Prabal Gurung

Gurung is a co-founder of the House of Slay. His memoir, Walk Like a Girl, was released in May 2025.

• Name — Prabal Gurung • Native Name — प्रवल गुरुङ • Birthplace — Singapore • Born — 1974 • Education — National Institute of Fashion Technology Parsons School of Design • Label Name — Prabal Gurung • Website — http: www.prabalgurung.com/

Gurung was born in 1974, in Singapore to Nepali parents and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal. His mother, Durga Rana, was a former boutique owner. His older brother, Pravesh Rana Gurung, is an Indian film director, and his older sister, Kumudini Shrestha, is a teacher and social worker. He went to a Jesuit school, St. Xavier's School in Jawalakhel. 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. He had always been interested in clothing and colors and was introduced to the world of fashion when he moved to New Delhi. There, he attended the National Institute of Fashion Technology. In India, Gurung apprenticed for local fashion houses and started designing with Manish Arora. He has stated, "From the brilliance of Bollywood to the fabrics, embroideries, and textures you can find at Chandni Chowk to the fast-paced streets of Mumbai, it's an incredible place." For seven years, Gurung traveled to Australia and England, assisting stylists and editors with fashion shows and photo shoots. He then returned to Nepal. In 1999, Gurung moved to New York City, where he completed his studies at the Parsons School of Design.

While studying at Parsons School of Design, Gurung had an internship with Donna Karan. He then spent two years on the design and production team at Cynthia Rowley. In 2004, he was appointed design director at Bill Blass, where he remained for five years.

In February 2009, launched his own label, PRABAL GURUNG, during New York Fashion Week. His eponymous label has become known for its gowns and dresses. His many fans include former First Lady Michelle Obama; former Vice President Kamala Harris; Catherine, Princess of Wales; multihyphenate Oprah Winfrey; and actresses Sarah Jessica Parker, Anne Hathaway, and Demi Moore. His collections are known for taking inspiration from a diverse range of cultural influences from season to season. These have included his favorite designer, Yves Saint Laurent; erotic photographs by Nobuyoshi Araki; and the character Miss Havisham from Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. In 2011, Gurung was appointed chief designer for the relaunch of Onward Kashiyama's ICB collections in Europe. Also in 2011, Gurung was commissioned by Sephora to create new uniforms for all its beauty advisers in North America, making it the first change to the retailer's employee wear since 2001. He later worked on collections with Lane Bryant (2017), Target (2013), and MAC Cosmetics (2014). • Illustration — Gurung speaking at a programme in Patan Durbar Square (25 October 2018)

Gurung lives in an apartment near Washington Square Park.

Prabal Gurung is recorded with the occupation fashion designer. Recorded as a citizen of India.