Save this story Save Story Save this story The night was young. Very young, as I cruised across Los Angeles to this year’s LACMA Art + Film Gala. I decided to arrive before the usual red-carpet mayhem starts, and because I had gotten ready several hours too early, I was starting to entertain the idea of having a quick nap in my glam and gown. I was wearing a 1930s purple satin bias-cut dress that I won at an auction for considerably less than it was worth. Such a purchase can do wonders for one’s self-esteem: I felt like a million bucks.
This year marked the 15th anniversary of the gala, which honors artists and filmmakers while raising funds to support the museum’s programming. The evening, sponsored by Gucci and co-chaired by Eva Chow and Leonardo DiCaprio, would celebrate Latvian artist Vija Celmins and filmmaker Denis Villeneuve. The art world and Hollywood are not always natural bedfellows, although they have certainly become more comfortable with one another over the years. I was interested to see how the two would behave over dinner.
I arrived fashionably early, both because I am extremely punctual and partly because I have developed an aversion to the chaos that accompanies certain Los Angeles events. Anya Taylor-Joy was making her way towards the photographers in an archival Pierre Cardin sculptural gown and jacket looking like a beautiful futuristic loofah. I spotted the sparkle of her Tiffany & Co. Schlumberger Stars and Moons necklace before I even registered who was wearing it. The necklace was doing its own job of announcing her.
As she approached the carpet, which was lined with photographers and press, I was surprised that nobody was yelling. The atmosphere was remarkably calm, a far cry from some of the movie premiere assignments I’ve attended, where you can barely hear yourself think over the screaming of fans and photographers. Behind the carpet was the backdrop that has become something of a celebrity in its own right: Chris Burden’s Urban Light , the monumental installation made up of more than 200 restored cast-iron antique street lamps. It is a Los Angeles sight that never loses its magic.
In the distance, I heard a woman having a meltdown with security. “Am I not famous enough?” she yelled.
I never established what the issue was. Perhaps she had been denied access to the carpet, or she simply wanted to take a photograph and was being told no. Either way, she was making a scene in sparkles. I hurried past the publicists who were watching with mild horror. “Never a dull moment,” I said. One or two laughed as I continued inside.
During cocktail hour, I stopped to say hello to Ed Ruscha, whom I had met a few nights earlier at a birthday party. He would be seated at Larry Gagosian’s table that evening. I made my way around the room, passing Julia Garner, who is invariably one of the nicest people in it. She was wearing Loewe with sculptural gold earrings. She always asks me if I’m an actress, which makes me blush slightly, despite the fact that I have never once given her reason to believe that I am. Nearby, Iris Law was wearing a beautiful pearlescent tiled dress by a brand she told me was called Amaramara. Up close, the dress looked almost as though it had been constructed from mother-of-pearl shells. She explained that it was lined in leather, making it surprisingly soft against the skin.
I walked by a cluster of familiar faces, getting stepped on a few times along the way—a long train is lovely in theory, but less so in a crowded room full of people who have somewhere to be. I spent much of the evening trying to protect my almost 100-year-old archival satin from people’s shoes. Artist Alex Israel told me he was particularly excited to see Rosé perform later that evening. I spotted Jonas Wood in the distance, along with Lauren Halsey, who had recently created the most extraordinary art direction and stage design for Erykah Badu at the Hollywood Bowl. I had been lucky enough to see it, and Halsey had projected her artwork across the venue, making the entire experience feel as though you had stepped directly into her world.
I also ran into Jordan Firstman, whose film Club Kid had just come out. We heard about a rather unexpected screening, which included Oprah. Apparently, she wasn’t entirely familiar with the film’s more specialized vocabulary and required a brief introduction to gay culture, including what a popper was and what people meant by G. (I would have loved to be there for that.)
Photo: Hunter Abrams Meanwhile, waiters were circulating with bite-sized beef tenderloin and miso black cod. I attempted to be a fly on the wall and observe who was talking to whom. Many of the faces I didn’t recognize were presumably museum patrons. I always find it interesting trying to distinguish between those who are famous and those who are simply very rich. At a gala like this, the two categories overlap quite considerably.
Eventually, bells rang and we were ushered across the museum towards the dining room. On the way, I spotted Jennifer Tilly, whom I am a big fan of. I complimented her Gucci ensemble and told her I admired her JAR jewelry collection. She immediately asked if I wanted a selfie. It turned out to be one of my favorite photographs of the night.
