During Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York last month, Prabal Gurung was in the back seat of every cab.

Or it sure seemed that way, since he was featured in a video news clip about his work that ran almost continuously in nearly every New York taxi I took. By the end of the week, I felt like we were friends.

His career is white hot, with Vogue editor Anna Wintour singing his praises and such celebrity clients as Oprah Winfrey, Zoe Saldana, Demi Moore and first lady Michelle Obama, who wore his designs to the Smithsonian Institution and to the White House Correspondents Dinner.

Born in Singapore, raised in Nepal and educated in India, Gurung arrived in New York in 1999 to study at the Parsons School of Design, where he was honored with the Best Designer of the Year award after only a year there. Following stints at Cynthia Rowley and Bill Blass, he showed his first namesake collection to wide acclaim at fashion week last year.

His spring 2011 collection, shown at Lincoln Center last month, got rave reviews, too, for its sleek sophisticated design and bold color. Afterwards, he told the New York Times he wants to dress “smart, intelligent girls."

“We’ve had a decade of tight skirts and vulgar dresses, and I wanted to make a statement about something different," he said.

Via e-mail, he talked to Culture Map about the collection, which will be featured at the Neiman Marcus Galleria store Monday and Tuesday. He wouldn't comment on speculation that he is about to design a collection for Target, but he answered everything else.

CultureMap: How does it feel to be immortalized in the back of a cab?

Prabal Gurung: It is always odd seeing yourself when you least expect it, such as in the back of a cab. Even though I knew it would be hitting the taxis around Fashion Week, it still threw me off guard.



CM: You have said that your spring collection was a reaction to the last decade of "tight skirts and vulgar dresses." How do you think today's woman wants to dress?

PG: I believe that women should always look sharp, chic and allow their clothes to reflect who they are in some way or another.

CM:

 Your spring collection is more colorful than previous collections. Why?

PG: This season’s color palette was influenced by Maggie Betts’s documentary, which was filmed in rural Africa. She was able to beautifully capture the hues seen throughout the location she filmed in and I was immediately influenced and energized by the colors. I also enjoy working with brighter colors for the spring season.



CM: A lot of people say it's the year of the pants suit. But your collection is filled with wonderfully cut dresses. Why are you sticking with the dress?

PG: I always have separates in my collections but this season I felt it was time to bring the attention back to the femininity and versatility of a dress. I love taking a simple silhouette and adding detail that allows a dress to stand out and make a subtle statement.



CM: Michelle Obama has worn several of your designs. What does it mean to a young designer when the First Lady wears your creations?

PG: For me personally it was a moment of validation for those back home that my career path had actually gotten me somewhere. Design is definitely not a typical occupation for someone from Nepal.