If Fanwood had a catwalk, the red carpet would have been rolled out for the Aug. 1 grand opening of Seng Couture, a new women’s clothing boutique offering “elegant apparel for today’s woman.”

Located on South Avenue in the newly constructed shopping center across from the Fanwood Train Station, Seng Couture is the first retail store for designer/owner Chamroen Seng and husband, Sanh Truong, of Piscataway—and the only clothing store in Fanwood.

“We sell high-end women’s sportswear and gowns,” Seng said. “We have clothes for the mother-of-the-bride, bar mitzvahs, and other special occasions. Whatever style you need and whatever size you are, come down to the shop and we’ll take care of you. Our lines are beautiful, one-of-a-kind, and have the highest quality workmanship.”

Glossy hardwood floors, a low-lit chandelier, and a tasteful, upscale setting showcases Seng’s personal fashion line, the “Illiana Collection,” which she named after her two daughters, Illiana, 8, and Liliana, 12, The boutique also carries high-end fashions by the following well-known designers: Michael De Paula, Stephen Yearick, Ysa Makino, Rina De Martina, Tina De Martina, Frascara, Dina-Bar-El, Ideas by Barbara, Daymor, and Junnie Leigh.

Alterations, tailoring, and custom design work can be done on site to accommodate any size, style, color, or fabric. Ready-made apparel runs from $200 to $4,000 and custom designs range from $600 to $3,000. Seng Couture will also be expanding its offerings to include purses.

Seng has been sewing and designing clothes since she was 15 years old. She is originally from Cambodia, where her unique fashions and clothing collections were so sought after. Seng was even commissioned by the wife of the prime minister to create fashions for her personal collection.

After Seng immigrated to the United States in 1995, she worked in a retail store, and then moved on to designing and selling high-end women’s couture out of her home. Word of mouth and referrals about Seng’s hand-made, custom lines quickly spread, and she and her husband, Truong, decided to expand the business to the new site on South Avenue.

“Fanwood is a very beautiful town, a lovely town,” said the petite, soft-spoken designer, who has already befriended her neighboring merchants. “I saw this plaza, I did research, and I asked the landlord about this place. Everybody told me Fanwood is a wonderful town.”

“Fanwood also supports small businesses which was important to us,” Truong said. “When my wife and I drove by, we just fell in love with it.”

The specialty boutique shop is part of Fanwood’s Downtown Redevelopment Project.

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Seng Couture

226 South Ave., Fanwood

908-322-8700

Store Hours:

Mon.-Sat. 10 am-6 pm & Sunday by appointment only.

Parking in rear.

Trunk Show Special Discount: 20 percent off Illiana Collection from 8/1-8/8/09.

Free alterations on any purchase from 8/1-8/31/09.