Prabal Gurung to design for ICB

New York-based designer Prabal Gurung has been appointed as Chief Designer for the relaunch

of the ICB collection in Europe and America. The label, formerly designed by Michael Kors and Viktor + Rolf, stopped distributing in the West in 2002, but Japanese retail and fashion company Onward Kashiyama has announced its plans to reintroduce it to those markets in 2012.

Gurung’s collection for ICB will hit the US in autumn 2012, while Europe will have to wait until 2013, and it is rumoured that the looks are to be unveiled at New York Fashion Week in February.  The designer will also provide design direction to the full ICB collection, which will be distributed in Asia and Japan only.

The appointment is the first major initiative under the company’s new president, Akinori Baba, who joined Onward Kashiyama in September. Baba has also opened a New York studio for Gurung to use.

"The potential of the ICB brand in the US and globally is a priority for Onward Kashiyama," said Akinori Baba. "Gurung as a maverick international designer combined with our established business in Japan provides a solid foundation."