10/04/2025
Aum Tenzing Wangmo has been running her textile shop for over four decades, a pioneer in Bhutan’s textile trade alongside her husband. Together, they established Dorji Gyeltshen Tshongkhang, fondly known as Sephub Tshongkhang, named after her husband’s region, known for its bold entrepreneurial spirit.
They were among the first to introduce mill-made textiles to the masses, at a time when handwoven fabrics were, and still are, a luxury. Affordable, durable, and colorfast, ‘Sephub textiles’ quickly became a staple in every closet. Their longevity alone is in a contradictory way a nod to sustainability, sometimes outlasting handwoven natural dyed textiles by years.
Of course, this doesn’t discount the cultural weight of handwoven traditions, which deserve every bit of preservation. But businesswomen like Aum Tenzing Wangmo remind us that accessibility is its own kind of revolution. She made everyday elegance possible for the commoner.
Always dressed to the nines, whether I come to her shop for my personal indulgence or to introduce a guest, she remains a fixture behind the counter, signature short bob in place, a style mark of her generation. Impeccable, enduring, and quietly iconic … she represents the unsung fashion heroes of Bhutan tucked in our everyday spaces.
Cheers to that 🍸 🍺
