www.senanyc.com

Designs by Sena Yang, 2010

Catch a glimpse of celebrity Kim Kardashian in a Sena design by clicking here.

To order the SENA Cut-Out Dress ($385.00) in black or white as seen on Kim Kardashian, visit www.singer22.com.