During the New York Design Center’s annual What’s New, What’s Next event on September 18, designer Jiun Ho hosted an all-star event to celebrate his eponymous firm’s 25th anniversary.

The afternoon kicked off with welcoming remarks from NYDC president and CEO Jim Druckman, followed by Jiun Ho Inc. partner Cliff Caplan acknowledging the audience of design-world VIPs for their support, encouragement and partnership over the years. Editor Michael Boodro then hosted “Beyond Signature Style,” a lively discussion with Ho, Penny Drue Baird and Jamie Drake, about how the well-known talents (and good friends) maintain their design identity without being trapped by it. After the panel, Baird signed advance copies of her new book, PowerHouse.

During the reception that followed, Ho was surprised with a cake in the shape of his iconic Colina sofa, which arrived aglow with candles and was accompanied by a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” from attendees. 

“I have traveled to more than 125 countries, but New York City remains one of my favorite destinations,” said Ho. “To be able to celebrate our 25th anniversary during What’s New, What’s Next with some of our closest friends and design-world luminaries is a day I will never forget.”

More than 125 attendees were on hand to fete the designer and his firm, including Druckman, Saana Baker, Michelle Blair, Jessica Davis, Laetitia Laurent, Thomas Lavin, Rodney Lawrence, Francis Nicdao, Fred Nicolaus, Dane Pressner, Martin Raffone and Franco Rivera. Designers represented at the Jiun Ho showroom also joined the celebration, including Cliff Hersh of Hersh Design and Laura Cheung Wolf of Lala Curio.