Prabal Gurung Quotes

Powerful Prabal Gurung for Daily Growth

About Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung, born on March 24, 1970, in Singapore to Nepalese parents, is a renowned fashion designer who has made significant strides in the global fashion industry. Raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, Gurung's passion for fashion was ignited at a young age by his mother, a seamstress and textile designer. He moved to the United States in 1989 to study anthropology at the State University of New York at Albany but soon found himself drawn towards fashion design. Gurung's breakthrough came in 2009 when he was named one of the Council of Fashion Designers of America's (CFDA) five new designers, followed by a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalist nomination that same year. His eponymous label, Prabal Gurung, has since been showcased at New York Fashion Week and gained recognition for its blend of traditional Nepalese craftsmanship with modern, contemporary aesthetics. Key influences in his work include the vibrant textiles and rich cultural heritage of his homeland, as well as the strong, independent women he admires. Gurung's designs have been worn by high-profile figures such as Michelle Obama, Emma Stone, Julianne Moore, and Taylor Swift. In 2018, he was appointed a member of the CFDA Board of Directors. Through his label, Gurung has also been actively involved in philanthropic efforts, particularly in Nepal, following the devastating 2015 earthquake. His work continues to embody his belief in empowering women and preserving cultural traditions while pushing the boundaries of modern fashion.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I'm a firm believer that fashion has no borders."

This quote by Prabal Gurung emphasizes the universal, boundary-less nature of fashion. It suggests that fashion transcends cultural, geographical, or ethnic boundaries, and is a shared human language and form of self-expression. Fashion has the power to connect people globally, fostering understanding, empathy, and mutual respect among diverse cultures. Furthermore, it implies that everyone, regardless of their background, can participate in fashion, contributing unique perspectives to its evolution.


"Fashion should be a form of self-expression."

This quote emphasizes that fashion is not just about following trends or wearing clothes, but it's a means to express one's individuality, personality, and creativity. It suggests that each person has their unique style, influenced by personal tastes, cultural background, emotions, and experiences, which they can use to express themselves through the clothes they wear. Fashion becomes a form of self-expression when it mirrors who we are or how we want to be perceived in the world.


"Design is about love, passion, and creativity."

This quote by Prabal Gurung highlights that design, particularly in fashion, is not just about creating aesthetically pleasing garments but also about infusing emotions such as love, passion, and creativity into the process. These elements are what make designs unique, expressive, and capable of telling stories. It suggests that a successful design should be a tangible manifestation of the designer's feelings and imagination, making each piece not just a clothing item but an emotional expression.


"It's important for designers to stand up for what they believe in."

This quote emphasizes that fashion designers, like any other professionals, should not shy away from expressing their convictions and values. In a world where aesthetics often intersect with societal issues, it's essential for designers to use their platform to advocate for causes they care about. This could range from promoting sustainability in the fashion industry to championing diversity and inclusion. By standing up for what they believe in, designers can not only make a statement but also inspire change.


"I want women to feel strong and empowered when wearing my designs."

This quote by Prabal Gurung underscores his intention for his fashion designs. He wants them to be more than just clothing; they are tools for self-expression, embodying a sense of strength and empowerment for the women who wear them. By donning these designs, he hopes that women will feel confident, capable, and unapologetically powerful in their own skin.


I came here because I wanted to live the American dream that I had heard of. And I'm a perfect example. I came to New York; I knew no one. I've made a career, a life, so I still believe in that.

- Prabal Gurung

Career, Perfect, Here, Perfect Example

When I came to America, there were two kinds of women: women who looked serious and who didn't wear color and print, and women who looked girly and feminine and like second wives.

- Prabal Gurung

Color, Feminine, Looked, Girly

Nothing scares a straight man more than a woman in her full glory.

- Prabal Gurung

Woman, Straight, Scares, Straight Man

I make 98% of my collection in New York City and am generating jobs, so fashion isn't just frivolous for me. I understand levity about it. I also understand the depth of it.

- Prabal Gurung

City, New, Levity, Frivolous

People on the outside and even some people in the fashion industry think that fashion people are maybe not the smartest. It's a constant battle.

- Prabal Gurung

Think, Some, Constant, Fashion Industry

My goal is: I'm not trying to be snobby, but my clothes are not for everyone, not for every Hollywood celebrity. There is a designer for everyone, and a celebrity for every designer.

- Prabal Gurung

Goal, Celebrity, Hollywood, Snobby

I have a 6-year-old niece who doesn't look like the majority of girls on the covers of magazines. I hope that by the time she's 16, the world will have changed.

- Prabal Gurung

Will, Like, By The Time, Niece

I tweet myself and do all the Facebook updates. It started off with me wondering whether I was showing off and I was very careful about what I wrote.

