‘Through this collection, I present to you a joyous peek into our globetrotting suitcase that is the PRABAL GURUNG world – a multifaceted, colourful and optimistic place where integrity, purpose, levity and love are our most celebrated virtues’. PRABAL GURUNG
The Nepalese-American designer, presented his inclusive AW19 show at New York fashion Week choosing to use a variety of different body sizes and ethnicities, featuring some famous faces on the runway such as Victoria’s Secret models Bella Hadid, Candice Swanepoel, Taylor Hill, Winnie Harlow, Duckie Thot, Grace Elizabeth and Plus-size model Ashley Graham. “All of us are more similar than we are different.”The designer said backstage.
For the AW19 collection Gurung found inspiration in his birthplace in Singapore and his home in Kathmandu, where he recently returned to for ‘Photo Kathmandu’ an exhibition supported by his foundation.
The trip brought him back to Jhochhen Street, also known as ‘freak street’ the birthplace of the hippie movement.The collection takes us back to the 1970’s to trek on a path once known as the Hippie trail. The voyage goes through various cities such as Delhi, Beirut, Rome, London and Paris.
‘It’s a cultural exchange of ideas and experiences as we search for a home that sees us, hears us, understands us and embraces us with freedom and empathy’ says the designer in the show notes.
The different cultures bring to life the collection with colour and texture, revering ancient art and history with a fascination for the far east. Colours are eye-catching and comes in bold combinations: ruby red lives with saffron yellow, pomegranate pink with turquoise, or they were styled in the same outfit, layered together in a beautiful colour clash.
The glamour of the 1970’s Paris is met by brocade patchwork woven in Varanasi, India and hand- painted in metallic Ombre, reminiscing the work of legends such as Yves saint Laurent and Christian Lacroix, exemplified through chiffons and layered organzas. Modern American sportswear is juxtaposed against traditional Savile row techniques; utilitarian cargos are complimented with artisanal cashmeres hand knitted in Nepal, while flannel pinstripe lives alongside fleur-de-lis print.
‘With new visual cues we redefine how one is seen and where one belongs. We take an unabashedly hyper-feminine approach to celebrate diversity, joy and all of the humanity’ PRABAL GURUNG
Ashley Graham in a Turquoise nylon puffer, saffron and turquoise tie dye cashmere knit turtleneck, turquoise silk skirt with silk chiffon. PRABAL GURUNG AW19 NEW YORK FASHION
Bella Hadid in a ink velvet V-neck gown with drop waist and two tone head draped shoulder duffle. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Candice Swanepoel in a porcelain silk cady asymmetric column gown with hand draped sari cascade and spotted ostrich feather hem. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Duckie Thot in a pomegranate nylon down filled puffer and Patchwork hand loomed in Varanasi strapless molded seam dress. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Grace Elizabeth in an ink and pomegranate multi tulle halter blouse and high waisted pleat front trousers with hand painted metallic ombre palace garden motif. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Taylor Hill in a turquoise and sea reversible wool and nylon cropped jacket with exaggerated portrait neckline. Tie dye cashmere knit turtleneck, Saffron silk cashmere bias cut dress with cascade ruffle hem. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Winnie Harlow in an ink and porcelain oversized shirt tuxedo shirt with baroque Chantilly lace insert and velvet ribbon detail and wool tubino skirt. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Saffron and turquoise reversible wool and quilted nylon duvet coat with exaggerated portrait neckline. Pomegranate cashmere knit turtle neck. Ruby silk cady and bias cut skirt with silk chiffon insert and cascade ruffle hem. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Ink multi fleur-de-lis printed matelassé oversized bomber and trousers with felted wool combo and hood. Ink fleur-de-lis printed silk twill scarf. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Black multi hand knit wool and silk jacquard crew neck sweater with fringe detail. Ink printed baroque silk taffeta oversized tunic shirt with black cotton contrast detail, ink felted and cashmere combo drawstring trousers with bouclé boiled wool detail. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Ink multi hand embroidered abstract intarsia ostrich feather dress with exposed back detail. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Saffron and pomegranate multi printed silk patchwork oversized tunic shirt. Saffron and pomegranate multi printed silk patchwork wide leg trousers with self belt. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Saffron multi hand embroidered intarsia ikat ostrich feather jacket. Saffron multi printed ikat silk cady and chiffon dress with baroque Chantilly lace insert and pintucked flutter sleeve. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Ruby worsted flannel jacket with single breasted peak lapel. Saffron wool and silk fine gage turtleneck sweater. Ruby worsted flannel wide leg trousers. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Ruby silk gazar dress with hand draped cascade ruffle and marigold silk gazar sash. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Ink silk cady blouse with baroque Chantilly lace insert and ruffled open back detail. Ink and porcelain houndstooth wool high waisted pleat front trousers. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Ink hammered silk cashmere and baroque Chantilly lace patchwork dress with roleau button cut-out detail. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Porcelain cotton poplin oversized tuxedo shirt with hand embroidered baroque vest. Charcoal wool flannel pinstripe high waisted pleat front trousers. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Charcoal wool flannel pinstripe hand tailored jacket with notch collar and belt detail. Pomegranate and gold fleur-de-lis hand loomed Varanasi brocade cargo trousers. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Midnight and gold multi hand loomed Varanasi brocade oversized tuxedo shirt with pintucked detail. Pomegranate and gold skirt with side slit. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Gold floral Lurex exaggerated T-shirt and pencil skirt with terra cotta hand embroidered baroque floral and feather motif. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
Turquoise silk cady blouse with hand embroidered gold, silver and pearl jewellery. Crepe high waisted pleat front trousers. PRABAL GURUNG FW19 NEW YORK FASHION WEEK
