Rebirth and Renewal
Review of Prabal Gurung Spring 2025 Fashion Show
By Mark Wittmer
THE COLLECTION
THE VIBE
Color. Optimism. Motion. Rebirth.
Spring 2025 sees Prabal Gurung respond to challenging times by returning to tradition and color and discovering an message of optimism and rebirth.
The collection’s conceptual creation began as Gurung returned to his family’s home of Nepal, with the visit coinciding with the festival of Holi. Upon returning the U.S. amid a dire political news cycle, he found himself once again questioning the reality of the American dream – until news of the very real possibility of our first woman president soon emerged.
The collection draws on Gurung’s practices of pleating, thoughtful fabric selection, and west-meets-east aesthetics to embody this celebratory spirit of hope and feminine creativity. That sense of optimism and colorful discovery extended into the staging as well, which featured an orchestral band led by composer Chloe Flower, a surprise all-white coda, and a setting at the historic 1 Centre Street – an emblem of the city’s spirit that Gurung often biked past, wondering if he could ever stage a show there. Now, that dream has come true.
THE DIRECTION
THE QUOTE
The celebration of Holi – there’s a youthful abandonment; there’s ease, fun, reverie, and hope. It had been a long time since I felt like that – but the minute there was an announcement of Kamala Harris, there was a resurgence of hope. I had started the collection long before that, but that moment brought it together with this explosion of optimism and feminine creativity.”
THE WRAP UP
Balancing festive traditions with an optimistic awareness of our country’s present electoral moment, Prabal Gurung leans into his practice of feminine flow, color, and global perspective to tell a story of personal and community renewal.
