Just two years into Prabal Gurung’s collaboration with TASAKI, the Creative Director is celebrating his first bricks-and-mortar milestone. With a fresh residence on London’s New Bond Street – the boutique is in elegant company, flanked by the likes of Piaget and Harry Winston – the Japanese jewellery label, famed for its Akoya pearls and high-grade diamonds, has launched its European presence with a spanking new flagship in the Capital.

And, while the postcode may be elite, Prabal’s designs are far from elit-ist. In fact, it’s with much the same philosophy for inclusivity and evolution (as championed by his own eponymous brand) that he’s steered the reins at TASAKI since 2017.

It was the following year that Gurung made his design debut, manifesting his modern mantra for beauty into the TASAKI Atelier collection in anticipation of his namesake label’s 10th anniversary this September. A concept entitled "Surrealism" – starring creations that span tumbling waterfalls of ocean pearls and sculptural stalactites, traced in diamonds – his chandelier earrings and their counterpart bracelets, rings and extraordinary golden necklaces – have frosted his prêt-à-porter runway ensembles, and redefined the positioning and parameters of haute bijoux.


What’s the mantra you tell yourself first thing in the morning?
Every morning, I wake up with gratitude. I feel grateful to be alive. This leads me to ask myself the question: How does that gratitude manifest into action and responsibility for the day? It’s this question that drives me to be my best self, to work with integrity and to stay focused and inspired.

How do you take your coffee?
I’m more of a tea guy! I like tea that reminds me of my home in Nepal, but it is hard to come by in New York City. I’ll usually end up drinking English Breakfast.

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what would you be doing instead?
I would be a pop star… A karaoke pop star!



If you could only keep one outfit in your wardrobe, which would it be?
Our Prabal Gurung white T-shirt and jeans is my go-to.

Who’s one person you’d love to have dinner with?
I’d be so honoured to have dinner with Oprah Winfrey; she’s the reason I am where I am today. Oprah inspired me to make my dream of moving to New York and launching my own collection a reality. I used to watch her on TV back home in Nepal – and she really led me to manifest my American Dream.  

What’s the main thing you would like to achieve this year? 
This year is the 10th anniversary of our brand, so it’s a really special time for us. I’d like to honour our decade in business with gratitude and appreciation towards all the people who have believed in us, partnered with us and supported us – from our incredible retail partners and brand muses, to those stylists, editors, employees, show team, friends and family members. We are able to do what we do because of our support system, which extends beyond simply running a clothing brand. It allowed us to launch our foundation, Shikshya Foundation Nepal, seven years ago – an organisation that provides education to underserved children in Nepal. Rather than chasing more followers, a bigger business, or other traditional measures of success, I’d like to sit in what we have been able to create with pride and joy, and express our appreciation to those who have enabled us to get here.


Image courtesy of Kyla Rae Polanco.

Who would you want to record your audio autobiography, voice-wise?
Idris Elba, David Attenborough… Or Oprah Winfrey, of course!

Why do you think you ended up doing what you do?
I have a vision for what this world can be: A world that is diverse, inclusive and stronger in colour. I have the responsibility and power to do my part to make this vision a reality.  

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More 8Qs:

Natasha Zinko: "I originally studied to be a lawyer but my heart wasn't in it"

+ Han Chong: 
"Fashion is the most versatile art form"

Sophie Hulme: "I always have a cup of English Breakfast in the morning"


Tags: 8Qs , Prabal Gurung , Tasaki , SS19 , AW19