Prabal Gurung: The surprising story of a fashion superstar
Fashion designer Prabal Gurung went from a bullied boy in a Nepalese boarding school to dressing some of the world's most famous women.
At 2025's Met Gala, Shakira stepped out in a powder-pink strapless gown. Occasionally she posed for photos with a man who looked even more like a popstar than her. His name is Prabal Gurung and his design is what Shakira chose to wear to the prestigious fashion event. But, the Met Gala is a long way from Prabal's origins. He grew up in Nepal coveting his sister's ruffled dresses, his mother's rouge lipstick and sketching images of glamorous women in the margins of his notebooks.
Prabal's youth was tumultuous. He witnessed his father physically abusing his mother and, when he was sent to a boarding school, was a victim of bullying and a predatory teacher. But Prabal eventually came to the US and realized his American dream. After studying at the Parsons School of Design, he went on to dress some iconic women including Oprah Winfrey, Kate Middleton and Kamala Harris.
Presenter: Asya Fouks
Producer: Saskia Collette and June Christie
Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707
(Photo: Prabal Gurung with Shakira at the 2025 Met Gala. Credit: Getty Images)
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