On May 9, the 2026 Gold Gala once again transformed Los Angeles into a dazzling celebration of Asian and Pacific excellence. This highly anticipated cultural event brought together a constellation of talent, including actors, musicians, athletes, creators, and influential industry leaders. The iconic gold carpet served as a runway for a breathtaking display of fashion, with attendees embracing a spectrum of styles ranging from haute couture and sharp tailoring to intricate heritage-inspired details and dramatic silhouettes. This year’s guests, whether opting for timeless glamour or daring fashion statements, arrived with the clear intention of making a memorable impact. The event, organized by Gold House, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Asian and Pacific Islanders, aims to foster a more inclusive and equitable future for the AANHPI community in entertainment and beyond.
A Night of Celebration and Recognition
The Gold Gala, now a staple in the cultural calendar, serves as a premier platform to honor and uplift Asian and Pacific Islander creatives and leaders. Established to address the underrepresentation and systemic inequities faced by these communities, the gala has grown into a significant event, attracting global attention and providing crucial networking opportunities. This year’s gathering at the Music Center in Los Angeles underscored the growing influence and visibility of AANHPI individuals across various industries. The "gold carpet" itself is a symbolic nod to the wealth of talent and cultural richness that the AANHPI community brings to the global stage.
Fashion Highlights: A Spectrum of Style
The sartorial choices on display at the 2026 Gold Gala were as diverse and vibrant as the community it celebrated. Each attendee presented a unique vision, weaving personal style with nods to cultural heritage and contemporary fashion trends.
Supriya Ganesh: A Symphony of Tradition and Pop Art
Actress Supriya Ganesh, widely recognized for her compelling performance as Dr. Mohan in the acclaimed HBO Max series The Pitt, made a striking entrance in a Naeem Khan creation. Shifting from her on-screen medical attire, Ganesh graced the gold carpet in a strapless gown that masterfully blended ethereal tulle with earthy raffia. This choice was a deliberate homage to traditional Indian raffia craftsmanship, infusing the gown with a tactile richness. The design further incorporated vibrant poppy flower motifs that cascally cascaded down the skirt, a clear artistic influence drawn from the iconic works of Andy Warhol. To complement the dress’s airy, voluminous silhouette, Ganesh accessorized with delicate pieces from Shaneli jewelry and elegant Alevi heels, creating a cohesive and artistic ensemble.
Anthony Keyvan: Modern Minimalism with a Classic Edge
Actor Anthony Keyvan, known for his role in the popular series XO Kitty, reunited with fellow cast members on the gold carpet. Under the expert styling of Annie Easton and Nora Foley, Keyvan presented a look characterized by sophisticated restraint. He donned a textured wrap blazer paired with tailored trousers, a combination that exuded understated elegance. His hair was meticulously gelled back, and his makeup was kept clean and luminous, harmonizing perfectly with the minimalist yet classic attire. The grooming team, led by Colleen Dominique, credited a selection of high-quality products from Caldera Lab, Armani Beauty, and Leonor Greyl Paris for achieving the polished finish, emphasizing the importance of meticulous detail in a standout look.
Eileen Gu: Princess-Inspired Grace in Confectionery Pink
Olympic Gold Medalist Eileen Gu captivated onlookers in a breathtaking gown by Andrew Kwon. The dress, rendered in a soft, confectionery pink hue, featured multiple layers of delicate tulle that created a skirt with a light, feminine, and distinctly princess-like A-line silhouette. The innovative design incorporated shorter layers at the front, a detail that not only added a unique visual element but also artfully elongated Gu’s already statuesque figure. The overall effect was one of ethereal beauty and youthful elegance, perfectly suited for the celebratory atmosphere of the gala.
