Tuyen Nguyen ’20 started volunteering in the Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection fall semester of her sophomore year and became a research assistant the following semester. She graduates with a major in Fashion Design Management and a Business minor. This past year, she was inducted into the Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society.  Tuyen is an active leader on campus and has served on the executive boards for the Cornell Vietnamese Association, the Cornell Fashion Industry Network, and the Cornell Fashion Collective. She is also a member of the Cornell Catholic Community. For two years, she worked as an Undergraduate Consultant for the Cornell Center for Teaching Innovation. It has been a joy to work with Tuyen, who always approaches her projects in the collection with a smile and sense of determination. Continue reading to learn more about Tuyen and her work in the CF+TC!

What project did you find most fulfilling?

I really enjoyed helping with the curation process of the TEXTURE exhibit. As one of the very first projects I was able to help with, it was fun to explore and peruse the entire collection to pick out my favorite pieces that would highlight the variety of beautiful textures we have in the collection. Along the way, I was able to learn more about the story, designer, and construction techniques of each garment. I was able to apply my knowledge of different fabrics, which I had observed from my India trip, to further research each garment. While I was proud to be able to explain the resist-dye process of creating bandhani and how the jacquard loon operates to produce a damask, I also learned about new techniques like the silk pleating popularized by the Fortuny Delphos gown. Overall, I was able to learn about the process of curating an exhibit and had the opportunity to learn so much about the beautiful textures and interesting techniques used to create the range of fashions and accessories we displayed.

What project challenged you the most?

Since English is not my first language, public speaking is one of my biggest challenges. There were multiple times I had to stand up before an audience to speak about my work in the collection or my research on the curated items, which always gave me a lot of anxiety. I always ended up reading straight from a script or winging it and blanking on half the information I had planned to cover. However, as I got to know the collection more, speaking about it and the pieces got easier. The handful of times that I spoke in front of the public also gave me a chance to practice and overcome my fright.

What is your favorite piece in the collection?

My favorite piece in the collection would have to be the aqua crushed pleated silk gown and overcoat set designed by Patricia Lester (2012.08.027ab). Looking at the color brings me a lot of joy and the pleated silk technique creates such a beautiful texture that drapes nicely on any form.

What has been your favorite exhibition over the past four years?

Although I have enjoyed all the engaging exhibitions, I loved the WOMEN EMPOWERED: Fashions from the Frontline, which was curated by students in Professor Green’s class, Anthropology of the Fashioned Body. The curators were very passionate during their talk and the message was immensely inspiring, highlighting “how women strategically use fashion for empowerment and collective upliftment.”

How do you think your experience working in the collection shaped your college years and how has it prepared you for the future?

Over the years, working in the collection has taught me to look beyond the surface and materiality of the fashion industry. The collection made me search for a deeper understanding behind garments and textiles in my daily life. This mentality to question the story, the history, and meaning behind each piece has made me a better critical thinker in my classes and during internships. I was able to consider ideas and analyze any topic by searching for context and histories, leading me to consider a plethora of perspectives that would enhance and strengthen my work.