- Prabal Gurung

Myself, Facebook, Very, Wondering

Fashion has a huge responsibility - in what we show on the runway, what we do in editorial, who we dress - to make sure it represents differences. If we don't, we're giving in to the discrimination.

- Prabal Gurung

Dress, Sure, Editorial, Huge Responsibility

The sources of inspiration from my travels have been unending.

- Prabal Gurung

Been, Travels, Sources, Unending

I think I'm just really in love with women, and I love to see them looking incredibly, truly beautiful. I think every time a woman wears one of my dresses, you know, in a matter of speaking, I'm having a little love affair with her!

- Prabal Gurung

Love, Woman, I Think, Affair

I was definitely considered different growing up. I learned that being me was all right because my family celebrated those differences.

- Prabal Gurung

Being, Learned, Considered, Celebrated

The punk era, at its best, celebrated questioning the norm and the promotion of originality. Both concepts have always resonated with me.

- Prabal Gurung

Best, Questioning, Always, Celebrated

It saddens me to see the reality-television shows that are getting so much fanfare that are a celebration of stupidity and the degradation of women. And those women are consistently wearing too short, too tight dresses. I hope the trend of aging gracefully returns.

- Prabal Gurung

Hope, Trend, Degradation, Fanfare

There is one universal truth: All women, all over the world, want to look beautiful. That is always the theme of my designs.

- Prabal Gurung

Want, Always, Over, Designs

I grew up with a single mother who brought us up. I always look back at my career, and everything that has happened to me is because of the support of women. My mother, my sister, Michelle Obama, Kate Middleton - all these women have believed in my designs and worn them and given me a platform to increase my visibility.

- Prabal Gurung

Career, Brought, Michelle, Designs

I've always been interested in a femininity with a bite. I always think a little bit of a kick is great.

- Prabal Gurung

Think, Always, Been, Femininity

I'm constantly thinking about design, shapes, patterns and colors, so I just want to be more of a blank canvas. But there is a comfort in knowing what you're going to wear, and that probably comes from Catholic school, where I wore a uniform for 10 years.

- Prabal Gurung

Wear, Blank, About, Catholic

I came from Bill Blass, where it was a well-oiled machine and if I said I needed a fabric, it was done. Now, I have to budget everything. I have to take on the role not just as a designer but a business. But I'm a glass half-full kind of guy.

- Prabal Gurung

Role, Guy, Needed, Budget

There is undoubtedly a lot of pressure that comes with recognition, which can be a good thing and bad thing all at the same time. But if you stay focused and don't lose sight of what you're doing and who you are, you can rise above it.

- Prabal Gurung

Rise Above, Doing, Bad, Undoubtedly

I am not the kind of designer who is racing to the finish line, so while collaborations are important for our growth, each and every one has to be strategic and well-timed with what we have going on internally.

- Prabal Gurung

Racing, Going, Strategic, Collaborations

I'm fascinated by furniture design and interiors, and I want to try designing all that stuff.

- Prabal Gurung

Design, Furniture, Want, Interiors

I love draping; it's less about proportion than fit and the fabric. It's very specialized and I think when women see the construction, they respond to it immediately.

- Prabal Gurung

Love, Very, Specialized, Respond

For my first big Fashion Week event, the factory wouldn't give me my clothes because I didn't have the $25,000 it cost to make them.

- Prabal Gurung

Big, Give, Factory, Give Me

I went home and went to Mustang, in the mountains between Nepal and China, and was so inspired by the landscape and the rich culture and heritage. I loved the textures, the draping, the palette. Everything was so beautiful. This little kingdom wasn't open to the world until 1991.

- Prabal Gurung

Mountains, World, Textures, Palette

Fashion has always had the ability to affect lives, to touch people. But for the longest period of time, we've said, 'Oh, we're just pages of a magazine; that's what we all look at.' It's more than that.

- Prabal Gurung

Affect, Longest, Had, Magazine

I know what it's like to turn the page of a magazine and not see anyone like you. It takes a lot, a lot, a lot of talking to yourself to confirm your self-worth.

- Prabal Gurung

Turn, Talking, Like, Magazine

I was in Nepal and I had watched Oprah Winfrey's show. I had no idea, as a kid in Nepal, who she was, but I remember watching an episode of hers about living your dreams.

- Prabal Gurung

Living, I Remember, Idea, Hers

I mean, I can cook, but I'd get very nervous having my food being judged by dinner guests.

- Prabal Gurung

Being Judged, Very, Having, Dinner

To me, beauty is inclusion - every size, every color - that's the world I live in.

- Prabal Gurung

Beauty, World, Inclusion, Size

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