A fashion star is born: the rise and rise of Prabal Gurung

Gurung with models at his last show Photo by Patrick McMullan Company

The one to watch on NYC’s fashion scene right now is a young designer called Prabal Gurung.
Originally from Nepal, Gurung has in quick succession – just in the
last few days - achieved a fashion hat trick that has other
up-and-coming designers weeping with envy. This month he’s the subject
of a feature in Anna Wintour’s Vogue; on March 9th First Lady and
fashion plate Michelle Obama wore one of his dresses for an official engagement in DC; and last night he was nominated for a CFDA Award (the
fashion Oscars) in the emerging talent category. His stock is so high
right now he’s finding all the attention hard to take in.

Gurung makes “clothes for a thinking-man’s sex symbol,” which is
how he described his inspiration for his first solo collection in
2009. He studied at National Institute of Fashion Technology Delhi,
before taking positions at Donna Karan and Bill Blass. Now he has his
own label and the fashion industry has welcomed him instantly with open
arms.

“Prabal embodies the American dream,” says Amina Akhtar the Fashion
Editor at NYMag.com. “His story is so amazing—his background in Nepal
and his rise in the industry. But it’s his clothes that really make him
a success story. He really is the new American designer. The dresses
are elegant, extremely well-made, and just beautiful. Who doesn’t want
to wear them? And he’s not an overnight success story—he’s had training
at Bill Blass and Donna Karan and it shows. It’s wonderful to see
talent and hard work recognized. Also, he’s just the loveliest person
on the planet.”

Says Maggie Betts, his close friend and sometime muse: “Watching it
all from the vantage point I have, I certainly wouldn’t describe him as
an overnight sensation. He’s very much the opposite, someone who has
worked incredibly hard, really pushed himself and his talent and
persevered to get to where he is. He committed himself to a dream, went
through hell and back to get it, and that’s what makes him different
from so many others. He sees the larger picture in fashion and is in it
for the long haul. Nothing puts a bigger smile on my face then to see
him finally arrive, it couldn’t have happened to a more sincere person.”

For any Brits reading this, Gurung is stocked at Harrods in London.
His fans here in the States include Demi Moore (she calls herself his
number-one fan), Rachel Weisz, Oprah Winfrey, Thandie Newton, Leighton
Meester and Zoe Saldana. One can only wonder what dizzy heights Gurung
will reach next. The CFDA Awards are announced here in NYC on June 7th.

Gurung with Anna Wintour Photo by Patrick McMullan Company