International fashion designer Danny Nguyen’s couture designs have graced runways in New York, LA, and Paris—but now, he’s laser-focused on putting Houston on the global fashion map. Alongside his wife and collaborator Kristina Phan, Nguyen is leading a series of events under The Grid Show, a movement to establish Houston as a fashion hub while honoring his Vietnamese heritage and uplifting AAPI voices.
Nguyen’s story echoes the American Dream. He immigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam at six with his twin brother, David, and his parents. They settled in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where his mother ran a small tailoring business. As the only English speaker in the family, he helped her run the shop—an experience that shaped his creative and entrepreneurial spirit.
Now based in Houston, Nguyen draws inspiration from his upbringing and his mother’s perseverance. “She taught me to be persistent and consistent,” he says, noting that practice and resilience have guided his success.
Through The Grid Show, the couple is producing monthly fashion events that lead up to Houston Fashion Week in November. Their goal? To show local designers and artists that they don’t need to leave Houston to thrive.
The Grid Show
- June: Fashion Night Out (mini fashion show)
- July: Danny Nguyen F/W 2025 Fashion Show
- August: The Grid Show Symphony Concert
- September: The Grid Show Art Show
- October: Monster Bash Fundraiser
- November: FASHION WEEK HOUSTON