Prabal Gurung launched his eponymous collection in February 2009 with a philosophy encompassing modern luxury, indelible style and an astute sense of glamour.Gurung was born in Singapore and raised in Kathmandu, Nepal. After beginning his design career in New Delhi he moved to New York to finish his studies at Parsons The New School for Design. Upon graduating, Gurung spent two years with Cynthia Rowley’s design and production teams. Soon after, he was appointed design director at the iconic Bill Blass, a post he held for five years until launching his own collection, PRABAL GURUNG.
A focus on quality and innovation has placed Gurung at the forefront of American fashion with designs worn by leading ladies including First Lady Michelle Obama and The Duchess of Cambridge, to name a few. Notable accolades include the 2010 Ecco Domani Fashion Fund Award, 2010 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund runner up, USA Network’s Character Approved Award recipient in 2011, named goodwill ambassador of Maiti Nepal, a finalist of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award, recipient of the 2011 CFDA Swarovski Award for Womenswear and was honored in 2015 with the inaugural Creativity Award from The Drawing Center. Gurung was the official 2013 designer collaborator for Target, launched a product collaboration with MAC Cosmetics in 2014, collaborated on a collection with TOMS to support Shikshya Foundation Nepal in 2016, launched a capsule with Lane Bryant in February 2017 and was named the Global Creative Director of Tasaki in September 2017.
Phillip Lim was born in Thailand, in 1973 to Chinese immigrants (his father from Hunan, his mother from Canton) who then fled to Southern California to escape Cambodia’s civil war, where his mother found work as a seamstress and his father became a professional poker player. While his mother has clearly had an early influence on his ethos, Lim didn’t fantasize of being a designer. Lim studied finance for three years at California State University of Long Beach, where it became evident that Lim was sitting in the wrong classroom and he found himself switching to a degree in home economics.
Whilst unpacking boxes at a weekend job at Barneys in Beverly Hills, Lim came across the name of a designer Katayone Adeli. He had his own career epiphany and decided to call Adeli’s office and ask to work for her. Despite not knowing what a portfolio was, he got himself an internship and eventually, through his innate talent and tenacity, earned a position in her design team. When Adeli relocated to New York, Lim remained in the Los Angeles area and co-founded his first label, Development. After four years, the then 31-year old departed to launch his collection business partner and friend, Wen Zhou, also 31. This meant switching coasts to New York, where he now works and resides in Soho.
Phillip Lim debuted his eponymous brand, 3.1 Phillip Lim, in the fall of 2005, bucking the ostentatious runway trends of the time. His line of youthfully elegant wardrobe classics with a twist, was an instant sensation and adored by critics, fashion editors and customers alike. Widespread recognition of Lim’s talent and accolades quickly followed, including the 2006 Fashion Group Internationals Women’s Designer ‘Rising Star’ Award, the 2007 CFDA Swarovski Award in Womenswear, the 2012 CFDA Swarovski Award in Menswear, and the 2013 CFDA Award for Accessories Designer of the Year.
After 10 years as creative director and co-founder of 3.1 Phillip Lim, he finds himself at the helm of a pioneering contemporary brand-designing women’s, men’s, accessories, and shoes – making him one of the most talented and successful young designers of his generation.
About the Filmmaker
Georgia Fu is a Taiwanese American filmmaker interested in thematics surrounding unusual points of connection. Her shorts have been recognized at festivals such as Slamdance, New Orleans Film Festival, Hollyshorts, and LAAPFF. She is currently developing two features, one of which is an adaptation of a story by Edward Yang.
Film Crew
FEATURING
Philip Lim
Prabal Gurung
Jessica Sommers
Cathy Wallick
DIRECTOR
Georgia Fu
PRODUCER
Lexi Tannenholtz
DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
Thomas Wood
ASSISTANT CAMERA
Josh Lawson
PHANTOM TECHNICIAN/DIT
Thomas Wong
GAFFER
Sean Li
PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS
Madison White
Wilder Troxell
Elena Bogomolva
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR
Gabby Schlein
PRODUCTION SOUND
Max Mellman
HAIR & MAKEUP
Meraly Lopez
LOCATIONS
Juku
EDITOR
Georgia Fu
COLOR SERVICES
RCO
COLORIST
Natasha Wong
COLOR PRODUCER
Kay Carpenter
SOUND SERVICES
Clever People
SOUND MIX
Vinny Alfano
SPECIAL THANKS
Juku
Lucas Cohen
Kazoo
