Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung has established himself as a prominent Nepalese American fashion designer, known for his eponymous label and contributions to the industry and various social causes. After serving as design director at Bill Blass for five years, Prabal Gurung launched his eponymous label, PRABAL GURUNG, during New York Fashion Week in February 2009. The label swiftly gained recognition for its distinctive gowns and dresses, attracting an elite clientele including former First Lady Michelle Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris, the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton, Oprah Winfrey, and actresses such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Anne Hathaway, and Demi Moore. His collections, known for their diverse cultural influences, quickly garnered industry accolades.

In November 2010, Gurung was a runner-up for the prestigious CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund and was chosen for the CFDA Fashion Incubator from 2010 to 2012. He further secured the Ecco Domani Fashion Fund Award in 2011 and a nomination for the 2010 CFDA/Swarovski Womenswear Award the same year. Building on this early success, Gurung was appointed chief designer for the relaunch of Onward Kashiyama’s ICB collections in Europe in 2011 and was commissioned by Sephora to create new uniforms that same year. He was also recognized as a finalist for the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award in 2012.

Looking ahead, Prabal Gurung’s leadership within the fashion industry is further underscored by his upcoming role as vice chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), effective December 2024. His insights and journey will also be shared with a wider audience with the release of his memoir, ‘Walk Like a Girl’, scheduled for May 2025.