Museum Curator Jackie Yoong On Her Favourite Exhibitions So Far, Top Fashion Reads And More
Asian Civilisations Museum’s senior curator, who has worked on several popular exhibitions here in Singapore, gives us an insider look at what it takes to bring fashion alive.
By Nicole Ng - published
Jackie Yoong dives deep into the world of fashion and design. The senior curator, who leads the design team at the Asian Civilisations Museum and Peranakan Museum, is behind some of the most recognisable exhibitions held here, from “Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture” to “Andrew Gn: Fashioning Singapore and the World”.
Naturally, she is at the top of the list for the best exhibitions and museums to visit around the world, fashion-related reads and advice for those who are looking to follow in her footsteps.
Below, she recalls her most memorable moments as a curator, shares her best advice and more.
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Could you share one memorable time from your time at work?
The “Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture” exhibition.
The final days of “Guo Pei: Chinese Art and Couture”, and seeing queues at the Asian Civilisations Museum. There were concerns about displaying contemporary fashion for the first time, but the response was positive. Seeing the exhibition pave the way for more contemporary fashion and design exhibitions is something I am deeply grateful for.
What is your style philosophy?
Jackie Yoong, in all-black, working on Andrew Gn’s exhibition.
Black. I love how it sharpens appreciation of silhouettes and textures. My colleagues recommend I wear brighter colours on camera, but as a curator, I prefer to recede and let the objects take centrestage.
What are some reads you’d recommend to fashion lovers?
Faith Cooper’s Asian Fashion Archive. It’s an invaluable list spanning Asia, including Southeast Asia. With books on the region’s fashion histories still relatively limited, it’s a great resource and starting point for anyone curious to learn more.
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What has been a standout exhibition for you so far?
The “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” exhibition.
“Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” at the V&A, curated by Claire Wilcox. It transformed how I thought creative storytelling and immersive design could create emotional experiences that resonate. It inspired me to delve deeper into fashion design and imagine how underrepresented stories in Asia could be expressed in museums.
What is a must-see exhibition here?
The special showcase in September of past President*s Design Award recipients, which marks its 20th anniversary. It brings together designers and designs that have made a difference in Singapore and beyond. Our artists are often better known than our designers, so it’s a chance to discover their work. Examples include Andrew Gn, Nathan Yong and Hans Tan, whose work we collect at ACM.
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What is a piece of advice you have for those looking to become a curator?
Look closely at objects: their materials, details and how they are made. Stay curious about people, ask questions and make connections. Read widely and build deep knowledge on a subject you genuinely care about. And see as many exhibitions as you can to experience how stories come alive in space.
What inspires you the most, creatively?
A Hanae Mori exhibition at Tokyo’s National Art Centre.
As Diana Vreeland said, “The eye has to travel.” I’m endlessly curious, and visiting designers’ ateliers and spaces across Asia can feel like entering little portals into another world. Add museums, food, performance, and everyday life, and we see how different cultures shape ways of thinking and making.