Happy Anniversary Prabal Gurung! The Designer Fêted His Label’s 10th Year and His New Book With a Flowery Dinner

As the blustery winds and fires churned nearby, friends, fans, and some of Prabal Gurung’s original supporters put smiles on their faces as they had something to celebrate. At an intimate dinner at the Sunset Tower, Gurung fêted the release of his forthcoming book, Prabal Gurung, which coincides with the 10th anniversary of the brand.

Amidst a tropical floral install that snaked along the long dinner tables and hung from the ornate overhead lighting, the room’s blooms beautifully mimicked the cover of Gurung’s new book. Taking on a more serious tone, Gurung took to the floor to talk about his narrative, the growth of the brand, and how being an immigrant has fundamentally shaped his story, calling his book “the manifestation of an immigrant’s dream.”

While hosts Olivia Munn, Laverne Cox, Jaime King, Joan Smalls, and Tommy Dorfman looked on, Gurung personally thanked those that had helped him along the way (stylists Rachel Zoe, Elizabeth Stewart, and Law Roach, among them), and animatedly shared his journey with the crowd.

“Oftentimes at fashion dinners, which we’ve all been to, we talk about who looks good, and we shrug a shoulder, but it’s rare we have a conversation of substance,” he said before sharing the story of how he arrived in America some twenty years ago, without knowing anyone, with the sole dream of becoming a fashion designer. “Tonight’s a celebration of people who look different,” he said, surveying the room, “and a celebration of misfits.”

But it was also a celebration of Gurung’s commitment to celebrating women in all their forms. Over dinner, he was praised for championing and advocating for the women he designs for, embracing differences, raising his voice for change, and using his platform to empower.