Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung was born in Singapore in 1974 to Nepali parents and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal. His mother, Durga Rana, was a former boutique owner. Before entering the fashion world, he earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel management from the National Council of Hotel Management, Catering Technology and Applied Nutrition. His early interest in clothing and colors led him to the National Institute of Fashion Technology in New Delhi, India. In India, Gurung apprenticed for local fashion houses and began designing with Manish Arora. He spent seven years traveling to Australia and England, assisting stylists and editors with fashion shows and photo shoots, before returning to Nepal. In 1999, Gurung moved to New York City to complete his studies at the Parsons School of Design. While studying at Parsons, he interned with Donna Karan, gaining industry experience.

Following his internship, Gurung spent two years on the design and production team at Cynthia Rowley. In 2004, he was appointed design director at Bill Blass, a position he held for five years. In February 2009, Prabal Gurung launched his eponymous label, PRABAL GURUNG, during New York Fashion Week. His label quickly became recognized for its gowns and dresses, attracting high-profile clients 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 often draw inspiration from diverse cultural influences, including Yves Saint Laurent, Nobuyoshi Araki’s photography, and literary characters like Miss Havisham.

Beyond his work in fashion, Gurung is actively involved in philanthropic endeavors. In 2012, he established the Shikshya Foundation in Nepal, a non-profit program dedicated to benefiting underprivileged children. This foundation has supported over sixty students and funded workshops for teachers. Gurung also supported Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, and voter registration, and created a relief fund for victims of the April 2015 Nepal earthquake, raising nearly one million dollars. He also joined the “Stop Asian Hate” campaign to combat the rise in Asian hate crimes. In 2017, he became the creative director for the Japanese jewelry house Tasaki. As of December 2024, he holds the position of vice chairman of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). His memoir, ‘Walk Like a Girl’, was released in May 2025.