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

NEW YORK— As models glided down the rain-soaked runway wearing ethereal looks in Prabal Gurung's unique brand of timeless silhouettes at New York Fashion Week, guests holding up clear umbrellas sat transfixed as if they had become part of the performance. 

 Just before stepping onto the gold mylar-covered runway to take his bow after debuting his spring/summer 2024 collection on Sept. 8, Gurung bent down to touch the ground with his right hand, a ritual often followed by artists in India and Nepal in deference to their art, signaling humility and respect. "You know, no one's bigger than Mother Earth. 

It grounds me immediately," says Gurung the following week as he sits in his showroom in Manhattan's Fashion District wearing a casual white cotton kurta and jeans. "That very act for me, keeps me grounded. Like, I'm not bigger than the ground I am walking on." Among guests cheering that day at Four Freedom's Park at the tip of Roosevelt Island were Venus Williams, Maddie Ziegler, 

Sarah Hyland, Lori Harvey, Padma Lakshmi, Kal Penn and Sarita Choudhury. With a long list of boldface names Gurung's dressed – including Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Princess Kate, Lady Gaga, Priyanka Chopra and Kylie Jenner in the 14 years he's been in business – the 44-year-old designer is not just talking about staying grounded for the event. The Nepalese-American designer has been vocal about immigrant rights, women's rights and addressing a changing America, asking a provocative question during one of his shows: 

Who gets to be American? Gurung, who was elected as vice-chair of the Council of Fashion Designers of America this year, says redefining Americana is part of his mission. "Americana is usually Ralph Lauren and Donna Karen and Calvin Klein. That's what we think about," he says. "The America that I see is a lot more diverse than that. It's still glamorous, still beautiful. So I want to create that world." up next Sienna Miller rocks two-piece, caresses baby bump: See the photo He's dressed Lady Gaga and Oprah. 

Now, designer Prabal Gurung wants to redefine Americana. "I just want to make sure what I leave behind is bigger than me," says designer Prabal Gurung. SWAPNA VENUGOPAL RAMASWAMY USA TODAY 5 hours ago Show Caption NEW YORK— As models glided down the rain-soaked runway wearing ethereal looks in Prabal Gurung's unique brand of timeless silhouettes at New York Fashion Week, guests holding up clear umbrellas sat transfixed as if they had become part of the performance.

 Just before stepping onto the gold mylar-covered runway to take his bow after debuting his spring/summer 2024 collection on Sept. 8, Gurung bent down to touch the ground with his right hand, a ritual often followed by artists in India and Nepal in deference to their art, signaling humility and respect. "You know, no one's bigger than Mother Earth. It grounds me immediately," says Gurung the following week as he sits in his showroom in Manhattan's Fashion District wearing a casual white cotton kurta and jeans.

 "That very act for me, keeps me grounded. Like, I'm not bigger than the ground I am walking on." Fashion designer Prabal Gurung Fashion designer Prabal Gurung is opening up about his life and career journey: "I'm not bigger than the ground I am walking on." SUBMITTED Among guests cheering that day at Four Freedom's Park at the tip of Roosevelt Island were Venus Williams, Maddie Ziegler, Sarah Hyland, Lori Harvey, Padma Lakshmi, Kal Penn and Sarita Choudhury. With a long list of boldface names Gurung's dressed – including Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Princess Kate, Lady Gaga, Priyanka Chopra and Kylie Jenner in the 14 years he's been in business – the 44-year-old designer is not just talking about staying grounded for the event. 

 A model walks the runway at Prabal Gurung's New York Fashion Week show A model walks the runway at Prabal Gurung's New York Fashion Week, showcasing the spring/summer 2024 collection. DAN LECCA The Nepalese-American designer has been vocal about immigrant rights, women's rights and addressing a changing America, asking a provocative question during one of his shows: Who gets to be American? Gurung, who was elected as vice-chair of the Council of Fashion Designers of America this year, says redefining Americana is part of his mission. 

 "Americana is usually Ralph Lauren and Donna Karen and Calvin Klein. That's what we think about," he says. "The America that I see is a lot more diverse than that. It's still glamorous, still beautiful. So I want to create that world." The theme of his latest collection is "West meets East," where many of the designs are inspired by the fluid sari. Gurung seeks to flip the script of the traditional narrative of "East meets West," where minorities or smaller players meet the dominant forces. On a mission to "decolonize" the prevalent notions of fashion, where bold colors or styles are often seen as garish or tacky, Gurung says it's time America's fashion reflected its people. It's clearly resonating. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker, left) and Seema (Sarita Choudhury) go for a night out. Actress Sarita Choudhury (right - as still form Max's And Just Like That) says she loves the use of color by designer Prabal Gurung CRAIG BLANKENHORN/HBO MAX Prabal Gurung's famous followers Sarita Choudhury, Padma Lakshmi hint at Asian American buying power Choudhury, the actress joining Carrie Bradshaw's stylish circle in Max's "And Just Like That…," 

is a fan of Gurung's creations."Even though they're intricate and look very elegant, they're so effortless," she says. "And bravo to his non-fear of color, using color in a way that only us Asians understand on a very subtle, deep level."