NEW YORK, United States — On Tuesday evening, fashion creatives, executives, and entrepreneurs from all over the world joined me and the BoF team to celebrate our 5th Anniversary with a birthday bash at the Hotel Americano, co-hosted by Phillip Lim and Julie Gilhart. To be surrounded by so many of our friends and supporters who have helped BoF become what it is today was a very special occasion indeed.

So, to mark this important milestone in our short history, we decided to ask members of the BoF community gathered in New York, and hundreds of thousands of others following us Twitter and Tumblr, to answer one simple question: "WHY DO YOU LOVE WORKING IN THE BUSINESS OF FASHION?"

Given that it was Valentine’s Day, perhaps it’s not surprising that it turned into a bit of a BoF Love-in. Some guests interpreted the question as “WHY DO YOU LOVE THE BUSINESS OF FASHION,” which was just fine with us!

Here's what we we learned from our amazing community — including Prabal Gurung, Tory Burch, Fern Mallis, Natalie Massenet, Susie Bubble, Waris Ahluwalia, Caroline Issa, Peter Som, and Paula Reed.

ZALDY GOCO, Fashion Designer 
I love working in The Business of Fashion because it gives me the "Freedom to dream"

I love working in The Business of Fashion because "Freedom to dream"

BRITT ABOUTALEB AND JOHN JANNUZZI, Online Editors Elle.com and LuckyMag.com

"Elle loves BoF" and "Lucky loves BoF"

CREATURES OF THE WIND, Designers
Shane Gabier (L): "CoTW loves The Business of Fashion because the pictures in my mind can become a reality"
Christopher Peters (R): I love working in The Business of Fashion because "it's the only thing I can do."

CAROLINE ISSA, Publisher, Tank Magazine

I love working in The Business of Fashion because of "The clothes! The designers! The magazines!!!"

PHILLIP LIM, Designer

I love working in The Business of Fashion "for the love of it..."

VIKRAM KANSARA, Managing Editor, BoF

I love working in The Business of Fashion because "BoF is the best in fashion!"

FERN MALLIS, New York Fashion Week legend

I love working in The Business of Fashion because "Fashion is the business of dreams"

JULIE GILHART, Fashion Consultant

I love working in The Business of Fashion because "Cuz get to work with Imran @BoF"

MONIKA BIELSKYTE (SOME/THINGS), Editor and Photographer, SOME/THINGS

I The Business of Fashion...it's "The only blog we read"

NATALIE MASSENET, Digital Entrepeneur, Net-a-Porter Group

I love working in The Business of Fashion for "The love of.it:"

PAULA REED, Style Director, Grazia Magazine

I love working in The Business of Fashion because "I love to rock a look!"

PRABAL GURUNG, Designer

I love The Business of Fashion because "...it makes sense."

RACHEL DODES, Editor, Wall Street Journal

I love working in The Business of Fashion because "Beautiful clothes inspire me to be a better person. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it's true!"

SIMON COLLINS, Dean of Fashion, Parsons The New School

I love working in The Business of Fashion because "Imran is The Business of Fashion and at Parsons New School we love BoF. Happy Valentines day!"

SUSIE BUBBLE, Fashion blogger

I love working in The Business of Fashion because "I don't want to be naked"

TORY BURCH, Designer and CEO

"I love working in The Business of Fashion because it is The Business of Fashion!!"

WARIS AHLUWALIA, Designer

I love working in The Business of Fashion because "..."

PETER SOM, Designer

"I love BoF!"

CANNON HODGE (BERGDORF) AND ERICA DOMESEK (PS I MADE THIS), Online editors

"PS: Be our Valentine BoF!"

Thank you very much to the Hotel Americano and Belvedere vodka for generously supporting our celebration. Next Monday, the #BoFLOVE Party comes to London Fashion Week!