“I started Cult Gaia with the idea of bringing people together who believe in magic and creativity, and who appreciate the beauty of objects that take a lot of work and celebrate craftsmanship,” Cult Gaia founder and designer Jasmin Larian told a fashionable crowd that included Aurora James and Benjamin Bronfman, Sami Miro, Adam and Ryan Goldston, Kevan Hall, Peter Cohen, Sergio Hudson, Zaid Affas, Jamie Haller, Charles Harbison, Kenneth Nicholson, and Jasmin Shokrian, and more.

“I’m so lucky to be able to do that with all of you and also be a part of this network where I can really help creatives, but also be inspired by them,” she added.

Larian was speaking in a magical Tea House surrounded by a koi pond on a serene estate once inhabited by Elvis Presley.

Wednesday evening’s cocktail was a celebration of connection, community, and the Friends of the CFDA program, and Friends –John Imah, James Frazier, Johana Hernandez, Mandana Dayani among them – were joined by Jeannie Mai, Grace Cha, Tara Rowghani, Tina Odjaghian, Dena Giannini, Mimi Cuttrell, Scott Studenberg, and more.

CFDA CEO and President Steven Kolb explained how CFDA created Friends of the CFDA for individuals who love fashion but aren’t designers, and for designers who want to join the American fashion world but are not yet at the level to become CFDA designer member.

In his remarks, Kolb linked Larian’s name to the designer’s heritage – Jasmin refers to the flower of the name that represents beauty, grace, warmth, and also translates into “Gift from God.”

“I think those are all words that describe Jasmin,” he said. “Jasmin represents everything that the CFDA is all about – people who care about the community, who want to build tighter community, and have extraordinary talent.”

As for Jasmin, “It was childhood dream of mine to be a part of the CFDA, and I feel very grateful to be here.”

So did we!