International fashion magazines are more aspirational than inspirational because they’re often devoid of faces we can identify with. But the ad campaign for acclaimed designer Prabal Gurung’s Fall 2018 collection, aptly titled ‘Stronger in Colour’, gives us a lot to look forward to. The campaign champions diversity as it not only features models from various Asian countries but it was also shot with a predominantly Asian crew.
Says the Nepalese-American designer, “My goal with this campaign is to represent and celebrate the diverse range of the pan-Asian region and to start a conversation about the power of visual representation, the challenges we face, and how we can overcome them.”
Prabal’s campaign comes as a breath of fresh air in the world for fashion, where adequate representation of racial diversity continues to be an issue. And the designer is the perfect person to birth it, given that he has never shied away from using the runway to take a stand on important issues. In the past, the designer has unhesitatingly shared his views on political hot potatoes including immigration, feminism, and workplace harassment, and he continues to be an advocate for body positivity. Talking about why inclusion and representation are issues that are close to his heart, Prabal says, “I’ve never seen someone who looks like me in the glossy pages of a magazine or on a Hollywood screen, and I have definitely never seen my ethnicity portrayed in a desirable or glamorous way. With this campaign, I want to change that notion, not just for myself, but for the next generation.” The designer, who has dressed some of the world’s most powerful women including former FLOTUS Michelle Obama, actresses Helen Mirren and Issa Rae, and whose creations are a hit among Indian celebs like Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Sonam Kapoor, says that he has found inspiration in the “strong and vigilant women” he saw and was raised by in Nepal, India, and across the greater pan-Asian region.
“Representation in front of the camera is important it’s the first touch point a viewer has with a story. And it is equally important that we give a seat at the table to minority talents that are working to bring our story to life. The importance of giving an opportunity to minority photographers, stylists, hair and makeup artists is often overlooked,” he rues.
To right this wrong, Prabal had the art director of his campaign, David Moran, rope in a stylist and photographer from South Korea, a makeup artist from Thailand and a hair stylist from India. This was in addition to the cast of models that featured Varsha Thapa (Nepal), Kanta (Thailand), He Cong (China), Hyun Ji (Korea) and Diya (Singapore and India) as the faces of the campaign.
For greater visibility, Prabal turned to social media. When published on Instagram, his campaign became an instant hit. “The web space and digital media are completely transforming things. The rise of digital media has given voice to a new authority. No longer are a few publications or figureheads the authority figures. Now, everyone has a platform and place to express themselves,” he says.
