Photography: IMAXTREE
The fashion week show of Prabal Gurung in New York City very much stood out this year because of the theme he had chosen. Quotes as “nevertheless, she persisted” and “revolution has no borders” were printed on the clothes and the models were definitely wearing them with pride!
Prabal Gurung dedicated his spring collection to his mother and her personal fight against male chauvinism. He reinforced the feminism attitude by citing “My Life on the Road”, referencing to the book of Gloria Steinem, one of the minds behind the push for female equality.
Photography: IMaxTree
But how did Prabal translate this into the clothes? Instead of empowering women by dressing them like men, he portrayed an varied and extreme femininity. “The notion of modern feminism is reflected in a loosening of silhouettes juxtaposed with refined tailoring, creating a fluid offering that gives her the power of choice,” he wrote in his production notes. The clothes were very beautiful and special because of the many details. Gurung even downscaled the show to a venue that seats 400, rather than the usual 800, so people could see the details of the clothes better.
Photography: IMaxTree
For the finale of his show last Sunday, Prabal Gurung sent his models out in T-shirts stamped with political slogans: “Revolution has no borders”, “I am an immigrant”, “Nevertheless, she persisted.” The parade ended with the designer in a tee of his own: “This is what a feminist looks like,” it read. Earlier Gurung said he’s gotten blowback on his Instagram when he’s been political. Nevertheless, he persists, committed to using his platform to spread messages he believes in.
Photography: IMaxTree
It didn’t stop with the T-shirts. Gurung booked models with different sizes for his show. Not only models with a size 4 or smaller. He addressed the situation by booking Marquita Pring and Candice Huffine. They wore long-sleeved mini-length frocks very much like the dresses worn by the size zeroes, cinched with rope belts. A great initiative of Gurung.
Photography: IMaxTree
Prabal made his show definitely unique with his feminism theme and sent a clear message to the world. I’m already curious for next seasons show!
