Prabal Gurung’s Global Rise and His Return to Melbourne

At a time when Indian fashion is no longer just part of global conversations but actively shaping them, Prabal Gurung’s return to Melbourne feels especially significant. This year, as the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival (PMFF) celebrated its 30th anniversary, his presence carried a deeper meaning for Indian audiences. A South Asian-born designer who began his journey in New Delhi before building a globally recognised label in New York, Gurung’s return felt like more than a professional milestone—it read as a creative homecoming. Having once lived and worked in the city, his visit reconnected him with an early chapter of his life, while also reflecting the growing influence of the Asia-Pacific region in shaping global fashion. As he aptly put it, “Designers from India and the Asia-Pacific region bring deeply layered perspectives, and creating equitable platforms for them ultimately enriches the industry as a whole.”

Gurung’s journey also feels relatable for many young South Asian creatives. Born in Singapore, raised in Kathmandu, shaped in New Delhi, and later trained in New York, his path shows how crossing cultures can shape your voice. Speaking about this, he shared, “Moving across continents has been fundamental to who I am as a designer,” he said. “My work is shaped by a constant dialogue between cultures, the sensibility and emotional depth of South Asia, combined with the structure and pace of New York. It has allowed me to see fashion not just as clothing, but as a language of identity, migration and belonging. That duality continues to inform everything I create.”

Prabal Gurung at the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival 2026

His story also reflected a larger truth—that success today is rarely tied to one place. Instead, it is shaped by movement, experience, and the ability to navigate multiple worlds. Reflecting on his own journey, Gurung shared that his idea of home has evolved over time. “Home, for me, is no longer a single place. It’s a feeling—a sense of grounding within myself, my community, and the values I hold close,” he said. “Over time, I’ve realised that home is something you carry with you, rather than something you return to.”

Prabal Gurung’s student masterclass at PMFF 2026

This idea of home—fluid, emotional, and constantly changing—also shaped his Fall/Winter 2026 collection, Home Sweet Home? The title itself felt deeply personal. “It’s a question as much as it is a statement,” he explained. “It reflects my ongoing exploration of belonging—what it means to feel at home in the world, especially when your life spans multiple cultures.” The collection brought together nostalgia and modernity, comfort and contradiction. One look in particular, which blended traditional craftsmanship with a modern silhouette, stood out for him. It captured the essence of the collection—the idea that home is rooted in memory, yet always evolving.

Prabal Gurung during his Melbourne homecoming

Beyond identity, Gurung’s conversations at the festival also touched on the future of fashion. In an industry being reshaped by AI, digital platforms, and changing consumer values, he emphasised the importance of staying human. According to him, the next decade will demand “authenticity, adaptability and responsibility.” While technology will continue to influence how fashion is created and consumed, he believes it cannot replace the human perspective. Designers, he noted, must be more conscious about sustainability, inclusivity, and cultural integrity—while still embracing innovation.

This shift is also visible in how consumers engage with fashion today. People are no longer drawn only to how something looks; they want to understand the story behind it. “Aesthetics may draw them in, but identity and values create lasting loyalty,” Gurung explained. Even the role of the runway has changed. While it remains a powerful space for creativity and emotion, it is no longer the only platform that defines fashion. Today, storytelling extends across digital, social, and real-world experiences.

Since launching his label at New York Fashion Week in 2009, Gurung has built a career that moves seamlessly between fashion, culture, and advocacy. Over the years, his designs have been worn by global figures including Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, and Zendaya. Yet beyond celebrity, what truly defines his work is its ability to bridge cultures while staying rooted in authenticity.

In many ways, his return to Melbourne was not just about looking back, but about recognising how far both he and the industry have come.