The 2026 Gold Gala Illuminates Los Angeles with a Dazzling Showcase of Asian and Pacific Excellence

On May 9, 2026, the City of Angels once again became the epicenter of Asian and Pacific cultural celebration as the 2026 Gold Gala unfolded. This highly anticipated event convened a constellation of talent from the realms of acting, music, athletics, content creation, and industry leadership, all converging to honor and elevate Asian and Pacific Islander excellence. The signature gold carpet, a prelude to the evening’s festivities, proved to be a runway of unparalleled style, with attendees showcasing a breathtaking array of fashion. From the sharp precision of couture tailoring and avant-garde sculptural designs to the intricate beauty of heritage-inspired embellishments and dramatic silhouettes, the guests at this year’s gala made unequivocal statements. Their sartorial choices ranged from embracing timeless glamour to boldly pushing the boundaries of fashion, all demonstrating a readiness to command attention and celebrate their rich cultural identities. EnVi magazine proudly presents its curated selection of the night’s most striking fashion moments, highlighting the individuals who truly embodied the spirit of the event through their impeccable style.

A Night of Stars and Style: The 2026 Gold Gala

The Gold Gala, a flagship event organized by Gold House, has rapidly established itself as a pivotal moment in the cultural calendar, dedicated to celebrating and amplifying the voices and achievements of Asian and Pacific Islanders in the United States and beyond. Founded with the mission to empower Asian and Pacific Islander creatives and leaders, the gala serves not only as a platform for recognition but also as a vital networking and community-building space. This year’s event, held at the prestigious Music Center in Los Angeles, continued this tradition, drawing a diverse and influential crowd. The sheer caliber of attendees underscored the growing impact and visibility of the AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) community across all sectors of entertainment, sports, and business. The gold carpet, in particular, served as a visual testament to this flourishing influence, with each ensemble telling a story of cultural pride, artistic expression, and personal style.

Spotlight on Style: EnVi‘s Best Dressed Picks

The 2026 Gold Gala saw a remarkable display of fashion, with attendees opting for looks that were both personal and profoundly reflective of their heritage and professional achievements. Here are some of the standout ensembles that captured the essence of the night:

Supriya Ganesh: A Vision in Naeem Khan

Actress Supriya Ganesh, widely recognized for her compelling portrayal of Dr. Mohan in the critically acclaimed HBO Max series The Pitt, made a dramatic entrance onto the gold carpet, shedding her medical persona for an evening of high fashion. Ganesh was resplendent in a creation by Naeem Khan, a designer celebrated for his exquisite craftsmanship and ability to infuse traditional artistry with modern sensibilities. The strapless gown was a symphony of textures, featuring layers of ethereal tulle and artisanal raffia, a deliberate and elegant nod to the rich tradition of Indian raffia craft. The design itself was an homage to the iconic pop art of Andy Warhol, with vibrant poppy flower motifs artfully twirling down the skirt, adding a playful yet sophisticated dimension. Complementing the dress’s airy, voluminous silhouette, Ganesh adorned herself with delicate pieces from Shaneli jewelry and stepped out in elegant Alevi heels, completing a look that was both culturally resonant and fashion-forward.

Anthony Keyvan: Classic Sophistication

Actor Anthony Keyvan, a familiar face from the popular series XO, Kitty, graced the gold carpet, reuniting with several of his castmates. His ensemble, meticulously styled by the dynamic duo Annie Easton and Nora Foley, exuded a refined minimalism. Keyvan opted for a textured wrap blazer paired with impeccably tailored trousers. The grooming was equally on point: his hair was slicked back with a polished finish, and his makeup was kept clean and dewy, creating a "glass skin" effect that perfectly harmonized with the classic, understated attire. His groomer, Colleen Dominique, attributed the flawless execution to key products from Caldera Lab for skincare, Armani Beauty for makeup, and Leonor Greyl Paris for haircare, underscoring the importance of a cohesive beauty team in achieving a polished red-carpet look.

Eileen Gu: A Princess in Pink

Olympic Gold Medalist Eileen Gu brought an undeniable radiance to the gold carpet in a breathtaking confectionery pink gown by Andrew Kwon. The gown’s soft, feminine hue and cascading layers of tulle created a silhouette reminiscent of a fairytale princess’s ballgown. The innovative design featured shorter layers at the front, which not only added a unique visual element but also served to artfully elongate Gu’s already statuesque frame, showcasing a masterful blend of elegance and strategic design.

