Global fashion darling Prabal Gurung returns to Asia

Prabal Gurung, a leading force among emerging global fashion designers, recently made his annual trip home to Nepal. CNNGo sat down with the multicultural designer (born in Singapore, raised in Nepal, educated in India) for a rare, personal interview from his hometown, Kathmandu.

Major celebrities -- including Oprah Winfrey, Zoe Saldana, Leighton Meester, Rachel Weisz, Carey Mulligan, and Demi Moore -- have worn his designs, and he has received rave reviews in publications such as Vogue, New York Times and Women's Wear Daily.

Prabal addresses entrepreneurs

While giving the keynote at the Entrepreneurs for Nepal (EFN) event at Dwarika's Hotel, Prabal shared his life story openly and honestly, from not fitting in in a rigid educational system in Kathmandu, to his glamor days studying at the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT) in India, to that moment when he decided to go to New York to attend Parsons the New School for Design, to a much later moment when he decided to start his own line, Prabal Gurung, just last year.

A humble and respectful speaker, Gurung was eager to convey that he was incredibly proud to share in their Nepalese heritage and that he never forgets his country. From press interviews to professional endeavors, it is true that Gurung has maintained close ties with Nepal; he mentions Nepal in almost every interview, even if from New York City, and one of his knitted dresses was made in Nepal and worn by Zoe Saldana.

Prabal's early life and inspirations

Sitting down over mint tea at the lavish Hyatt Regency Kathmandu, Gurung shares a side of himself rarely covered by the press. 

From an "eclectic" family, Gurung's upbringing was not typical of Nepal. His parents, from different ethnic castes, were married in the 1970s at a time when that was extremely uncommon. "You can imagine the impact that had in the Nepalese society within their communities. Needless to say, it wasn't a walk in the park. It was tough for them." But, he asserts, "Nepalese people have this quiet strength that in spite of all the adversities, whether it's the economy or the political situation, there's always a smile, I feel."

Gurung's hobbies growing up were dancing and singing and he was "lost in his own world," as someone who considered himself a "minority" and who did not share the same athletic interests as his classmates in his all-boys school. "As proud as I am of the school that I went to -- this was in the 1980s and 1990s -- they kinda didn't get me. Neither did Kathmandu or Nepal."

Gurung grew up reading books alongside his entire family and when finished, comments such as "that was good," were not enough. With a writer for a father, Gurung and his siblings were encouraged to analyze and delve deep into the layers of a story. Gurung took that same appreciation of layers into his designs; the purposeful folds and bold framings are in part attributed to the native Newar dress of Kathmandu, whereas the classical elegance of his clothes are an effort to restrain the hyper stimuli of India, a place Gurung adores.

One of Prabal's shining moments was when Michelle Obama wore his design.

Being himself

India embraced Gurung and allowed him to be himself. It was there that Gurung grew beyond the confines of a traditional education system in Nepal. From early on, Gurung could be found sketching in his notebooks, a fact that was not rewarded by teachers, but in the intimacy of his home it was greatly encouraged, mainly by his stalwart mother.

While India is one of Gurung's favorite places, it was only when he arrived in New York City in 1999 that the designer finally felt home. He was honored in his first year at Parsons with the Best Designer of the Year award and opened the awards ceremony the following year with his own collection, still a student.

It is clear in the course of our conversation that family is the grounding force for Gurung and the foundation from which he has reared the strength and confidence to pursue his dreams. Poverty still dominates Nepal, literacy levels are extremely low, and gender equality and health norms are lagging, which is perhaps why Gurung and his siblings are starting an educational foundation with a focus on girls.

On Prabal's radar

His line has already been picked up by stores in Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, and South Korea. Buyers in Singapore, Gurung's birthplace, recently approached him about his upcoming collections. Singapore is a place that Gurung left when he was very young, but he still stays in touch with friends there and is planning a visit soon. But India, especially, is always on the designer's radar, particularly since he is a self-proclaimed "Bollywood buff."

"India is definitely a growing market and I definitely want my collection to be carried there, both in Delhi and Mumbai, because they are equally important. The fashion industry there is interesting, as it has its own voice, but the kind of fashion that does really well there is still traditional. What Indian designers need to do is think globally. A designer like Manish Arora or Pratap stand out in the international field and are more accepted because they're very original. It's very much Manish's voice and it's very much Pratap's voice."

Certified Obamafied

The crowning moment of Gurung's achievements so far came when First Lady Michelle Obama wore a Prabal Gurung dress on an official visit to the Smithsonian, in March of this year. While his gowns have been worn by a host of celebrities, Mrs. Obama was a highlight and her wearing his dress carried a weight and meaning that was deeply personal for Gurung. A symbol of America and its platform as a springboard to make dreams come true is evident in the story of both Michelle Obama and Prabal Gurung; her wearing the dress brought all of those layers to the fore for the designer.

Gurung communicates his gratitude frequently. When talking with him, he makes clear just how lucky he feels to be among the fashion elite, and that the only difference between him and other designers is who is wearing his clothes. His accomplishments are larger than him, he says. Only one year into the launch of his own line, we think we'll be seeing a lot more of this humble but stand-out designer.