The MET Gala is one of the most highly anticipated events in the fashion calendar, with its annual themes inspiring designers from all around the world to showcase their creativity and imagination. In 2023, one designer who is sure to make a splash at the MET Gala is Prabal Gurung, the Nepalese-American fashion designer who has dressed some of the biggest names in Hollywood and beyond.
Gurung’s rise to fashion fame began in 2009 when he launched his eponymous fashion label in New York City. Since then, he has become renowned for his bold, feminine designs that fuse his Nepalese heritage with his Western upbringing. His designs have been worn by everyone from Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama to Lady Gaga and Emma Watson.
Gurung’s ability to blend his cultural heritage with modern fashion trends has made him a favourite among the Bollywood set as well. He has dressed numerous Bollywood stars, including Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, and Alia Bhatt. In fact, it was Gurung who designed Bhatt’s stunning red gown for the 2019 MET Gala, which was themed “Camp: Notes on Fashion.”
The gown featured a strapless bodice with a dramatic train that fanned out behind Bhatt as she walked the red carpet. The gown was made from a custom-made fabric that featured hand-embroidered crystals, sequins, and beads, making it a true work of art.
But Bhatt isn’t the only Bollywood star who has turned to Gurung for their red carpet needs. In 2021, Isha Ambani, daughter of Indian business magnate Mukesh Ambani, also turned to Gurung for her MET Gala gown. Ambani’s gown was inspired by the theme “In America: A Lexicon of Fashion” and featured a strapless bodice with a voluminous, tiered skirt in a bright shade of red.
Gurung’s ability to create designs that are both beautiful and meaningful has made him a favourite among the fashion elite. In 2017, he made headlines when he sent models down the runway in T-shirts emblazoned with slogans such as “The Future is Female” and “We Will Not Be Silenced.” The move was seen as a statement of resistance against the Trump administration’s policies and a call to action for women’s rights.
In addition to his fashion design work, Gurung is also a philanthropist who works to support causes close to his heart. He founded the Shikshya Foundation Nepal, which works to provide education and opportunities for underprivileged children in Nepal. He also serves on the board of directors of the Council of Fashion Designers of America, where he works to promote diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry.
As we look forward to the 2023 MET Gala, there’s no doubt that all eyes will be on Prabal Gurung and the stunning designs he will no doubt create. With his unique blend of cultural heritage, social consciousness, and impeccable style, Gurung is sure to continue to be a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world for years to come