Jennifer told me that her dress had been five sizes too large the evening before, but that the Gucci elves had worked their magic and made it fit just right. She was wearing a Jean Schlumberger Hedges and Flowers necklace for Tiffany & Co., with matching earrings from the 1960s. It is one of his most iconic designs, and she lit up as I asked her about it. I found myself thinking that I would happily abandon the rest of the evening to order a martini with her and gossip. She was delightful.
I also introduced myself to another Real Housewife I have a soft spot for, Kathy Hilton, who told me she was wearing vintage Gucci. The bow at her collar looked Edwardian-inspired.
The dining room was arranged with extraordinarily long tables with crisp white tablecloths and florals, giving the feeling of a very glamorous wedding. I was seated with Devon Lee Carlson, who was wearing a sheer Gucci number. Model Alex Consani came over to share some tea with us, and we attempted to make our way to the bar before being gently redirected. The speeches were about to begin, apparently, and the time for wandering was over.
Photo: Hunter Abrams The museum’s director introduced Eva Chow, who announced that this would be her final year helping to put on the gala. After years of bringing together the art and film communities, it was a rather poignant moment.
At a neighboring Gucci table sat François-Henri Pinault and his wife, Salma Hayek Pinault, in a sequin red gown by Gucci. Her waist was so dramatically cinched that she looked as though she had stepped straight out of an eighteenth-century portrait. Further along were Gucci creative director Demna, Kim Kardashian in a Bordeaux-hued sparkling gown, and Viola Davis, who was glowing. I also spotted 2hollis, who confessed that he didn’t know anyone there, so Devon and I immediately offered to adopt him for the evening.
There was also an impressive coterie of Victoria’s Secret Angels, including Elsa Hosk, Candice Swanepoel, and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. Candice wore a Gucci gown held together by what appeared to be several strategically placed crystal strings in front of her crotch. Rosie had opted for a rather more revealing arrangement including a prominent display of her derrière with the Gucci logo doing some heavy lifting when it came to concealing her modesty. Later, I found several of the models outside smoking. Even angels need a cigarette.
Photo: Hunter Abrams In the bathroom, a woman in sky-high heels and a very tight Gucci gown was applying her lipstick. As she turned to leave, her clutch slipped from her hands and burst open on the floor. Its contents scattered in every direction, rolling underneath the neighboring stalls. Lipstick, a wallet, what I believe was a fake nail, and some medication. I admired her composure as she collected everything, composed her dignity, and returned to the party. The show must go on.
Back in the dining room, I said hello to my friend Noor Alfallah and Al Pacino. They were seated with Millicent Wilner, the senior director of Gagosian’s London gallery, who is one of my favorite people to run into every few months. On my way back to my seat, I passed Parker Posey, dressed in the most beautiful kaftan dripping in crystals, and I told her she looked gorgeous. By this point, I had begun mentally assembling my own fantasy dinner party featuring Jennifer Tilly, Parker Posey, and Kathy Hilton.
Eventually, the lights dimmed and the room fell quiet. A short film spotlighted Vija Celmins and her work. Based in New York, the artist spoke about her enduring fascination with the California coastline, the ocean, and the moon. She also mentioned that she had attended UCLA and, amusingly, had taken nothing from the experience. The room laughed at the accomplished artist delivering such an assessment, before she took the stage to accept the prestigious honor.
Next came Nicole Kidman, wearing a Chanel runway gown that immediately brought to mind Edgar Degas’s Little Dancer Aged Fourteen (1881). She spoke about Denis Villeneuve, admitting that while she has never actually appeared in any of his films, she’s an enormous admirer of his. “A few simple words and an image can stay with you long after the screen goes black,” she said.
Photo: Hunter Abrams We watched a montage of Villeneuve’s films, including Prisoners , Sicario , Blade Runner 2049 , Arrival , Incendies and, of course, Dune . As someone who considers Sicario one of her all-time favorite films, I was particularly pleased to be there for this one.
When Villeneuve took the stage, he spoke about the importance of art in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Images, he explained, had always spoken to him more profoundly than words. He recalled a visit to LACMA where the work of James Turrell served as inspiration for his film Arrival . Looking back, it is easy to see the connection: The enormous, mysterious spacecraft in the film has something of the quality of a Turrell light installation.
“Some artists use a paintbrush, I use a film crew,” he said.
It was a wonderful line, but his larger point was more affecting. He spoke about the importance of continuing to make art, particularly now, and about wanting to pass that belief on to his children.
Seated nearby were Timothée Chalamet and members of the casts of his films. I found myself looking around the room and thinking about the extraordinary concentration of talent gathered in one place. Vija Celmins, Denis Villeneuve, Al Pacino, Ed Ruscha: These are people who have spent their lives taking creative risks and changing the way we see things. There was something rather moving about sitting among them. For all the sequins, diamonds, and elaborate gowns, this was ultimately an evening celebrating people who had devoted themselves to making something that didn’t exist before.
