Prabal Gurung, Sarita Choudhury, Diane Kruger, and More Dazzling Guests at the All That Glitters Diwali Ball

If Diwali is a festival of lights, Saturday night’s second-annual All That Glitters Diwali Ball, hosted at the Pierre Hotel, had light scattering all over the 5th Avenue hotel. Under the ballroom’s impressive chandeliers, the jewels and diamté embroideries worn by the glamorous guests shimmered like flickering candles throughout the space.

Hosted by Anjula Acharia and co hosted by fashion designer Prabal Gurung, the event brought together a guest list that included Huma Abedin, Imran Amed, Sarita Choudhury, Priya Shukla, Diane Kruger, Georgina Chapman and Adrien Brody. (More of the host committee included Bela Bajaria, Anita Chatterjee, Mindy Kaling, Rupi Kaur, Padma Lakshmi, Indra Nooyi, Rohan Oza, Falguni Peacock, Shane Peacock, Jay Shetty, and Versha Sharma.)

The dress code, "Modern Raja and Rani," inspired guests to don their most regal attire, resulting in an incredible display of magnificent lehengas, jewels, sherwanis, and suits. As co-hosts, Falguni and Shane Peacock, two of India's top fashion designers, naturally dressed many of the attendees.

Gurung's outfit for the evening was nothing short of spectacular. Adorned in an ensemble featuring over 100,000 crystals, emeralds, and stones, which was hand-embroidered by artisans in India for months, Gurung humorously noted: “I danced the whole night with it on, and I didn't mind it at all. I feel comfort is overrated. Fashion before comfort is my personal mantra!” His choice of emerald green was a heartfelt tribute to his mother. “I chose this emerald green because it’s my mom’s favorite color, and the embroidery is inspired by a green sari she used to wear when we were growing up, " he added, “what can I say? I am a mama’s boy.”

Other impeccably dressed guests included Shukla, who dazzled in a pink feathered design by Falguni Shane Peacock; Chapman wore a deep red gown by her label Marchesa that certainly fit the “Rani” bill; and Kruger wore a fiery red chiffon dress also by Prabal Gurung.

Gurung shared his deep appreciation for Diwali, stating, “In precarious, challenging, and divisive times where so many of us are perplexed and grappling for hope, I believe that joy is the ultimate resistance to all the hate for it's deeply rooted in hope. And hope and optimism is the first step towards change.” Gurung, whose connection to Diwali runs deep, further added, “Diwali is one of my favorite holidays. Growing up in India and Nepal, this festival, which goes on for several days, is really a celebration of love, light, and hope with family and friends.”

Guests arrived at around 8 PM to a brilliant display (the event was produced by Exquisite Events) in The Pierre’s ornate muraled Rotunda room, which featured a branchy floral arrangement of white roses and cherry blossoms. After cocktail hour, guests were ushered into the Cotillion Room for dinner and dancing. Before both commenced, gala goers heard from actor Sarita Choudhury, who helped kick off the event with poignant words: “Today I was reading something that said, Diwali is one of the only festivals that brings faith together, and it asks for nonviolence.” Acknowledging the heartbreaking situation in the Middle East, Choudhury continued, “Oh, we have to do this tonight.”

Before everyone enjoyed a buffet-style feast of South Asian cuisine—petite samosas, pakoras, pani puri, and more—they were treated to a dazzling performance by the dancers of AATMA Performing Arts. Speaking to the crowd just after, Choudhury (who, of course, just starred in And Just Like That) remarked, “These dancers just now put sex back into the city.” And with that, everyone else got on the dance floor, where they would remain for the rest of the night.