Prabal Gurung, the Nepalese-American designer, has recently showcased his latest collection for the Fall/Winter 2023 season. The collection was inspired by a 10-day silent meditation retreat that he had taken, which reconnected him to his roots and culture. He wanted to bring a piece of his homeland, Nepal, into the collection and pay homage to his cultural heritage.
The collection features a mix of western and eastern styles of dress, showcasing the designer’s expertise in cross-cultural exchange. The use of sari draping, cropped choli tops, and vibrant colors from Nepal informed the urban and glamourous looks in the collection. High-low slipdresses, sweeping long skirts, and low-waisted trousers were paired with rounded cropped jackets and asymmetric intarsia knits.
The designer used the butterfly as a symbol of metamorphosis and incorporated it into abstract patterns on intarsia knit gowns and asymmetric sweaters. The collection also showcased a dialogue between hard and soft, masculine and feminine elements, with sash-like belts smoothing the edges of sharp tailored trousers, and delicate metallic lace slip dresses paired with swaggering duster coats.
The colors in the collection were bold and varied, with patterns that were just as diverse. The looks were heavily accessorized with jewelry, including earrings, bangles, and three-dimensional chain mail scarf necklaces. The designer also included an icy white double-breasted coat dress and an asymmetric ivory dress with a black inner lining, providing a contrast to the muchness of the collection.
Prabal Gurung has always been known for his bold and extravagant designs, but as he suggested, all is changing. This collection is a testament to the designer’s continued evolution and the importance of cultural exchange in fashion. It’s a celebration of the rich heritage of Nepal and a nod to the designer’s personal connection to his roots.
