Prabal Gurung is a man that’s made his name out of making women look beautiful. Actresses such as Demi Moore and Jessica Chastain rely on him for the red carpet, the Duchess of Cambridge was snapped across Singapore paying homage, and we’ve lost count of the number of times Michelle Obama has turned to him for a dazzling, floor-skimming showstopper.
On Tuesday I was lucky enough to view his 2018 resort collection at “Cocktails and Conversation with Prabal Gurung,” which took place Moda Operandi’s London HQ. During the event, Gurung chatted openly with Vogue Features Director, Sarah Harris, about what and who inspires him from day to day.
Born in Singapore and raised in Nepal, Gurung is keen to highlight his diverse background and working-class roots. Speaking to Vogue a few years ago, he spoke warmly about the many thousands of letters he’d received from fans with similar upbringings, inspired by the fashionable path he’s carved for himself. Eventually Gurung ended up in New York where he worked for many of fashion’s elite, including Bill Blass and Donna Karan.
“I’ve only ever wanted to create clothes that make women look beautiful,” he says. “I don’t chase what’s cool. I’ve always had very strong females in my family and I knew from them that getting dressed is a process.” Indeed he cites his hardworking mother as his earliest muse, and goes on to talk about other driven women who have shaped his life and career.
Since fulfilling his dream to dress Princess Kate, Gurung now says he’d like to see one of his gowns on Angelina Jolie. Besides her beauty and talent, Gurung praises Jolie’s ability to reinvent herself, and use her power for the greater good. He doesn’t believe that masculine dressing is the only way to emphasise feminine power, instead asking, “Why can’t a pink dress with ruffles be used in the same way?”
But another thing that strikes me about Gurung is his humility. Despite the droves of stars waiting to wear his high-end collections, he remains true to his roots and humble in manner, personally greeting everyone at the event and taking time to chat as we browse his designs.
The collection itself is as varied and encompassing as its creator. Expect long hems, open shoulders, extravagant ruffles, flares, frills and polka dots-a-plenty. There’s also an emphasis on semi-sheer fabrics. Why? “Because women are flamboyant, emotional and they change their minds all the time,” he laughs. And we can’t really argue with that!
