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.. New York-based Nepalese-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung developed an interest in Fashion at an early age… inspired by his mother Durga Rana who 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 in New Delhi, India before moving to New York to enhance his education 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. He prefers to manufacture his collections in New York to support the local community. 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 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.

Per The Interview: “At this point in his career Gurung conveys absolute clarity of vision. He maintains a balance between the business and creative aspects of his work by focusing on numbers and logistics until 3 p.m., then throwing himself into the designing half of his day with an imperviousness to outside whims.”

And his star continues to rise. Prabal Gurung FW23 was well received by fashion connoisseurs and editors. 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.”

But what sets the fashion designer apart is his conviction to unite activism, inclusivity and justice in his work. Prabal Gurung believes in giving back. In 2011 Vogue spotlighted The Shikshya Foundation: a non-profit program founded by him to benefit underprivileged young girls n 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 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, his Spring 2020 collection featured the burning question “Who Gets To Be American?” on sashes worn by the models and his Autumn Winter 2019 collection supported the Black community. What’s more proceeds from one of his collection was donated to The Bail Project: a nonprofit organization that pays bail for people in need.

Vision

New York-based luxury fashion brand Prabal Gurung has a vision to unite activism, inclusivity and justice through his body of work. The award-winning Nepalese-American fashion designer is the darling of the global A-list set and use both his voice, fame and earnings to support causes like Planned Parenthood, anti-racism and voter registration. He also created a relief fund for Nepal earthquake victims in 2015 and opened a non-profit program to benefit underprivileged young girls n Nepal funded in part with his CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund prize winnings.

Mission Statement

Modern luxury, indelible style and an astute sense of glamour

Products and Services

Luxury fashion brand Prabal Gurung retails womenswear including dresses- tops- skirts- pants and outerwear beautifully complemented with a line of 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

• Official website Prabal Gurung
• Prabal Gurung Talks Fashion, Inclusivity and Patriotism WWD
• Vogue profiles Prabal Gurung Vogue
• An interview with Prabal Gurung The Interview
• Facebook account of Prabal Gurung Facebook
• Prabal Gurung Fall Winter 2023 Vogue
• Why Designer Prabal Gurung Doesn’t Want To Just Stick to Fashion Asia Society
• Prabal Gurung, Phillip Lim And Dao-Yi Chow Emerge As Leading Voices For #StopAsianHate Forbes
• Instagram account of Prabal Gurung Instagram
• Shikshya Foundation by Prabal Gurung Shikshya Foundation
• Prabal Gurung BoF
• Prabal Gurung SS23 Vogue
• Twitter account of Prabal Gurung Twitter
• Brand History Prabal Gurung
• YouTube channel of Prabal Gurung Youtube
• Return Policy Prabal Gurung
• LinkedIn account of Prabal Gurung LinkedIn
• Education for change Himalayan Times
• Wiki page of Prabal Gurung Wikipedia
• Prabal Gurung is the thinking woman’s designer Hindustan Times