Prabal Gurung and Lane Bryant: Fashion, Inclusivity, and Changing an Industry
Why Prabal Gurung Calls for Size and Identity Inclusivity: A Designer’s Mission to Shift Fashion’s Standards
Prabal Gurung and Lane Bryant: The Journey Towards Fashion Inclusivity
Fashion designer Prabal Gurung is recognized not only for his stunning collections and red carpet moments, but also for his relentless pursuit of inclusivity within the industry. His partnership with Lane Bryant—a leading fashion brand serving plus-size women—emerges as a testament to his commitment to disrupting traditional norms that have long dictated who is represented in fashion. This article explores Gurung’s motivations, the spectrum of issues he tackles, and why inclusivity and activism are at the heart of his design philosophy.
Defining a New Standard of Beauty
The traditional fashion world has often promoted a one-dimensional notion of beauty. For Prabal Gurung, such narrow thinking is not just outdated—it’s deeply problematic. He envisions a future in which beauty is no longer a single archetype, but a dynamic idea inclusive of all sizes, shapes, and colors. Gurung’s mission: to ensure every woman, regardless of size or background, feels seen, represented, and empowered.
- Diversity in Shows: Gurung makes a conscious effort to feature models of various races and sizes on his runways.
- Design with Purpose: By collaborating with Lane Bryant, he hopes to address the needs of women historically excluded from mainstream fashion.
- Redefining Normal: “Beauty is inclusion – every size, every color – that’s the world I live in… that woman, too, deserves a seat at the table.”
Why Lane Bryant? Prabal Gurung’s Purposeful Collaboration
When asked about his Lane Bryant partnership, Gurung explains that the industry’s limited perspectives drove him to create change from within. His passion for inclusion is not rooted in fleeting trends, but in a genuine desire for a more representative and kind fashion world.
He recalls how shocked he was when, after his first Lane Bryant collection, someone at an art gallery dismissed his work as designing “clothes for fat people.” Gurung’s response was decisive: such language is not just unfunny, but harmful. He sat the woman down, explained the importance of language, and reinforced that this attitude is precisely why he’s determined to expand representation.
Words matter, and so do the people they impact. Challenging stereotypes and misconceptions is an integral part of Gurung’s vision.
Favorite Pieces: Clothes That Tell a Story
Gurung singles out the gray coat with faux fur in his latest Lane Bryant collection as a favorite. Inspired by his runway pieces and designed for versatility and drama, this piece epitomizes his belief that every woman deserves clothing that is functional, beautiful, and inclusive. The collection embodies:
- Attention to Detail: Each garment is crafted with the same level of love and quality as his main line.
- Seasonless Style: Pieces that mix chic comfort with runway appeal, adaptable to different occasions and lifestyles.
- Message of Empowerment: Designing for Lane Bryant is not just about size—it’s about sending a message that great style belongs to every body.
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The State of Inclusivity in Fashion: Progress and Persistent Problems
The past decade has seen increased attention to issues of diversity, both in model casting and design. However, true progress has been slow and inconsistent. Gurung describes the fashion industry as having long gotten away with “bad behavior,” likening it to a mean girls high school where exclusion is the status quo.
The digital age—through the power of social media and heightened transparency—has forced the industry to answer for its lack of inclusivity. Consumers, now more vocal and empowered, demand representation and are holding fashion houses accountable as never before.
- Power Shift: Social media empowers consumers to call out exclusionary practices.
- Not Alone: Gurung notes a handful of fellow designers—such as Christian Siriano and Michael Costello—committed to size inclusivity, but admits “it’s not enough.”
- The Road Ahead: Real, systemic change remains elusive; too many designers see inclusion as a trend, not a responsibility.
Enduring Myths and Laziness in Design
A prevailing myth in high fashion is that designing for curvier women is somehow more difficult. Gurung rejects this outright, calling it an excuse for laziness rather than a real challenge. He insists that all bodies are unique—regardless of size—so creating beautiful garments for plus-size women shouldn’t be marginalized as a ‘problem.’ Fashion design is, at its core, an act of problem-solving and creativity, not an exercise in exclusion.
- Designers’ Excuses: Many claim that curvier bodies require dramatically different patterns or techniques. Gurung disputes this, saying quality design adapts to serve all shapes.
- Problem-Solving: Good design means adapting to differences, not shying away from them.
- European Fashion’s Lag: Gurung is especially critical of European brands and Fashion Weeks for being “notoriously horrible” at including diverse bodies and rarely being held accountable.
Speaking Truth to Power: Calling Out Industry Failures
When asked who is currently most resistant to change, Gurung doesn’t hesitate: European fashion institutions. Their lack of substantive inclusivity, and the silence surrounding it, means that true progress lags internationally.
- Cultural Change Is Needed: According to Gurung, real transformation will only occur when influential European brands are pressured to diversify their casting and sizing standards.
