Prabal Gurung
Have you heard of Prabal Gurung? He was born in Singapore of a Nepalese couple and he’s the hottest new fashion designer to hit the world scene. In fact, some of Hollywood’s most famous actresses swear by his designs. Not bad for a guy only in his 30’s.
Although we may be quick to accept his success, it wasn’t until the President’s wife, Michelle Obama, wore one of his designs that his parents finally gave him the credit he deserves. Prabal says of this: “My mom had always kind of brushed off my success. She would say, ‘Talk to me when Michelle Obama wears one of your designs’. She was the first person I called when I heard the news.” This is an amazing story of success.
What about the others besides the President’s wife? Demi Moore has mentioned him on twitter. Rachel Weisz wore one of his dresses on the red carpet. The editor of American Vogue, Anna Wintour, has given him her backing.
Unfortunately, as the saying goes, no one is a prophet in their home town. Where he comes from in Nepal, there is little respect for people in his line off work. “Of course, I am not as famous as (local actor) Bhuwan KC.” he said. It seems that Bhuwan KC’s dresses sell from 1,400 dollars — almost four times the average annual salary in Nepal.
When speaking about his own people he says, “But considering the economy here and lack of disposable income Nepalese people have, they are very creative. I think they are way more fashion-conscious than lots of South Asians.” He visits his family once per year and credits them with his success. It seems that the clothing business is big to his family back home in Kathmandu.
It could be that the uncommon diversity in his own family contributed to his creative talent. “The person that I am today is all down to my family, especially my mom, who believed in celebrating differences and not following the norm.” His mother belongs to the Rana dynasty of politicians that ruled Nepal for a large part of the 20th century, while his father is from an ordinary working class family. This is a big deal to mix like that in their culture. It wasn’t approved by the parents and they moved to Singapore as soon as they married to avoid the backlash.
In his early fashion days, he worked for the Mumbai fashion designer Manish Arora. Arora has a modern take on traditional Indian dress that has won him international recognition. In 1999, Prabal moved to New York where he worked as an intern for the designer Donna Karen. Working his way up in the fashion industry, he designed for New York fashion houses Cynthia Rowley and Bill Blass. He eventually reached the level of design director.
After launching his business out of his New York apartment and holding his first show during New York fashion week, he finally has success with his own label. “I remember as a teenager watching fashion shows on a television program called ‘Style by Elsa Klench’ on CNN. I never thought I would be doing something similar.”
Within a year of launching his own brand, he won the support of the most influential woman in the fashion business: Anna Wintour. These are the things that rocket one to success in the fashion world. He said: “Every designer wants Anna’s approval.”
Prabal believes coming from Nepal has given him an advantage: “Nepal is known for its beauty and spirituality, for Mount Everest and for Buddha. That’s a rich heritage to belong to, to grow up and be associated with.”
Once again, ethnic diversity and challenging the norms brings new talent to the world. We applaud Prabal Gurung and his work and look forward to many years of his exciting and refreshing designs.
