Prabal Gurung debuts eight looks from new couture-inspired Atelier collection at Met Gala

By

Robin Driver

Published
May 12, 2018

Nepalese-American designer Prabal Gurung has announced the launch of Atelier Prabal Gurung, “a made-to-measure collection with a couture approach” available at Bergdorf Goodman and on Moda Operandi in May.

 
Eight strikingly colourful and stylistically varied gowns from the launch collection made their debut at this year’s Met Gala, worn by a diverse cast of celebrities. According to Moda Operandi, each of the eight pieces was inspired by a different aspect of the Gala's "Heavenly Bodies" theme. 
 
German-born actress Diane Kruger stepped out in a celestial blue minidress featuring ruched balloon sleeves, pearl details and a seemingly endless train, plus-size model Ashley Graham donned a shimmering oxidized gold sequined gown inspired by Joan of Arc, while Japanese model Hikari Mori wore a celadon strapless flounce-top mermaid dress that channeled the Garden of Eden.  

Gabrielle Union, Eliza Gonzalez, Deepika Padukone, Ming Xi and Hailee Steinfeld also arrived at the event in gowns from the collection, wearing lemon yellow, black and white, cardinal red, rose, and dove white creations, respectively.
 
The designer told Vogue that it was important to him, not only to represent diversity through the women modeling his looks at the Met Gala, but also “to showcase who these girls really are” through each one of their gowns. “It’s no longer just about the designs, it’s about who’s wearing it, why, and what she’s representing,” he said.
 
Commenting on the decision to launch a couture-inspired made-to-measure collection, Gurung told the magazine that he wanted to extend a more personalized service beyond private clients to a wider audience.
 
“This has been building for a while,” he explained. “We’ve always taken a couture approach to our [ready-to-wear] designs, and we make the majority of our collections in New York. I have a big private-client business, too, so we’ve been making custom, made-to-measure gowns for them.”
 
The Atelier Prabal Gurung made-to-measure collection is available at Bergdorf Goodman through May 14 and on Moda Operandi through May 29. Prices range from $11,995 to $37,995.