Thị Minh Huyền Nguyễn // Interdisciplinary writer. Artist-scholar. Designer in training.
Born in Germany to Vietnamese parents, life was about labour, we were poor, so I started early – be it helping my parents in their restaurant, waiting tables at a café, or working at a retail store. Reflecting on my teenage years, I only experienced real pleasure in combination with work, when it came to my creative pursuits. Later on, my gap year in the U.S., after high school, marked a turning point. I started writing a youth column for the local newspaper and so, I earned my first coins through writing.
However, after my bachelor’s in media studies, I had the chance to move to NYC to work full-time for a sports and well-being brand. Being their employee no. 1, I was exposed to everything from business strategy to sales to distribution & e-commerce platforms as well as marketing, production and creative direction. While I learned a ton and took it all in, I was also part of a thriving running community there.
Eventually, I moved back to Berlin in 2018 to pursue my master’s. I was yearning for a break from the hustle in NY and sought more stability. While writing my thesis, I started freelancing again as a writer, creative consultant or model. Initially, it was tough being back here, as I missed my diverse friends and their perspectives overseas. I was like “where are all the people of color?” I also experienced the lack of female and women of color leadership in the sports industry, so coming here, I knew I wanted to start my own run club. Through movement, I was able to gain more confidence which throughout the years, I translated into my everyday life – that same energy and outlook I wanted to pass on to other marginalized people. Today, @joyruncollective is that expression.
Right before I submitted my master’s thesis, I also took up the courage and apply for design school. Fashion design has been a childhood dream of mine, but my parents never agreed with it. You know, “they didn’t come here for me to pursue the arts.” Over the years, I have also been involved in a few anti-racism projects such as @ichbinkeinvirus and @biwocrising, and I appreciate the experiences I have made and the work we put in so much as well, but I keep thinking about this quote by Toni Morrison: “The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being,” thus it is also important to go pursue your art, go write your book, go tell your story, and try to do the things you dreamed of doing, because we need culture makers and artists and writers, too.
Do you want know more about Huyền’s (she/her) work? Go check out her account on Instagram!
About:
Huyền works between fashion, art, culture and sports. Through her projects, she focuses on empowering BIPOC communities. She is the co-founder of @wayvrunkollektiv and @wocforward. Previously she was involved in anti-racism projects such as @ichbinkeinvirus. Huyền also recently founded a new running club called @joyruncollective. She was part of the mediation team of the 12th Berlin Biennale and has published work in Vogue Germany, Konfekt Magazine, Daddy Magazine, Friends of Friends and diacritics (DVAN). Her first group exhibition in collaboration with SAVVY Contemporary took place at Museo MAGA in Milan. After a master’s in media studies, she is currently pursuing a degree in fashion design. Her clients include Nike, Acronym, Maurten, District Vision and more.
? Najim Jansen & Denzel Mohlman
