Me and My Emmy: Helen Huang

Primetime Emmy Tally: One

How She Got the Gold: For outstanding costumes for a contemporary series, limited series or movie, in 2016, for FX’s American Horror Story: Hotel.

Now for the Noms: Huang won on her first nomination.

Winning, Unwinding: “The awards ceremony was a whirlwind. I remember that as soon as I won, I was stressing about whether to bring my purse with me on stage. Of all things! I also recall later that night, vegging at home on the couch with my husband, in our PJs, Emmy between us.”

Dressy Decision: “For Emmy night, I really wanted to look and feel like myself, just fancier. I wore a dress from The Row that did exactly that.”

Award Awareness: “I keep my statue on our bookshelf in the living room. Every time I look at it, I am reminded of the experiences that led me to it and the possibilities for the future.”

Scary-Good Gig: “Working on American Horror Story: Hotel was both stressful and exhilarating. When you come out on the other side, you’re just that much better at your craft. It was an irreplaceable experience that continually informs my work.”

Clothes Calling: “I had always been attracted to telling stories through visuals. I originally wanted to be a painter, but as soon as I started working in TV it felt like the stars had aligned. Costume designing is the perfect medium for me because it combines my passions in life: art, aesthetics and storytelling.”

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This article originally appeared in emmy magazine, Issue No. 9, 2021