New York Fashion Week: ‘Who Gets To Be American?’ asks Nepalese-American designer Prabal Gurung
Flower crowns and on-message sashes take centre stage at spring 2020 show celebrating diversity in size and ethnicity with plus-sized models, non-binary walkers and those of all colours
With flower crowns and beauty pageant sashes with his message, Prabal Gurung asked a fundamental question of the day: who gets to be an American?
I wanted to explore this idea of what America looks like, what Americana looks like, who does America belong to? For me, as an immigrant who came here almost 20 years ago … to chase the American dream of hope, of possibility
Adorning his runway on Sunday at New York Fashion Week with hanging bouquets mixed with flags from around the world, the designer celebrated diversity in size and ethnicity with his collection, using plus-size models, non-binary walkers and those of all colours.
He celebrated some standards of American fashion as well – cowboy boots included – juxtaposing denim, sportswear influences and grand colourful gowns for evening.
Gurung, a Nepalese-American, produces between 80 per cent and 90 per cent of his clothes in his home base of New York.
“I wanted to explore this idea of what America looks like, what Americana looks like, who does America belong to?” he said.
There’s the pragmatism of T-shirts and jeans and there’s the fantasy and beautiful glamour of the evening wear. I wanted to marry those two and really question, who does this country belong to?
“For me, as an immigrant who came here almost 20 years ago, I came here to chase the American dream of hope, of possibility. I’ve been able to contribute to the American economy.”