- Accountability Starts With Us: Gurung urges consumers, designers, and media to demand change rather than waiting for industry gatekeepers to have an epiphany.
- Leadership by Example: “People in fashion lack courage… change happens when we demand it.”
Beyond Size: Gurung’s Broader Mission—Feminism and Immigration
Fashion’s Platform for Feminism
Inclusivity for Gurung goes beyond body size. As the product of a single-mother household and surrounded by strong women—his mother, sister, even high-profile supporters like Michelle Obama and Kate Middleton—he believes fashion should uplift women’s voices and stories. Gurung’s collections and runway shows regularly incorporate affirmations of feminism, from statement pieces to the visibility he gives his muses and collaborators.
- Championing Women: Gurung credits much of his success and platform to the support of women throughout his life.
- Embedding Feminism: His shows, collections, and social statements consistently reflect his belief in gender equality and the power of women’s leadership.
- Visibility for Role Models: He celebrates women who have broken barriers—both within fashion and in broader society.
The Immigrant Experience Shapes the Message
Gurung’s activism is also personal. A proud immigrant, he regularly weaves stories of migration, identity, and the American dream into his work. The discriminatory climate in the U.S.—particularly since the Trump administration—has only strengthened his resolve to highlight immigrants’ contributions to society and champion inclusivity in all its forms.
- America Built by Immigrants: Gurung emphasizes that American culture and progress depend on the work and sacrifices of immigrants.
- Responding to Discrimination: Recent political events, including rising xenophobia, have made the stakes of representation higher than ever.
- Driving Conversation: “People are awake… we are talking about politics, about inclusivity, about immigrants. I hope this conversation doesn’t die down.”
Fashion as Activism: Using the Runway to Change Minds
Gurung sees his platform as a designer as inseparable from his responsibilities as a change-maker. He’s not interested in neutrality: through his work, social media, and public speaking, Gurung passionately calls out injustice—even if it brings controversy.
- Runway Activism: Signature designs have featured slogans like “I am an immigrant” and “Our bodies, our choices, our power,” reinforcing his political and ethical vision.
- Rejecting Silence: Despite the risks, Gurung believes that creative success is a privilege that obligates taking a stand on social issues.
- Influencing the Industry: Whether by pressuring venues (as he did regarding the Hudson Yards/Trump fundraiser controversy) or by fostering dialogue, he aims to make fashion more accountable and responsive.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why is size inclusivity so important in fashion?
A: Size inclusivity ensures everyone has access to beautiful, high-quality clothes. It challenges harmful societal norms and makes fashion empowering rather than exclusionary.
Q: What makes Gurung’s Lane Bryant collaboration unique?
A: The collection merges high-fashion aesthetics with true inclusivity and is crafted with the same attention and respect as his primary runway line.
Q: Why does Gurung call out the European fashion industry in particular?
A: He believes true change will only occur when powerful European brands model inclusivity and are held to the same standards as U.S. designers in terms of casting and sizing.
Q: Are designers who don’t serve all sizes at a technical disadvantage?
A: Gurung asserts it’s not harder to design for curvy bodies—claiming otherwise reflects a lack of innovation, not a legitimate hurdle.
Q: Why does Gurung include activism and politics in his shows?
A: Gurung feels it is his duty as a public figure and designer to use his platform for social good, promoting conversations around immigration, feminism, and inclusion.
Table: Comparing Traditional Fashion vs. Gurung’s Inclusivity Model
| Aspect | Traditional Fashion | Gurung’s Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Size Diversity | Exclusive; focuses on sample sizes 0-4 | Inclusive; wide range of body types featured |
| Model Casting | Limited racial/ethnic diversity | Multi-ethnic and multicultural emphasis |
| Design Philosophy | Favors a single beauty standard | Sees beauty in every shape and background |
| Responsiveness | Slow to acknowledge criticism | Seeks dialogue, embraces controversy for change |
| Political Engagement | Tends toward neutrality | Openly activist and values-driven |
Key Takeaways: How to Move Fashion Forward
- Demand Representation: The industry will only change if consumers, media, and creators unite in holding brands accountable.
- Uplift Multiple Voices: Not only size, but race, gender, and immigration stories must be brought to the forefront.
- Change from Within: Partnerships like Gurung’s with Lane Bryant prove that high fashion and inclusivity can, and must, coexist.
- Stay Vocal: Social change in fashion involves discomfort, courage, and active public discourse.
Inspiration for the Future
Prabal Gurung’s outspoken approach demonstrates the power of fashion as both an art form and a vehicle for advocacy. In his words, only when the industry truly embraces a wider definition of beauty and identity—and backs this with action—can fashion keep pace with the global audience it serves. As designers, brands, and consumers increasingly challenge the old guard, a new era of possibility emerges—one that’s more vibrant, representative, and just.
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