Prabal Gurung is known for his inspiring, inclusive, and powerful runways during New York Fashion Week—and his Fall 2018 show last night was no exception.
Backstage, the mood was set for models walking the show with empowering posters reading positive mantras like "Your voice is your power: use it for justice" hanging on the walls.
Furthering the feminist tone of the evening, the front row included #MeToo founder Tarana Burke (attending her first ever fashion show), Janet Mock, Laverne Cox, Whoopi Goldberg, Huma Abedin, and Cardi B.
As for the collection itself, the colorful lineup of clothing was inspired by powerful women from Gurung's home country of Nepal along with women-centric groups like India's Gulabi Gang and the Mosuo tribe of China. Pink, as it turns out, is a common color shared amongst these cultures.
The most powerful, goosebump-inducing moment of the show, however, came during the finale walk. The diverse cast of models walked the runway side by side, holding white flowers, with some linking arms. The moment drove home the designer's message that women are stronger together, and stronger in color.
Bella and Gigi Hadid both led and closed the walk, sharing a sweet moment of sisterhood with the two draping arms over each other's backs as the show ended.
For a show that celebrated the power of unity amongst women, it was the perfect way to close the runway.
Of course, this is hardly Gurung's first time bringing feminism to NYFW. For Fall 2017, the designer staged an empowering finale in which every model walked the runway in statement-making feminist t-shirts reading things like "Nevertheless She Persisted" and "We Will Not Be Silenced." Last season, Gurung's show began with a voiceover of The Activist's prayer and also seated Gloria Steinem in the front row for her first fashion show.
