Prabal Gurung

Summary

Nepalese-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung launched his eponymous label in 2009 with a design aesthetic rooted in modern luxury and quiet glamour.

History

Born in Singapore and raised in Kathmandu, Nepalese-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung developed an interest in Fashion at an early age as his mother Durga Rana owned a fashion salon. Before giving wings to his passion and entering the fashion industry, he began his fashion education at at the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi before moving to New York to finish his studies at Parsons The New School for Design.

On graduation, Gurung spent two years with Cynthia Rowley before he was appointed design director at Bill Blass, a position he held for five years until he launched his eponymous label… at New York Fashion Week. Per Vogue, it was “… a clever hand at draping, a comprehension of graphic color, and a boldness that banished any notions of nicey-nice. ‘A thinking man’s sex symbol,’ Gurung later said of his ideal customer. ‘A beautiful woman with brains, a lethal combination.'”

Today, his collections are sold in over twenty countries, featured in International fashion publications and favoured by the global A-list set including U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama, The Duchess of Cambridge, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rooney Mara and Anne Hathaway. In addition to designing for his own label, Gurung was chief designer for Onward Kashiyama’s ICB in 2011 and partnered with Target in 2013. His star continues to rise. Prabal Gurung SS23 was well received by fashion connoisseurs and editors alike. Per Vogue, “The collection was a dialogue between western and eastern modes of dress, between hard and soft, and masculine and feminine. Historically, Gurung has never been a minimalist, but as he suggested backstage, all is change.”

Vision

A luxury brand with a soul

Mission Statement

Modern luxury, indelible style and an astute sense of glamour

Products and Services

Apparel and accessories

Awards and Recognition

In 2010, he was the recipient of the Ecco Domani Fashion Fund Award and selected as runner up for the 2010 CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund. The following year, he was one of USA Network’s Character Approved Award recipients; named goodwill ambassador of Maiti Nepal; finalist of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award and proud recipient of the Swarovski Award for Womenswear at the CFDA Fashion Awards.

Philanthropy

Gurung believes in giving back. In 2011, Vogue spotlighted The Shikshya Foundation, a non-profit program founded by him to benefit underprivileged young girls in Nepal. Funded in part with his CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund prize winnings, the foundation also funds workshops and orientations in mathematics and finance.  In addition, Gurung supports Planned Parenthood, ACLU, voter registration, served as one of the judges for Gold House’s Gold Rush initiative, which provides economic support to Asian and AAPI-led businesses, and has also created a relief fund for Nepal earthquake victims in 2015 which raised almost one million in funds. Gurung also lent his support to a campaign to stop the rise in Asian hate-crimes and racism; being an immigrant, a minority, his Spring 2020 collection featured the burning question “Who Gets To Be American?” on sashes worn by models; his Autumn Winter 2019 collection supported the Black community; and proceeds from one of his collection was donated to The Bail Project, a nonprofit organization that pays bail for people in need.

 References

1. https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/designer/prabal-gurung
2. https://asiasociety.org/blog/asia/why-designer-prabal-gurung-doesnt-want-just-stick-fashion
3. https://www.businessoffashion.com/community/people/prabal-gurung
4. https://www.theday.com/music/20180204/is-prabal-gurung-the-most-woke-man-in-fashion/
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prabal_Gurung
6. https://www.hindustantimes.com/brunch/prabal-gurung-is-the-thinking-woman-s-designer/
7. https://wwd.com/eye/people/prabal-gurung-talks-fashion-inclusivity-and-patriotism-1235002354/
8. https://www.interviewmagazine.com/fashion/prabal-gurung
9. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyaklich/2021/04/02/prabal-gurung-philip-lim-and-dao-yi-chow-emerge-as-leading-voices-for-stopasianhate-but-what-about-the-rest-of-luxury-fashion/
10. https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/fall-2023-ready-to-wear/prabal-gurung