We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alexandre Nguyen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alexandre below.
Alexandre, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
A big part of my resilience comes from patience. When I was younger, I was impatient and wanted quick results to prove myself to others and to my parents. Over time, I realized that what really matters is how I feel about my own progress. I’ve learned to appreciate the journey more than the results. Prayer and staying focused on the present moment also help me stay resilient.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I’ve been a fashion photographer for five years, and since September of last year, it has been my full-time career. What I love most about my work is the opportunity to travel. I’ve visited cities like Paris, Milan, New York, London, and Copenhagen, which fulfills my passion for exploring new places. What makes these trips even more meaningful is having a purpose—capturing unique moments and telling compelling stories through my lens. During my travels, I’ve had the privilege of meeting icons I admired growing up, including Zinedine Zidane, Kyrie Irving, Kelela (my favorite singer), Method Man, and even Adam Sandler during a stroll in SoHo, NYC.
Fashion weeks are a central part of my work. Over the past two years, I’ve attended 73 runway shows and over 30 backstage events, documenting the creative process and forming connections with brands. My favorite part of fashion weeks is meeting people and capturing BTS moments that bring authenticity and depth to the fashion industry. Each year, I attend Men’s Paris Fashion Week in January and June, and sometimes Women’s Paris Fashion Week in March or September, as well as Copenhagen Fashion Week in August. In 2024, I reached a significant milestone by attending New York Fashion Week for the first time, completing my experience of the world’s top five fashion weeks. When possible, I also visit Milan in February or London in June. These moments are more than just work—they are experiences that ignite my creativity, passion, and sense of purpose. They truly make me feel alive.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
The three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are resilience, self-commitment, innovation, and a strong sense of observation. I constantly strive to generate new ideas, whether it’s in my approach to work or how I think. I’ve also been fortunate to learn quickly from my mistakes and experiences, which has been essential for my growth.
For those just starting out, my advice is to stay curious—ask questions and remain open to learning new perspectives and approaches. Take the initiative to create opportunities for yourself and connect with the right people. Embrace creativity, not just in your work but also in how you observe and interpret the world around you. Take chances, even if you feel afraid. The worst thing you can do is let fear hold you back from an opportunity. And if you miss a chance or fall short, see it as a valuable lesson. Every experience, whether it’s a success or a failure, is an opportunity to grow. With time, you’ll gain the hindsight and wisdom to improve and become the best version of yourself.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
The most helpful influence has been myself—my intuition, my challenges, and my fears. Overcoming internal obstacles has been crucial to my growth. Additionally, meeting strangers and having meaningful conversations with them has often acted as a form of mentorship and guidance. These interactions provide fresh perspectives, valuable insights, and the inspiration to keep evolving.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nguyenlens.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexandrenguyentai/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandrenguyentantai/
Image Credits
BTS at Songzio FW24 – PFW
BTS at Songzio SS25 – PFW
BTS at Songzio SS25 – PFW
Off-White SS25 – NYFW
3.1 Phillip Lim SS25 – NYFW
Boyarovskaya FW24 – PFW
BTS at Nanushka SS25 – NYFW
BTS at Feng Chen Wang SS25 – PFW
Credit: Alexandre Nguyen
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
