New York Fashion Week: Prabal Gurung’s haute trek to the Himalayas
Nepalese American designer Prabal Gurung celebrated his homeland at New York Fashion Week Saturday morning, with a collection that was a strong mix of traditional and modern, sporty and sensual.
The look: Haute Himalayan hiker.
The inspiration: Early memories of Nepal, according to the show notes. Snow capped mountains, fiery skies, serene spirituality.
Gurung used innovative fabrics, including cloque jacquard evoking mountain ranges, carabineer prints with petal-like ruffles, mossy degrade and sculptural embroidery to reflect topography. He also introduced footwear with buckle and nylon strap details inspired by technical activewear.
Key pieces: Tweedy denim miniskirts with draped chiffon sashes, worn with sporty expedition vests. Jacquard racerback top and skirt in blue mountain range print. Asymmetric sweaters with open weave insets, worn with zip-detail pants. Ivory Lurex chiffon shirtdress with racerback underlay. Tuxedo with twisted lapel and sash details.
The verdict: Beautifully balanced. At times, Gurung’s collections have felt overwrought, as if he were designing for a mannequin, not a woman. But not so this season. The architectural layers and sportiness kept the collection grounded, and made for a more accessible look.
