Movie star Tippi Hedren and 20 young Vietnamese refugee women are credited with starting the trend of Vietnamese American ownership of nail salons.
It began after the Vietnam War, when many Vietnamese refugees came to the U.S. Recently, Soogia, a small business owner and social media creator, explained this history online in response to questions from her followers.
In 1975, after the Vietnam War, Tippi Hedren, working as a relief coordinator for Food for The Hungry, noticed that Vietnamese women were fascinated by her manicure.
“Tippi Hedren was working with 20 Vietnamese women, and she couldn’t help but notice how much they were paying attention to her manicure, and they were so interested in how clean and pretty her nails were,” Soogia shared.
This interest inspired her to arrange for her manicurist and other professionals to teach these women how to do nails, helping them adjust to American culture.
The actress’ manicurist trained the Vietnamese women weekly, helping them get licensed and find jobs once ready. These women then shared their new skills with other refugees in their community.
Soogia highlights the influence of Black culture on nail salons, noting that while Vietnamese Americans drove the industry, Black women, including icons like Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Florence Griffith Joyner, Meg Thee Stallion, and Cardi B, shaped its cultural impact.
The rise of the nail industry is a story filled with unexpected turns, starting with 20 determined women, an actress who recognized an opportunity for refugees, and the cultural influence of prominent Black women.
Tippi Hedren’s key role in helping Vietnamese people establish themselves in the nail salon business has earned her the title of Godmother of the Vietnamese nail industry.
Vietnamese immigrants have transformed the nail industry by making manicures and pedicures affordable and accessible to the general public.
Today, the nail salon industry is worth about $8 million, with around 40% of U.S. nail technicians being Vietnamese women and 80% licensed manicurists in California.
Getting a nail license is short and inexpensive. It doesn’t require advanced English skills, which has led many Vietnamese families to open salons in small towns nationwide.
However, in these predominantly white communities, they often feel isolated as one of the few Asian residents.
While Vietnamese immigrants often find success in the nail salon industry, the profession poses significant health risks.
Workers are exposed to harmful fumes and chemicals that can irritate various body systems and act as endocrine disruptors, said Strike Magazine.
Over time, this exposure can lead to severe health issues such as tumors, cancers, birth defects, and neurological disorders.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese families, central to the nail industry, work hard to support their U.S. families and send money to relatives in Vietnam.
Their dedication is fueled by a desire to improve their skills, help their children succeed through college in America, and, for some, return to Vietnam one day.
The documentary “Nailed It,” available on Tubi, delves into the connection between Vietnamese nail salons and Tippi Hedren and the spread of these salons across America.
The brief history lesson surprised many, prompting some to share their personal connections.
Comments ranged from gratitude for the newfound knowledge to emotional reflections on family ties.
Hedren and the original 20 women still have occasional reunions, unaware of the significant impact they would have on the nail industry, Joy Sauce noted.
Thuan Le, one of the original group, notes in a VTV World report that they initially saw nail work as a way to support their families.
She reflects that they never expected the industry to become so large in the U.S. and worldwide.
This growth is attributed to Vietnamese people’s dedication, hard work, and creativity.
This remarkable story resonates with many, offering a piece of history that can be shared. For those seeking more details, the documentary provides further insight.
Here’s Tippi Hedren telling her story with the 20 young Vietnamese and the nail industry:
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