What Happened To Trey Phillips From Laguna Beach?
"Laguna Beach" was the hit early 2000s MTV reality show that centered around the lives of teenage high-schoolers and their relationship dramas. Among the cast was Trey Phillips — the skateboard-riding, laid-back, California kid who seemed wise beyond his years. During his time in "Laguna Beach," Phillips was highly involved in a club called Active Young America and organized open mic sessions at local cafes. He also displayed an interest in fashion design and once accompanied Lauren Conrad and Stephen Colletti to a fashion show in Los Angeles.
In 2005, Phillips organized a fundraising event to help the victims of the Bluebird Canyon landslide. The benefit, which included a fashion show, raised more than $23,000. "Fight the Slide concept is not a one-time issue; it's not going to make everything better. We need to continue to fight this together," Philips said during the event.
When the seniors at Laguna Beach High graduated, Phillips was seen packing his bags and going off to New York for college. It's been almost 20 years since we last saw Phillips on television and here's what he's been up to since "Laguna Beach."
Trey Phillips pursued his dreams of being a fashion designer
After graduating from high school, Trey Phillips attended Bard College in upstate New York to pursue his passion for human rights. However, his love of fashion called to him and he dropped out of school to start a sunglasses and hat company. "[I] totally fell on my face ... Basically, I learned that I didn't know as much as I probably should, so I went back to school for it," Phillips shared on the podcast "Back to the Beach with Kristin and Stephen."
Phillips enrolled in the Parsons School of Design and studied Fashion Design and Renewable Energy. In 2010, he landed a job at Vera Wang as an associate designer for their ready-to-wear collection. Phillips spent seven years working closely with Wang, learning the ins and outs of the fashion industry. He then helped his friend and fellow fashion designer Michael Halpern launch his career and eventually followed him to London to work on the clothing brand, Halpern. Since then, Phillips has been all over Europe working closely with Halpern, frequently taking the time to visit landmarks and spending time with friends and family. He still hasn't lost his passion for activism and isn't afraid to stand up for what he believes in.
Trey Phillips is still an activist
Although fashion is his main love, Phillips still takes the time to fight for human rights. In August 2021, he shared a lengthy post on Instagram regarding the war in Afghanistan and Iraq. "This is a picture of college me in Time Square protesting the Iraq war and the loss of brave and patriotic young Americans for a war based on "failed intelligence" that did so much more harm than good ... Please, please do what you can to protect young Afghani women during this time," he wrote.
In another post, Phillips expressed his dismay at the overturning of Roe vs. Wade in 2022. "For certain people, let me try explaining it this way... The Supreme Court just took away your guns, but for women. Which means, this country better get ready for a show down," he captioned.
Phillips makes time for friends and family. In June 2021, he shared a picture of his parents visiting him in London. "Took my parents for high tea. These two make me laugh so much! Another beautiful showing by @the_berkeley," he wrote. Phillips is also still close to his "Laguna Beach" buddies. In 2016, he and Stephen Colletti were groomsmen at Dieter Schmitz's wedding. He posted a picture of the three friends looking dapper in tuxes. "Originals," he captioned. Indeed, no one can top the original "Laguna Beach" cast and it's heartwarming to see Phillips thriving since the show.