Day 23. Prabal Gurung Fashion as Activism.
Today, we honor Prabal Gurung, a Nepalese American fashion designer whose bold, elegant creations are as much about activism as they are about art. Known for dressing celebrities like Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and Priyanka Chopra, Gurung uses his platform to challenge narrow beauty standards, amplify immigrant narratives, and advocate for justice in the fashion industry and beyond.
✨ From Nepal to New York
Born in Singapore and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, Prabal Gurung moved to New York to study at the Parsons School of Design. After stints with top designers like Bill Blass, he launched his own label in 2009 — quickly rising to prominence for his striking, inclusive, and socially conscious designs.
His collections are known for celebrating strong, diverse women and often include powerful messaging. From body-positive casting to runway shows centering activism, Gurung uses fashion as a means to reflect, resist, and reimagine culture.
“I want to redefine what American beauty looks like.” — Prabal Gurung
🎨 Fashion as a Platform for Change
Gurung’s designs have long fused beauty with meaning. In 2017, his runway show featured models in T-shirts printed with slogans like “The Future is Female,” “This Is What a Feminist Looks Like,” and “Stronger in Colour” — sending an unapologetic message of inclusion and empowerment.
A vocal advocate for immigrant rights, LGBTQ+ equality, and racial justice, Gurung often speaks about his own experiences as a queer immigrant of color navigating the predominantly white fashion industry.
In 2019, his Met Gala gown for Deepika Padukone and his inclusive casting at New York Fashion Week made headlines — not just for beauty, but for making a statement about who belongs in the spotlight.
👗Explore Parabal Gurung’s Met Gala debut of his bespoke Atlier line in Vogue
📖 Read: Prabal Gurung’s “Who Gets To Be American?”
🎥 Watch: Making the Cut
🌀 Follow @prabalgurung
🌐 Prabal Gurung’s Official Website
🌏 Why It Matters
Prabal Gurung shows us that fashion isn’t frivolous — it’s political, it’s personal, and it’s powerful. By centering immigrant stories, diverse identities, and radical inclusivity, Gurung reshapes an industry long dominated by exclusion.
He reminds us that what we wear and who we uplift matters, and that beauty shines brightest when it reflects the rich, complex world we live in.
📲 Share the Message
Celebrate Prabal Gurung by exploring his work, learning about immigrant and BIPOC designers, and advocating for representation in all industries.
Hashtags: #31DaysOfAPIHeritage #PrabalGurung #FashionAsActivism #NepaleseAmericanVoices #RepresentationMatters #AAPIHeritageMonth #DiversityInFashion #StrongerInColour #ImmigrantStories #QueerAPI
Asian and Pacific Islander heritage is not monolithic. It stretches across dozens of nations, languages, histories, and spiritual traditions. In honoring these figures, we also honor the beautiful plurality of cultures, family traditions, and lived experiences that make up API communities in America.
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