Anna Cathcart: Edgy Romance

Anna Cathcart, another star from XO, Kitty, made a memorable appearance in a striking figure-hugging strapless black gown by Bach Mai. The dress was distinguished by its avant-garde peplum detail, crafted from ruffled blush pink fabric that flared dramatically at her hips, adding a touch of romantic drama to the otherwise sleek silhouette. Her hair, styled in soft, cascading curls by Terra Rose Puncerelli, and her makeup, perfected by Kendal Fedail, complemented the gown beautifully. Fedail opted for a youthful and fresh aesthetic, featuring rosy cheeks, a glossy pink lip, and a subtle cat-eye liner designed to accentuate Cathcart’s round eyes and harmonize with the gown’s feminine accents.

Manny Jacinto: Dapper Elegance

Actor Manny Jacinto exuded refined charm on the gold carpet, dressed in a sophisticated cream-colored NB44 suit jacket from Nicolas Bijan, paired with classic black dress pants. Styled by the esteemed team of Ilaria Urbinati, Megan Lackey, Jina Dusara, and Mia Faigus, Jacinto’s look was completed with a sharp black bow tie and an elegant Jaeger-LeCoultre watch, which enhanced his distinguished features and dark hair. Jacinto shared insights into his participation, noting that while the Gold Gala is a celebration of AANHPI excellence, it also provides a valuable opportunity for him to reconnect with industry peers. He expressed, "It’s very uplifting and inspiring and always really fun," highlighting the event’s dual role as a cultural celebration and a professional reunion.

Liza Soberano: A Fusion of Heritage and High Fashion

Filipino actress Liza Soberano captivated onlookers in a truly unique and structural fan dress from Phan Huy’s Fall Winter 2025/2026 Collection. The gown, crafted from a delicate beige organza base, featured exquisite embroidered bamboo fans as its focal points, strategically placed on the bust, waist, hips, and cascading down the dress’s train. The ribbed structures that adorned the skirt’s length were inspired by the delicate ribs of traditional bamboo fans, brought to life through sophisticated boning techniques, thus creating a masterful fusion of fashion and heritage.

no na: Modern Heritage Ensemble

The four-member Indonesian girl group no na presented a unified yet distinct vision, each member sporting ensembles that thoughtfully incorporated wastra nusantara, traditional Indonesian textiles. This cohesive approach underscored a theme of modern heritage, showcasing the vibrant cultural tapestry of Indonesia. Vocalist and rapper Esther Geraldine wore a gold tube top paired with a sogan batik fabric tied elegantly at the waist and an antique golden arm cuff. Shazfa Adesya’s style leaned into contemporary fashion with a sheer, sequined corseted gown, elegantly draped with a woven tapis Lampung over her right shoulder. Christy Gardena commanded attention in an architectural top, reminiscent of a futuristic breastplate, complemented by a songket shawl and her hair pulled back in a sleek modern bun. Baila Fauri opted for a sparkling nude gown, luxuriously paired with a rich red Palembang songket, demonstrating a harmonious blend of traditional artistry and modern design.

EJAE: Korean Lacquerware Elegance

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 sophisticated basque waist that flowed into a voluminous, structural floor-length skirt. Upon closer inspection, the dress revealed intricate mosaic peony designs, meticulously crafted from over 1,000 delicately cut mother-of-pearl pieces. This design was inspired by traditional Korean lacquerware (Najeon Chilgi), a profound celebration of EJAE’s Korean heritage rendered through the medium of couture. EJAE complemented her ensemble with pearl earrings that mirrored the mother-of-pearl accents on her gown, and her hair was styled in a sleek high ponytail, culminating in two long, elegant braids.

