Prabal Gurung’s Fashion and Philanthropy – Barron’s

Looking relaxed in a sky-blue suit and yellow T-shirt, he addressed the crowd in Nepali and English, speaking candidly of power, patriarchy, and passion for one’s work. It was like watching a TED Talk under the Himalayan night sky.

Gurung, 40, born in Singapore and raised by a single mother in Nepal, is now a U.S. citizen based in New York, where he runs his luxury womenswear brand (and manufactures most of the clothing). Outspoken and political, he has garnered attention in recent seasons for his diverse lineup of models (proving a commitment to inclusivity in an industry that, for all its talk on the subject, too often falls short), and his graphic tees emblazoned with phrases like “This is what a feminist looks like,” which he has worn himself.

In 2011, he helped found the Shikshya Foundation Nepal, funding education programs for underserved children and female prisoners in his home country.

“Shikshya” means lesson, or learning, and Gurung has been looking back at what he has learned. This year marks his namesake brand’s 10th anniversary, and he shared with Penta his thoughts on the past, busy decade.

Somehow, you turned the year 2009 on its head. It was a tough year for most businesses, but not yours.

It was an absolute turning point. It was the recession, and despite being advised by so many to not start my line, I took a leap with my heart. [I left] Bill Blass, where I was design director…and went out on my own. For me, the recession was my foolproof excuse if launching my business didn’t work out.

Clever. But it did work out.

My friends and family all came together to support our first presentation—helping with casting, modeling, styling, hair, and makeup. Within that first year, I had the honor of dressing so many inspiring women: Oprah—who was the reason I first came to America [Gurung decided to come to the U.S. after seeing an Oprah episode about following your dreams, though he had no idea who she was at the time]—Demi Moore, Zoe Saldana, Rachel Weisz, Carey Mulligan, and, of course, former First Lady Michelle Obama.

What surprised you about growing a brand?

What you don’t realize when you’re young is that having a collection is a business. I’m as much involved with our finances, marketing, production, and sales as I am in the actual design process. I always encourage students to really think about why they want to get into this business. What’s their motive? If it’s for the glamour and lifestyle, that quickly fades. It’s a 24/7 job. You really have to love it more than anything else.

So what gets pushed to the periphery? What do you wish you could make more time for?

So many things. I’d love a vacation—time to disconnect, with nothing more than nature and a good book. I don’t think I’ve had a vacation since I started my brand. I get back home to Nepal about once a year to spend time with my family, and to see the children we work with [in my foundation]. I wish I could get back more often.

There are many tough issues a philanthropist can tackle—why education, for you?

The goal is to nurture our children to be curious, thoughtful, critical—to be our next generation of leaders. For me, education is at the core of our ability to drive change.

What’s it like to meet those kids?

There’s nothing more inspiring. These children bring me so much hope and humility. Their energy is uncanny. We started with 15 children and have now provided full education to over 300. I’ve seen some of them grow up over the past eight years. Some are now in college. That is such a win, and I cannot wait to see their impact as they continue to grow.

In a talk you gave in Kathmandu last year, you said having dreams, passion, and self-confidence are helpful, but grit is a quality people don’t talk about enough. Why is grit so important?

Passion is what inspires and drives you, but grit is your ability to get your hands dirty and really follow through. Grit is what can turn a dream into a reality. It’s about the work, the unglamorous side, and understanding that everyone is equal. No job is too big or too small for anyone.

Same could be said for mountains. I hear you enjoy trekking in Nepal.

I do! Trekking is a way for me to connect with the environment, to realize the magnitude and impermanence of our world and our place in it. I’m a firm believer in the idea of impermanence. I choose to live each day in the moment as much as I can, and make choices that can create an impact. I want to do my part to leave our world a little better, more equitable, and more colorful than when I came into it.