Prabal Gurung launched his new label – Prabal Gurung x ICB at Barneys, New York on Wednesday night and had his muses and fashionistas rock the party. Gurung tied up with ‘Onward Kashiyama’ last year to launch ICB. Japanese brand ICB, which stands for International Concept Brand, is owned by established Japanese manufacturing company Onward Kashiyama, which also owns Jil Sander, J Press and others. They also have distribution and licensing agreements with Donna Karan, Calvin Klein and other big names.
In February this year, Prabal Gurung showcased his debut ICB Collection at the New York Fashion Week and said, “I would say an inspiring combination of beauty, intelligence and a little sense of humor is what an ICB girl is all about. She has innate good taste and this is a stepping stone to what I have to offer in my main collection.”
Prabal Gurung x ICB’s tailored, sculptural skirts, dresses and sweaters were unmistakably Gurung, as were the prints and pops of colour like chartreuse and interesting details like dip-dying and laser cutting. However, the clothes were far more casual than the ultra-luxurious eveningwear that dominates his main collections. Gurung claims ICB to be ‘affordable’ but I don’t know how many would find prices ranging from $250 to $650 ‘affordable’.
The party had Prabal Gurung’s many muses but most prominently Hannah Bronfman, socialite and official ICB girl, who did triple duty as muse, hostess, and dj at the event and NYC’s girls about town like Cory Kennedy, Hanne Gaby Odiele, Elettra Weidemann, and Mia Moretti decked out in the new line. Vogue’s Chioma Nadi, CR (Carine Rotfield) Book‘s Shiona Turni and Barneys Creative Director, Simon Doonan too were there.