Fashion Show at the Gold Gala: "It's where you can truly showcase yourself"
At the event, many celebrities dressed in styles representing their cultural heritage or supporting Asian designers.
Actress Karrueche Tran, who has a Vietnamese mother and African American father, wore a beautiful red ao dai with a sheer overlay and headpiece designed by Vietnamese American fashion designer Thai Nguyen. She wrote on Instagram, "I wanted to represent my culture, which is half of who I am, in a big way."
Nymphia Wind, a Taiwanese drag queen who recently won "RuPaul's Drag Race", wore a vibrant dress and cape by Singaporean designer Sheng Cheong. She said her outfit was inspired by club kids in the Forbidden City.
Karan Johar, a Bollywood filmmaker, and Agnez Mo, an Indonesian singer, also participated in the festivities. Johar wore an embellished suit jacket by Rimple and Harpeet, an Indian fashion brand known for handcrafted pieces inspired by ancient arts and vintage textiles. Mo accessorized with golden hair pins and a classic hand fan.
TV personality Jeannie Mai praised the event, also known as the "Asian Pacific Met Gala", for celebrating diversity and inclusiveness. The annual event honors the Gold House's A100 list, a group of 100 Asian Pacific leaders who have significantly impacted culture and society.
Notable attendees included author and TV host Padma Lakshmi, actor Lucy Liu, and the team behind Netflix's Emmy-winning show "Beef".
Joel Kim Booster, a comedian and actor, expressed his excitement about the increased representation at the gala. He said, "When I was growing up, I thought there could only be one of us in the room."
"Now, it's amazing to be in a space where we're all supporting each other," he continued. "It's not what I imagined for myself growing up."
Historically, Asians have struggled for representation and equal opportunities in various industries, particularly in Hollywood. However, the industry has been making progress in recent years.
According to a joint study by Gold House and the USC Annenberg, the number of speaking Asian characters in top box-office films in the US has increased from 3.4% in 2007 to 15.9% in 2022. Moreover, the roles have become more complex and nuanced.
The streaming era has also led to more diverse storytelling opportunities, both on and offscreen. For example, FX's "Shogun" quickly gained popularity for its all-Asian cast and authentic production.
Lakshmi expressed her satisfaction with the recognition of Asian talent and creativity. "The industry has realized that Asian creativity and talent is unique and profitable," she said. "That's what made it so great to see people taking risks and hitting it out of the park."
Although there is still progress to be made, many feel encouraged by the positive changes in the industry. Fashion designer Prabal Gurung, the gala's creative director, said, "It's great to see the Asian diaspora coming together to tell our own stories in our own way. The visibility is exciting, and we still have a long way to go."
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The fashion show at the Gold Gala provided a platform for celebrities to showcase their cultural heritage and support Asian designers, showcasing various styles. For instance, Karrueche Tran wore a Vietnamese-inspired ao dai, while Nymphia Wind donned a vibrant dress by a Singaporean designer inspired by club kids in the Forbidden City.
At the event, many stars like actress Karrueche Tran and Taiwanese drag queen Nymphia Wind emphasized the importance of fashion in representing their cultural backgrounds and pushing boundaries for diversity and representation in the industry.
Source: edition.cnn.com
