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Award-winning fashion designer Prabal Gurung, came to New York to the New Design High School on 350 Grand Street on May 13th, for his first book launch with the release of his first book “Walk Like A Girl: A Memoir” with host Yu & Me Books and moderator Editor-in-Chief of Lucky Magazine and Columnist for Vogue China, Eva Chen.

Driven fashion students came to the book launch to learn of Gurung’s journey to becoming the most successful designer dressing elite clientele which includes Former First Lady Michelle Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris, Media Mogul Oprah Winfrey, Emmy-winning actress Sarah Jessica Parker, Oscar-Winner Anne Hathaway, Golden-Globe Winner Demi Moore and Latin-Pop Star Shakira.

 

Before taking center stage at the book launch, Gurung visited fashion students at the Sustainable Fashion Program at the Design High School., the first and only high school in New York with a sustainable design fashion course. He took a step inside the classroom and spoke to students one-on-one about the fashion industry and finding inspiration for his work.

 

“Firstly, it was so considerate of him to squeeze time in to meet our students before his book signing. “said Julie Zenobi, educator and founder of the Sustainable Fashion Program at the New Design School. “The students connected fast with him because he is down to earth and real. His story and path are relatable to our young creatives. said Zenobi.”

 

“What I loved most was that even though he was reviewing his time with us, he refused to leave until he spoke to every student about their work! He was very kind and inspiring.” she said

 

Students will take Gurung’s wisdom to the runway with the upcoming student fashion show on June 12th. The show will highlight fashion created by young designers focusing on sustainability, environment, and social issues.

 

At 7 PM, Gurung took the stage in the auditorium and started the discussion of his first book with his journey from his difficult childhood in Nepal to coming to New York City and attending Parsons School of Design and interning for Donna Karen.

“This book opened up a lot of wounds I thought had healed,” said Gurung. He first discussed his childhood in Nepal in a single-parent home. Growing up, Gurung was the youngest of three children.  He discussed his relationship with his mother and other siblings and the obstacles he faced in his childhood.

 

He was bullied for acting too feminine and being soft-spoken in school being teased that he walked like a girl. He was beaten and abused and called a “sissy” and a “pansy” He used this as the title of the book to send the inspiring message to be your true self and use the saying as a form of resilience.

 

“The title Walk Like A Girl is to walk in this world with courage, defiance, softness and vulnerability,” he said. “You’re more than enough and your existence matters”

 

The cover was shot by his nephew Arhant Gurung, who is a photographer.  Initially, he didn’t want his photo on the cover, but after a conversation with his sister asking “How often do you see someone who looks like you on the cover of a book?” The position he is posing on the cover of the book is a nod to Rosie the Riveter.

 

On the dedication page of the book, Gurung mentions his nephew saying “To my nephew Arhant, thank you for reinforcing the power of femininity in me, by being unapologetically you.

You made me even less afraid to be me.” he said.

 

A member of the audience, who is graduating from NYU at the end of May, asked Gurung during the Q&A what he looks for when hiring new candidates for jobs. “Be excited to be at work!” said Gurung. “They have to be passionate and show up on time and be true to themselves,” he said. Other advice he gave students was, “Don’t worry about fitting in and know where you coming from” he said.

 

The Q&A continued with Chen with the next question asking who would he love to dress for the next Met Gala. “Rihanna is always on top of my list, for sure, but the first female president of the United States would be the one,” he said.

 

He recalled his breakthrough as a fashion designer when he dressed First Lady Michelle Obama in 2010 at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner. He quit his job as design director at Bill Blass, downsized his apartment, and started collecting unemployment.

 

The morning after Gurung’s first presentation in February 2009, he designed a custom striking red dress for Michelle at this dinner and continued wearing Gurung’s designs on many TV appearances.

 

He also discusses his trips back home to Nepal and what his favorite things to do when he goes home. “I love to snuggle up with my mother with a cup of chai tea,” he said. “I can talk to her for hours, and she is an incredible woman and my blueprint for strength. Watching her carry the weight of the world on her shoulder was a lesson of resilience and the way she raised my siblings and me was a show of strength”. he said. “I not only love her, but I like her. She is my North Star.”

 

When ending the Q&A, Chen asked what does he want readers to take away from reading this bittersweet book. Gurung took a moment, and reflected on his journey in writing the book saying, “I wrote this book and hope you find some part of you in this book, and be able to that you will be able to share in others and, more than that, it frees you to live your authentic self.”  he said.

 

Photo Credit:Julie Zenobi, educator and founder of the Sustainable Fashion Program at the New Design School (IG: @ zenobij)