Globally acclaimed Nepalese American fashion designer Prabal Gurung has been named International Guest of Honor at the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival (PMFF), marking a major highlight of the festival’s 30th anniversary celebrations, running from February 14 to 28, 2026.

As part of the milestone program, Gurung will serve as keynote speaker at the Australian Fashion Business Lunch on February 25. He will also attend several of the Festival’s Premium Runway events and visit fashion students at a local university, sharing insights on building an international fashion career and navigating the global creative industry.

Festival organizers say Gurung’s appointment reflects PMFF’s expanding international profile and reinforces Melbourne’s position as a leading fashion capital in the Asia-Pacific region.

PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival CEO Caroline (Ralph) Ralphsmith described Gurung’s involvement as a defining moment for the event.

“Welcoming Prabal Gurung as our International Guest of Honor is a defining moment for our 30th anniversary,” Ralphsmith said. “His global career and creative leadership bring significant international attention to Australian fashion. His keynote address will be a major highlight of our 2026 program.”

Gurung called the invitation “a true honor,” noting the personal significance of returning to Melbourne, where he lived early in his career.

“The Festival’s ability to unite fashion, culture, and community is incredibly powerful,” Gurung said. “Returning to Melbourne feels deeply personal, and I’m excited to share my story at the Australian Fashion Business Lunch and to connect with the next generation of designers.”

During his keynote, Gurung will reflect on how global travel and cultural exchange have shaped his career, discuss his humanitarian work with the Shikshya Foundation Nepal, and speak about his memoir, Walk Like a Girl, which explores identity, resilience, and creative courage.

Born in Singapore and raised in Kathmandu, Gurung began his fashion journey in New Delhi before moving to New York City to study at Parsons School of Design. He launched his eponymous label at New York Fashion Week in 2009, quickly gaining international recognition.

Today, Gurung serves as Vice Chair of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and is widely celebrated for his bold, socially conscious designs, vibrant use of color, and outspoken advocacy for diversity and inclusion. His work is known for reframing cultural narratives and creating a dialogue between East and West, rather than positioning one against the other.

Over the years, his designs have been worn by global figures including Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Margot Robbie, and Catherine, Princess of Wales.The PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival will take place from February 14 to 28, 2026, featuring runway shows, industry events, and cultural programming celebrating fashion, creativity, and innovation.

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