The fashion industry is a mixture of both traditions and change, couture and fast fashion, styles and trends. Through this blend of old and new, we find young designer, Prabal Gurung, who has taken the fashion scene by storm. As a young fashion brand, he is definitely not a novice at design or business. Gurung’s dedication to his work has definitely skyrocketed him to success quickly, but he’d be the first to tell you that it’s only the beginning. His skill and flair for knowing how to work with fabrics to create designs that strike the perfect balance of real-wear and fantasy-couture have even put him in the thoughts of people’s minds to replace Galliano at Dior, even if they are just rumors. Everybody Is Ugly presents the first designer of the week, Prabal Gurung.
_________________________________________________________________
THE BEGINNINGS
Gurung’s success as a fashion designer can be attributed to his experience and knowledge of both himself and the industry. More specifically, in the way that he could fit into the industry. Gurung understood that hard work and harnessing the best skills in his craft were the best stepping stones to his commercial success.
As a graduate from Parsons, Prabal Gurung went into designing for other houses before working on his own label. His experience includes work for design houses such as Donna Karan, Cynthia Rowley, and Bill Blass. He worked for five years at Bill Blass, understanding all of the workings of the fashion industry, gaining contacts, and sharpening his skills. After the closing of the Bill Blass house, Prabal started his own line and started buzz among editors and fashion insiders about his fashion presentation during NYFW.
Cover photo credit
THE LOOK
Prabal Gurung’s designs are always super flattering and are very much true to the young New York designer’s mixture of elegance, youth, and adventurous style. More opulent than Philip Lim and more minimal than Jason Wu, Gurung’s style falls in the middle. An attentive eye for detail and a penchant for curving geometric lines, his designs are always friendly to the body and his love for catering to the woman wearing his clothes shows in all his seams, shapes, and silhouettes.
→ Spring 2011 & Fall 2011 photos from Style.com, click to view more runway shows.
FIRST LADY IN A RED DRESS
First Lady, Michelle Obama, has worn Prabal Gurung three times which has brought the designer much deserved attention and acclaim. His figure-flattering dresses are modest but not stuffy or boring, perfect for one of the most watched women in America.
In the visual, Michelle Obama is seen wearing a red off-the-shoulder dress in matte jersey by Prabal Gurung for the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. She’s also worn a chartreuse gown at the 2011 Governers’ Dinner and a gray floral shift at the Smithsonian ceremony for her Jason Wu Inauguration Gown.
→ Michelle Obama courtesy Getty Images from The Telegraph
FASHION FUND & J.CREW
Prabal Gurung won runner-up for the 2010 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund which provided him with the opportunity to work with J.Crew to create a limited edition line to be sold at the chic retailer. His inspirations stemmed from the bright colors of markets in his home-country, Nepal, to the bold crayola colored birthday cards given to him from children Shikshya Foundation he and his siblings established.
The collection is in the vein of J.Crew workwear basics with fun and quirky twists that keep the entire look very feminine and light. Gurung uses light fabrics that aren’t too precious feeling and gives them a kick with girly bows and fresh colors of white, emeralds, cyans, and fuchsia. Ribbon-inspired textures and light textiles are perfect for the Spring season and trends.
→ View & shop the J.Crew looks here!
→ For more information about Prabal Gurung, visit his website here: prabalgurung.com
_________________________________________________________________
Thanks for reading! Look out next week for Chic of the Week: FASHION INSIDER!
Everybody Is Ugly by Iris & Daniel
Don’t forget to follow EIU on twitter! @everybodyisugly
