Global designer returns to Melbourne, connecting fashion, culture and creative mentorship through a milestone Festival moment
As International Guest of Honour for the 30th anniversary of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival (PMFF), globally celebrated designer Prabal Gurung brought his message of creativity, identity and courage to the next generation of fashion talent during a special campus masterclass held as part of the Festival’s wider cultural programme.
The Singapore-born, New York-based designer joined students for an open conversation on creativity and the realities of building a global fashion career – a moment that reflected one of the Festival’s defining themes this year: fostering dialogue between established creative leaders and emerging voices.
Returning to a campus environment for the first time in several years, Gurung described the experience as deeply familiar. Addressing students at the beginning of their creative journeys, he spoke candidly about uncertainty, self-belief and the courage required to pursue a life in fashion.
“I vividly remember the emotions of starting out, not knowing what life had in store,” Gurung shared. “When I chose fashion as a young person, there were no role models around me. What carried me forward was the freedom to pursue joy.”
Born in Singapore, raised in Kathmandu, Nepal, and professionally shaped across New Delhi and New York, Gurung’s career reflects the global pathways increasingly defining contemporary fashion. His return to Melbourne, a city connected to an early chapter of his journey, formed a key part of the Festival’s “Melbourne Homecoming” narrative, celebrating creative exchange across cultures and continents.
Throughout the session, Gurung encouraged students to embrace individuality and authenticity as creative strengths rather than obstacles. “You’re who you are, where you come from – messy or perfect – that is your story,” he said. “Nobody else can tell it for you.”
The conversation explored the pressures creatives face as their careers grow, with Gurung speaking openly about moments when external expectations challenged his own creative voice. Reflecting on those experiences, he emphasised the importance of stepping back and reconnecting with personal purpose.
“As creative people, we care deeply, sometimes too deeply about outside opinions,” he noted. “You have to return to your own voice. That’s where meaningful work comes from.”
The masterclass formed part of Gurung’s broader participation in the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival, where he delivered a keynote address, attended Premium Runway presentations and engaged with emerging designers through mentorship-focused programming, reinforcing the Festival’s position as a public-facing celebration of fashion, culture and community.
Now marking three decades, PMFF continues to champion fashion as a space for connection and opportunity, bringing together industry leaders, audiences and young creatives in dialogue.
Gurung’s presence at the milestone edition underscored the Festival’s commitment to values-led fashion, grounded in inclusivity, cultural exchange and creative expression. A longstanding advocate for diversity and representation, Gurung has consistently used fashion as a platform for empowerment, dressing influential global figures including Oprah Winfrey, Michelle Obama, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Lady Gaga.
As the Festival looks toward its next chapter, Gurung’s return to Melbourne highlighted fashion’s enduring ability to unite stories, communities and generations through shared creativity.
The PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival took place from 14-28 February 2026, celebrating 30 years as one of the world’s leading consumer-facing fashion festivals.
