New York: Nepalese fashion designer to the A-list Prabal Gurung on Saturday unveiled a Himalayan-themed 2015 spring/summer collection in New York paired with an inaugural shoe collection inspired by women artists.
Spectators who sweltered in the hot, cavernous Moynihan Station, were transported by a fast-paced, intense collection billed as "the juxtaposition of traditional Nepalese dressing and androgynous American sportswear."
It was the designer`s second consecutive runway show inspired by a trek to Mustang, a plateau on the Chinese border where his mother`s ancestors come from, and comes with him just weeks away from launching a new make-up brand.
He chose white, turquoise, lilac, amethyst, navy and sunset coral as the colors of his collection, meant to embody the skies over Nepal from dusk to dawn.
Micro-shorts, skirts, asymmetrical dresses and organza blouses showcased Gurung`s signature ruffles, hand embroidery, layers and different textures -- skirts draped with chiffon and dresses spliced with graphic details.
Day dresses had three-dimensional rhododendron and carabineer prints.
There was ample use to flocked satin, raw bleached denim, organza made into wrap blouses and then cloque jacquard, which looked a bit like subtle quilting and which Gurung said was a nod to the mountains.
Outfits incapsulated a fresh, dreamy exoticism trimmed with leather, ostrich features, ruffles and backs were cut out under and around the shoulders.
For evening, Gurung created billowing, two-tone chiffon skirts with a stripe of color down the back and bodices encrusted Swarvoski crystals, finished with over-sized waistcoats to provide a modern flourish.
The designer`s first shoe line complimented the clothes, each named after 20th century artists: Britain`s Tracy Emin, Zaha Hadid and Cecily Brown; Americans Georgia O`Keeffe and Cindy Sherman, and Mexican painter Frida Kahlo.
Stilletos had textural and color-blocked details with graphic straps and rhodium-plated hardware buckles and technical nylon belts.
The award-winning creator is a favorite of style queen Anna Wintour, the English editor-in-chief of Vogue and attended her son`s recent society wedding.
He grew up in Kathmandu and formed his eponymous label in 2009 after studying in India and New York.
Gurung has dressed some of the world`s most desirable women including Michelle Obama and the Duchess of Cambridge. "Mad Men" star January Jones wore Prabal Gurung to this year`s Emmys.