Anna Cathcart: Bold Contrast with Romantic Flair
Anna Cathcart, another star from XO Kitty, made a memorable appearance in a figure-hugging, strapless black gown by Bach Mai. The design presented a striking juxtaposition of classic black with a dramatic ruffled peplum in a soft blush pink, flaring out at her hips. This romantic detailing added a touch of playful femininity to the sophisticated silhouette. Cathcart’s hair was styled in soft, cascading curls by Terra Rose Puncerelli, while makeup artist Kendal Fedail opted for a youthful and radiant look. Rosy cheeks, a glossy pink lip, and a subtle cat-eye liner accentuated Cathcart’s features, harmonizing beautifully with the gown’s romantic aesthetic.
Manny Jacinto: Timeless Dapper in Neutral Tones
Manny Jacinto exuded classic charm as he walked the gold carpet in a sophisticated ensemble. He wore a cream-colored NB44 suit jacket by Nicolas Bijan, paired with impeccably tailored black dress pants. The styling, a collaborative effort by Ilaria Urbinati, Megan Lackey, Jina Dusara, and Mia Faigus, included a sharp black bow tie and a distinguished Jaeger-LeCoultre watch, which accentuated his refined features and dark hair. Jacinto shared his thoughts on the significance of the gala, noting in an interview with Vogue that beyond celebrating AANHPI excellence, the event provides a valuable opportunity to reconnect with industry peers, describing the experience as "very uplifting and inspiring and always really fun."
Liza Soberano: Architectural Elegance and Heritage Fusion
Filipino actress Liza Soberano presented a truly unique and artistic statement in a custom gown by Phan Huy from his Fall Winter 2025/2026 Collection. The dress featured a delicate beige organza base, serving as a canvas for intricately embroidered bamboo fans adorning the bust, waist, hips, and cascading down the train. The ribbed structures integrated into the skirt’s design, inspired by the ribs of a bamboo fan, were expertly crafted using traditional boning techniques, creating a masterful fusion of contemporary fashion and rich heritage. This innovative approach highlighted Soberano’s commitment to celebrating her cultural roots through high fashion.
no na: Modern Heritage through Indonesian Textiles
The four-member Indonesian girl group no na made a powerful statement with their coordinated yet distinct ensembles, each thoughtfully incorporating wastra nusantara, traditional Indonesian textiles. This deliberate choice underscored a theme of modern heritage. Vocalist and rapper Esther Geraldine wore a gold tube top paired with a sogan batik fabric artfully tied at the waist, accessorized with an antique golden arm cuff. Shazfa Adesya showcased a contemporary edge with a sequined sheer corseted gown, complemented by a woven tapis lampung draped elegantly over her right shoulder. Christy Gardena sported an architectural top, evoking a futuristic breastplate, alongside a songket shawl and her hair pulled back in a sleek modern bun. Baila Fauri opted for a shimmering nude gown adorned with a luxurious red Palembang songket, completing their cohesive and culturally resonant appearance.
EJAE: A Couture Tribute to Korean Lacquerware
GRAMMY and Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter EJAE made her Gold Gala debut in a custom creation by LEJE. The pale blue gown featured a flattering basque waist that flowed into a structural and voluminous floor-length skirt. A closer inspection revealed exquisite mosaic peony designs meticulously crafted from over 1,000 hand-cut mother-of-pearl pieces. Inspired by traditional Korean lacquerware (najeonchilgi), the dress was a profound celebration of EJAE’s Korean heritage expressed through the medium of haute couture. She complemented the gown’s mother-of-pearl accents with pearl earrings and a sleek high ponytail finished with two long braids, creating a harmonious and elegant look.
Maia Kealoha: Weaving Polynesian Heritage into Fashion
Actress Maia Kealoha, celebrated for her role as Lilo in the 2025 live-action Lilo & Stitch film, attended her inaugural Gold Gala in a stunning gown by Kini Zamora. The dress uniquely incorporated Lauhala, a traditional Polynesian weaving style, to construct the bodice. Kealoha explained that Lauhala, often symbolizing unity and family heritage, was a fitting choice for the Gold Gala, an event dedicated to uniting AANHPI leaders for community building. She wore her hair in a high ponytail to showcase her face and the halter neckline, styled by Tanya Alian. Dangling pink orchid earrings completed her ensemble, a perfect celebration of her heritage and her achievement as the youngest native Hawaiian actress to star in a film grossing over $1 billion.
