He's dressed Lady Gaga and Oprah. Now, designer Prabal Gurung wants to redefine Americana.

Fashion designer Prabal Gurung is making waves in the fashion world with his mission to redefine Americana. As models graced the rain-soaked runway during his New York Fashion Week debut of the spring/summer 2024 collection, spectators held clear umbrellas and watched in awe, feeling like part of a mesmerizing performance.

Gurung's roots in Nepal and India influence his deep connection to the earth. Just before taking his bow on the gold mylar-covered runway, he performed a ritual, touching the ground with his right hand, a gesture symbolizing humility and respect for Mother Earth.

Among the notable guests at the event were Venus Williams, Maddie Ziegler, Sarah Hyland, Lori Harvey, Padma Lakshmi, Kal Penn, and Sarita Choudhury. Gurung's clientele includes iconic figures like Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Princess Kate, Lady Gaga, Priyanka Chopra, and Kylie Jenner, showcasing his influence over the past 14 years.

But Prabal Gurung is not just about fashion; he's an advocate for immigrant rights, women's rights, and redefining what it means to be American. He questions the conventional definition of "Americana," which often brings to mind names like Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan. Instead, he envisions a more diverse, glamorous, and beautiful America, and he's determined to create a world that reflects it.

His latest collection, "West meets East," draws inspiration from the fluidity of the sari, challenging the traditional "East meets West" narrative. Gurung's mission is to "decolonize" the fashion industry, challenging preconceived notions about bold colors and styles and making fashion more reflective of America's diverse population.

This move makes economic sense too. The Asian American consumer market is growing rapidly, and Gurung's designs resonate with this demographic. As the Asian diaspora in the United States has nearly doubled since 2000, their buying power has surged by 314%, reaching $1.3 trillion. Companies can no longer afford a one-size-fits-all approach to marketing.

Gurung's commitment to cultural activism and advocacy has earned him respect in the industry. He is a founding member of Gold House, a nonprofit that promotes the interests of Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

Padma Lakshmi, a television host and author, admires Gurung not only for his fashion sense but also for his depth as a person. Born in Singapore and raised in Nepal and India, Gurung faced adversity but pursued his dream of becoming a fashion designer after moving to New York. He interned for Donna Karen and worked for Cynthia Rowley before launching his own brand.

Gurung's journey to success was not without its challenges, but he persevered and became an overnight sensation with his debut collection. Demi Moore and Oprah Winfrey were among the first celebrities to embrace his designs.

Through it all, Gurung remains grounded, inspired by the impermanence of life. He seeks to leave a lasting legacy, both in the fashion world and through his philanthropic efforts in Nepal, where he supports education and provides relief in times of crisis.

Gurung's influence extends beyond fashion, as he engages with and inspires a global audience. Recently, he held a public conversation with Indian director and producer Karan Johar, who praised Gurung's ability to break through in the competitive fashion landscape and become an inspiration to Indians and Asians worldwide.

For his latest show, Gurung chose the Four Freedoms Park as the venue to encourage guests to reflect on their freedom to be themselves. The gold mylar runway symbolized the path to self-acceptance, where showing up unapologetically as oneself is the ultimate act of resistance. As he touched the ground and looked up, Gurung felt an emotional surge of energy and love, a testament to his profound impact on the fashion world and beyond.