Globally acclaimed Nepali-American fashion designer Prabal Gurung has been named the International Guest of Honour for the 30th anniversary of the PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival (PMFF), scheduled to take place from 14 to 28 February 2026. The milestone edition of the festival will celebrate three decades of fashion excellence while highlighting Melbourne’s growing influence as a major fashion hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
As part of the anniversary programme, Gurung will deliver the keynote address at the Australian Fashion Business Lunch on 25 February 2026. In addition, he will attend several Premium Runway events and engage with fashion students at a local university, offering insights into building a sustainable global fashion career. Festival organizers say his presence will add significant international stature to the event.
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PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival CEO Caroline Ralphsmith described Gurung’s appointment as a defining moment for the festival’s landmark year. She noted that his global reputation, creative leadership, and advocacy bring international attention to Australian fashion and reinforce Melbourne’s standing as a leading destination for design and innovation.
For Gurung, returning to Melbourne holds personal significance. Having lived in the city early in his career, he described his participation in the 2026 festival as deeply meaningful. As the keynote speaker, he is expected to reflect on his experiences with global travel, cultural exchange, and humanitarian work through Shikshya Foundation Nepal, alongside discussing themes from his recently released memoir, Walk Like a Girl.
Born in Singapore and raised in Kathmandu, Prabal Gurung began his fashion journey in New Delhi before pursuing formal education at the Parsons School of Design in New York. He launched his New York-based fashion label at New York Fashion Week in 2009, quickly earning international recognition for his bold designs and strong social voice. He currently serves as Vice Chair of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA), further cementing his influence in the global fashion industry.
Over the years, Gurung’s designs have been worn by some of the world’s most prominent figures, including Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway. His appointment as International Guest of Honour at PMFF 2026 not only celebrates his remarkable career but also highlights the global impact of designers with South Asian and Nepali roots.
With Prabal Gurung at its center, the 30th PayPal Melbourne Fashion Festival promises to be a landmark event that blends global fashion leadership, cultural storytelling, and industry innovation.