Maia Kealoha: Honoring Polynesian Roots

Actress Maia Kealoha, celebrated for her role as Lilo in the live-action Lilo & Stitch film, attended her inaugural Gold Gala in a stunning gown by Kini Zamora. Kealoha’s ensemble masterfully incorporated Lauhala, a traditional Polynesian weaving technique, to form the bodice of the dress. Emphasizing the symbolic significance of Lauhala, which often represents unity and family heritage, Kealoha stated that the dress was "fitting for the Gold Gala, an event that brings together AANHPI leaders to create a stronger community." Her hair, styled in a high ponytail by hairstylist and makeup artist Tanya Alian, effectively showcased her face and the halter neckline of the gown. Dangling pink orchid earrings completed her look, a poignant tribute to her heritage and a celebration of her achievements as the youngest native Hawaiian actress to star in a film grossing over one billion dollars.

H.E.R.: A Blooming Boldness

Singer-songwriter H.E.R. commanded attention in a breathtaking gown from Phan Huy’s latest couture collection. The petal-textured gown, built on a nude tulle base, was adorned with thousands of individually placed gilded crimson chiffon leaf embellishments. These elements were artfully arranged to create a blooming effect around the bust and hips, lending the ensemble an illusion of movement and texture that powerfully mirrored the boldness and dynamism found in H.E.R.’s music.

Avan Jogia and Halsey: A Harmonious Contrast

Actor Avan Jogia and singer-songwriter Halsey arrived as a striking pair, both adorned in designs by Rahul Mishra. Jogia exuded a sleek, formal aesthetic in an intricately embroidered black ‘Himadri’ Sherwani jacket, layered with several statement necklaces. While his palette was primarily monochromatic, the detailed beaded embroidery added a rich textural dimension to his look. Halsey, in sharp contrast, wore an archival ‘Serpent’ gathered gown from Mishra’s 2024 Spring Couture collection. The plunging neckline and flowing fabrics elegantly accentuated her features, drawing attention to her braided updo and the verdant tones of her heavily beaded choker and Indian-inspired earrings. Halsey’s makeup, characterized by a radiant glow and deep-lined lips, featured a subtle touch of green eyeliner on her lower waterline, artfully tying together the green accents with her overall golden ensemble.

Eugene Lee Yang: Androgynous Artistry

Eugene Lee Yang, co-founder of The Try Guys, filmmaker, and prominent LGBTQIA+ activist, presented a daring androgynous look. He wore a black strapless corset by QUEERA, paired with wide-leg pants and a dramatic, long, rose-adorned coat by The Mayor Official. The all-black ensemble, with its flowing materials, blurred the lines between traditional masculine and feminine silhouettes, leaving observers to contemplate the fluidity of the design. Continuing the gala’s theme of rich symbolism, Yang accessorized with a striking lotus headdress, featuring a golden lotus flower surrounded by artistically shaped lotus leaves, a powerful representation of cultural and personal identity.

Esther Yu: A Golden Phoenix

Chinese star Esther Yu embraced the gala’s namesake with an opulent strapless gown from Laurence Xu’s Fall 2013 couture collection. The gown was meticulously embroidered using the traditional Panjin technique, a 3-D embroidery method originating from the Tang Dynasty, where gold or silver wire is laid and couched to form intricate patterns and symbols. A dramatic black tulle and feathered train trailed behind the dress, evoking the majestic imagery of a phoenix’s tail. Yu further accessorized with a golden hair ornament on her left side, balanced by a single triangular earring on her right, adding an asymmetrical elegance. She shared her excitement about her upcoming C-drama, Yun Chu Ling, a historical drama promising themes of betrayal, revenge, and destiny, hinting at the depth and complexity she brings to her roles.

The Broader Impact of the Gold Gala

The 2026 Gold Gala, beyond its dazzling fashion and star-studded attendance, represents a significant cultural moment. Events like these are crucial in providing visibility and creating a supportive ecosystem for Asian and Pacific Islanders in industries where they have historically been underrepresented or stereotyped. The continued success and growing influence of the Gold Gala underscore a pivotal shift, demonstrating the increasing power and cultural significance of the AANHPI community. The media attention garnered by such events not only celebrates individual achievements but also serves to educate the broader public, fostering greater understanding and appreciation for the diverse contributions of Asian and Pacific Islanders. As the attendees depart, the echoes of their style and the conversations sparked by their presence continue to resonate, fueling a movement towards greater inclusion and authentic representation in the global cultural landscape. The trends observed on the gold carpet – from the embrace of heritage textiles and traditional craftsmanship to bold, modern interpretations of cultural motifs – signal a vibrant future for AANHPI fashion and a testament to the enduring power of cultural pride.