After dinner, we were invited back outside for Rosé’s performance. Paris Hilton introduced her with an enthusiastic declaration of “That’s hot!” followed by “Sliving,” which felt like an appropriate transition from the intellectual rigors of the evening into the after-dark revelry. As we made our way outside, servers circulated with cotton candy, meringues, and miniature metal cups of caramel corn.
Devon and I made our way across Urban Light one last time, taking photographs beneath the lamps. She taught me how to use Burst mode on my phone, which was the most useful thing I learned all evening.
There were whispers of an after-party at Eva Chow’s house. I briefly considered going, then weighed the prospect against the fact that I was tired, had already spent several hours in a corseted state of social alertness, and was supposed to go home and write this very piece. Thankfully I have grown out of the kind of FOMO that comes with knowing a party is happening somewhere in Los Angeles without you. I headed home to crawl in bed with my cat.
On the drive back, I found myself thinking about Villeneuve’s speech. It is easy to get swept up in the spectacle of an evening like this. The clothes, the jewelry, the famous faces, the endless choreography of who is sitting with whom. But every so often, you’re reminded why these people are interesting in the first place.
After his speech, I will make it a point to see the final installment of Dune next month, and I can’t wait to see what he creates next. For now, I had a purple satin dress to hang up, photographs to look through, and a story to write. I fell asleep thinking about art, ambition, and all the things I might make if I were brave enough. All in due time.
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 1/50 Stephanie Suganami, Kim Kardashian
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 2/50 Nicole Kidman, Denis Villeneuve
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 3/50 François-Henri Pinault, Salma Hayek Pinault
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 4/50 Julius Tennon, Viola Davis
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 5/50 Vija Celmins, Michael Govan
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Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 7/50 Julia Garner, Charlie Walker
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 8/50 Kylie Jenner
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 9/50 Vivian Benitez, Rufus Sewell
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 10/50 Mary Martin
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 11/50 Ashley Park
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 12/50 Sofia Carson
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 13/50 Jason Wu
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Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 15/50 Emily Ratajkowski, Irina Shayk
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 16/50 Lindsey Vonn
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 17/50 Dan Reynolds
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 18/50 Paris Hilton, Carter Reum
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 19/50 Chris Perfetti, Quinta Brunson
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 20/50 Alix Earle
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 21/50 Evan Ross
It’s a Girl! Charles and Alexandra Leclerc Share the First Photo of Their Baby The Deeper Meaning Behind Kate Middleton’s Remembrance Day Earrings This Is What Winter 2026 Has in Store for Every Star Sign, According to an Astrologer Can You Manifest a Husband? Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 22/50 Andrew Garfield
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 23/50 Benito Skinner
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 24/50 Alia Shawkat
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 25/50 Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 26/50 Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 27/50 Tyriq Withers
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 28/50 Homer Gere, Jordan Barrett
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 29/50 Devon Lee Carlson
This Is What Winter 2026 Has in Store for Every Star Sign, According to an Astrologer The Deeper Meaning Behind Kate Middleton’s Remembrance Day Earrings Can You Manifest a Husband? It’s a Girl! Charles and Alexandra Leclerc Share the First Photo of Their Baby Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 30/50 Morgan Stewart
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 31/50 Charles Porch, Aurora James, Robert Denning
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 32/50 Kelly Wearstler
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 33/50 Jordyn Woods
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 34/50 Loik Gomez, Nadia Lee Cohen, Alton Mason
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 35/50 Antwaun Sargent
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 36/50 Sarah Paulson
Expand Photo: Hunter Abrams 37/50 Stella Maxwell, Elsa Hosk
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Expand Jason Sean Weiss/BFA.com 39/50 Odessa A’zion
Expand Jason Sean Weiss/BFA.com 40/50 Amber Valletta
Expand Zach Hilty/BFA.com 41/50 Soo Joo Park
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Expand Zach Hilty/BFA.com 44/50 Latham Thomas, Mickalene Thomas
Expand Neil Rasmus/BFA.com 45/50 Rosé, Eva Chow
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Expand Neil Rasmus/BFA.com 47/50 Jerry Bruckheimer, Olivia Munn
Expand Neil Rasmus/BFA.com 48/50 Sarah Paulson, Parker Posey
Expand Neil Rasmus/BFA.com 49/50 Timothée Chalamet
Expand Jason Sean Weiss/BFA.com 50/50 Emily Ratajkowski, Demna, Elsa Hosk
Source: Lifestyle
