Story by Editor-at-Large Europe CAROLINA OGLIARO
PRABAL GURUNG FALL/WINTER 2025-2026: WHERE HERITAGE MEETS FUTURE IN A VISIONARY MASTERPIECE
In the heart of New York City, as the fashion world held its breath, Prabal Gurung orchestrated a moment, one that didn’t just showcase clothes but narrated a story. A love letter to heritage, identity, and reinvention, the Fall/Winter 2025-2026 collection unfolded like poetry on fabric, leaving an indelible mark on New York Fashion Week.
A HOMAGE TO HERITAGE WITH A MODERN TWIST
For Gurung, fashion is never just about aesthetics, it’s a statement, a movement. This season, he wove his Nepalese roots into the very fabric of his designs, seamlessly blending traditional motifs with a contemporary, cosmopolitan edge. Imagine structured coats with the fluidity of sari draping, bold tailoring softened by intricate embroidery, and eveningwear that shimmered like the Himalayan skyline at dusk.
Every look was an exploration of contrasts, tradition and modernity, strength and softness, rebellion and elegance. It’s this tension that made the collection feel alive, pulsating with a sense of now while paying homage to the past.
THE RUNWAY: A SYMPHONY OF TEXTURE AND COLOR
The runway itself was a spectacle, a moody yet electric atmosphere that set the stage for Gurung’s artistry. Leather met silk, structured corsetry juxtaposed against free-flowing silhouettes, and rich jewel tones played alongside earthy neutrals.
The outerwear was particularly striking, sculptural coats with oversized lapels, floor-sweeping trenches in butter-soft suede, and cropped jackets that exuded an effortless, downtown cool. Meanwhile, evening wear embraced movement and drama, with sheer overlays, delicate floral appliqués, and cascading fringe that danced with each step.
And then there were the details, the kind that don’t just complete a look but define it. Hand-stitched embellishments, unexpected cutouts, asymmetric hemlines, and embroidery that felt like an intimate whisper rather than a shout. It was luxury without pretense, artistry without excess.
A CASTING THAT REFLECTS THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
Diversity has always been at the heart of Gurung’s vision, and this season was no exception. The casting was a celebration of beauty in all its forms, different ethnicities, body types, ages, and backgrounds. Because real luxury isn’t just about exclusivity, it’s about inclusivity.
As the models took their final walk, the audience knew they weren’t just watching a fashion show, they were witnessing a movement. The final tableau, with all 42 models standing on the grand staircase, was a statement of unity, strength, and evolution.
THE GURUNG EFFECT: MORE THAN JUST CLOTHES
Prabal Gurung has never been just a designer. He’s a storyteller, an activist, and a visionary. With this collection, he reminds us that fashion isn’t just about dressing the body, it’s about dressing the soul.
His Fall/Winter 2025-2026 collection is a manifesto to the power of heritage, the beauty of transformation, and the unshakable belief that fashion, at its best, is a bridge between where we come from and where we are going.
And if this collection is any indication, the future looks breathtaking.