H.E.R.: A Bold Bloom of Crimson Petals
Singer-songwriter H.E.R. commanded attention in a striking gown from Phan Huy’s latest couture collection. The petal-textured gown, featuring a nude tulle base, was adorned with thousands of gilded crimson chiffon leaf embellishments. These meticulously placed leaves created a captivating blooming effect around the bust and hips, imbuing the ensemble with an illusion of movement and texture that mirrored the boldness found in H.E.R.’s music. The design was a powerful visual statement, blending artistry with a sense of untamed beauty.
Avan Jogia and Halsey: A Tale of Contrasting Elegance
Actor Avan Jogia and singer-songwriter Halsey presented a captivating duo, both dressed in creations by Rahul Mishra. Jogia opted for a richly embroidered black "Himadri" Sherwani jacket, layered with statement necklaces. While his color palette leaned towards sleek formality, the intricate beaded embroidery added a unique textural dimension to his look. Halsey, in contrast, wore the archival "Serpent" gathered gown from Mishra’s 2024 Spring Couture collection. The plunging neckline and flowing fabrics beautifully accentuated Halsey’s features, drawing attention to her braided updo and the striking green tones of her heavily beaded choker and Indian-inspired earrings. Halsey’s makeup, characterized by a luminous glow and dark-lined lips, included a bold stroke of green eyeliner on the lower waterline, artfully tying together the green accents with her overall golden ensemble.
Eugene Lee Yang: Androgynous Allure and Floral Symbolism
Eugene Lee Yang, co-founder of The Try Guys, filmmaker, and prominent LGBTQIA+ activist, embraced an androgynous aesthetic at the 2026 Gold Gala. He wore a black strapless corset by QUEERA paired with wide-leg pants, topped with a dramatic, rose-covered draping coat by The Mayor Official. The all-black ensemble, with its flowing materials, created an intriguing ambiguity between pants and a skirt, challenging conventional fashion norms. Continuing the gala’s theme of cultural celebration, Yang also donned an elaborate lotus headpiece, featuring a golden lotus flower surrounded by artistically shaped lotus leaves, symbolizing beauty and enlightenment.
Esther Yu: A Dazzling Display of Tang Dynasty Embroidery
Chinese star Esther Yu embraced the "gold" theme with unparalleled extravagance. She wore a strapless gown from Laurence Xu’s Fall 2013 couture collection, which was intricately embroidered using the traditional Panjin technique. This Tang Dynasty-originating 3-D embroidery method involves laying and couching gold or silver wire to form intricate patterns and symbols. A dramatic black tulle and feathered train trailed behind the dress, evoking the majestic tail of a phoenix. Yu accessorized with a golden hair ornament on her left side, balanced by a single triangular earring on her right, a deliberate choice for interviews. Yu also shared her excitement about her upcoming C-drama, Yun Chu Ling, a historical drama promising themes of betrayal, revenge, and destiny.
The Broader Impact of the Gold Gala
The 2026 Gold Gala not only showcased exceptional talent and fashion but also reinforced Gold House’s ongoing mission to champion Asian and Pacific Islander representation and leadership. Events like these are crucial for shifting narratives, providing visibility, and fostering a sense of community and pride among AANHPI individuals. By celebrating achievements across entertainment, sports, and other creative industries, the gala contributes to a more equitable landscape where diverse voices are amplified and valued. The success of this year’s event signals a continued momentum for the AANHPI community, promising even greater influence and recognition in the years to come. The fashion, while a prominent visual element, serves as a powerful manifestation of the cultural richness and creative innovation that the AANHPI community brings to the global stage.