Dan Nguyen ’26 embraces creativity through Fashion Initiative club

Dan Nguyen ’26, an international student from Vietnam, is pursuing his passion for creativity at Gettysburg College. Looking for a creative outlet, he founded the Fashion Initiative club on campus to inspire self-expression throughout the community.

“Fashion has always been an integral part of my life,” explained Dan Nguyen ’26, a double major in computer science and mathematics at Gettysburg College. 

Growing up in the Hanoi—the capital city of Vietnam—and spending a significant amount of his childhood in Tokyo, Nguyen was exposed to a diverse range of styles from a young age. “People tend to express themselves more in cities, and it has always made me want to do the same and experiment with different clothes,” he said.

Arriving at Gettysburg College, Nguyen quickly found a community that embraced his creativity. Eager to promote self-expression on campus, he founded the Gettysburg College Fashion Initiative—a club that has grown significantly in its membership and held several successful events on campus. He is grateful to Student Senate for supporting the initiatives.

Dan Nguyen ’26

Nguyen’s strong leadership skills were on full display when planning the Culture Shock Fashion Show last April in collaboration with the Gettysburg African Student Association. “Seeing people want to be a part of the event showed that Gettysburg is a very tight-knit and diverse community,” he shared. “We partnered with brands from Brazil, Vietnam, New York City, and the local area. We also collaborated with numerous campus organizations, including the Digital Age club and the Bomb Squad dance group.” 

The Fall Vintage Market this November was another impactful event. The Fashion Initiative partnered with 22(9) Vintage Wares—a vintage clothing store in downtown Gettysburg—and more than 20 other vendors for a day of clothing sales, food trucks, and live music from the student-led Listeners & Performers. 

“It was great to see people really enjoying the vintage market,” Nguyen reflected. “It was a huge success, and we plan on hosting it every semester from now on.”

In addition to his work with the Fashion Initiative, Nguyen works in the mail room and was recently elected president of the Sigma Chi fraternity. After graduation, he hopes to pursue a career that will blend his studies with his passion for creativity. 

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By Brooke Askin '25
Photos by Ashley Carbonier ’25
Posted: 01/14/25

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