The 2025 Gold Gala Was a Shimmering Masterclass in Beaded Artistry and Sculptural Draping

An event that needs more fashion focus is the Gold Gala. Known for its extended guest list and extravagant designers, the 2025 Gold Gala was a vault of intricate beading, fine sequencing and draped scarves. Hollywood’s best dressed explored fashion and culture with shimmering heavy lehengas and satin-silk kimonos. 

While the world’s eyes were peeled on the Cannes’ red carpet, we were anticipating the looks on California’s gold carpet. Last week, Mindy Kaling, Shay Mitchell and Megan The Stallion, attended the 4th annual Gold House event. This year’s theme was ‘first light’, an expression of hope through times of darkness and uncertainty, both for one’s self and those before them. The gala is an awards evening, honouring 100 individuals across industries for their contribution to media, lifestyle, fashion, sports, and entertainment. Celebrating the Asian Pacific diaspora, the evening showcased multiple couture pieces, displaying an opulent set of beadwork, detailed hand-embroidery and an expression of tassels. 

According to the designers and stylists, many of their designs held symbolic meaning and cultural significance. Some designers channeled Korea’s natural greenery, while others blended lawn suits with modernity. Here are our top 5 picks from the gala:

1. Mindy Kaling in Anita Dongre

Photo: @mindykaling/@danielseunglee

If paradise looked like a dress, it would be Mindy Kaling in custom Anita Dongre. The actress and producer stunned in a pastel slim-fitting dress, adorned with a pearl necklace and an emerald pendant. It was a beautiful expression of Indian craftsmanship and embroidery sequencing. 

2. Pan Yaung Chel in her Princess-era

Photo: @panyaungchel/Olivia Wong

Put your hands together for the first Myanmar actress on the gold carpet! Representing her culture, Pan Yaung Chel glowed in a traditional, yellow-sun Burmese attire - a layered, embellished skirt with a sheer blouse and a matching scarf. The blouse was corset-like, with large fastenings down the center. What really brought her outfit together were the teardrop earrings and decorative nails.

Advertisement

3. Chriselle Lim in Hallasan Green

Photo: @chrisellelim/@karlaticas/@danielseunglee

Nothing short of strength and grace, Chriselle Lim - the founder of Phlur fragrances, honoured the Korean hanbok in an emerald green slim-hugging dress with a peplum and a floor-length draped scarf. Designed by Andrew Kuon, the hibiscus, crane and butterfly embroidery were exquisite motifs of local artistry, while the deep colour is a tribute to Hallasan, one of Korea's highest mountainous-volcanic peaks. 

4. Tayme Thapthimthong in Maroon and Gold

Photo: @taymett

We have never seen someone shine on the gold carpet, in a Brook Brothers suit, quite like Tayme Thapthimthong. The White Lotus actor looked dazzling in a crisp, maroon tuxedo. Enveloped in a delicate, beaded shawl under his left lapel, Tayme Thapthimthong’s accessories were a homage to his Thai culture, along with the embezzled, gold chain. 

Advertisement

5. Tan France represents Pakistan

Photo: @tanfrance/@danielseunglee

Taking inspiration from the local village men in Pakistan, Tan France mixed tradition with queer. Draped in a beige, detailed shawl, The Queer Eye star wore a dress-shirt underneath it with a gold tassel in the center of his collar. Wrapped in off-white, knee-high boots, Tan France carried this simple outfit with elegance and chic.