The annual LACMA Art+Film Gala is more than just a fundraiser—it’s where the worlds of art, film, and Hollywood merge seamlessly. This year, the event celebrated acclaimed director Baz Luhrmann and artist Simone Leigh, attracting stars like Charli XCX, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kim Kardashian, and Blake Lively.
On Saturday evening, while Brat Summer vibes lingered in the air, Charli XCX stood outside the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), surrounded by bodyguards. She wore a bold red Gucci leather coat and matching bra as actress Chloë Sevigny took the stage and enthusiastically introduced her: “Make some noise for Charli XCX!” Charli strutted onto the stage, cheered on by friends Emily Ratajkowski, Cara Delevingne, and Kaia Gerber—“Yaaaaas, girl!” Gerber called out. The pop star launched into her hit “360,” while Gucci’s creative director Sabato De Sarno captured the moment on his phone, singing along beside artist Alex Israel. Charli’s summer tourmate, Troye Sivan, made a surprise appearance, joining her to perform their remix of “Talk Talk” to the crowd’s delight.
This wasn’t a typical stop on Charli’s Sweat tour. It was the 13th annual LACMA Art+Film Gala, attended by Hollywood powerhouses like Disney CEO Bob Iger (seated next to Charli during dinner), Netflix’s Ted Sarandos, and Laurene Powell Jobs. Also present were Francois Henri-Pinault, whose Artemis group owns Gucci’s parent company Kering, and CAA. Notable artists and personalities like Cathy Opie and Ricky Martin mingled alongside David Geffen, who contributed $150 million to fund LACMA’s new Peter Zumthor-designed building. LACMA’s director, Michael Govan, even confessed he’s a Charli XCX fan, saying he has her music on multiple playlists.
While the gala serves as a fundraiser, raising an impressive $6.5 million this year—a record for the institution—it has evolved into a significant cultural event. Few museum galas achieve the same level of pop-culture relevance, creating a media frenzy across social media and tabloids. With Gucci as the event’s lead sponsor, De Sarno used the night to debut looks from his new Gucci Notte line, effectively turning the gala into a high-fashion runway show against the iconic backdrop of Chris Burden’s “Urban Light” installation. The LACMA Gala is more than just another charity event; it draws big names like Blake Lively and Kim Kardashian, adding to its unique allure.
With LACMA’s $750 million new building set to open in April 2025, the gala also served as a prelude to the museum’s next chapter. Built over nearly a decade, this new space on Wilshire Boulevard marks a significant milestone for one of Los Angeles’s most treasured cultural institutions.
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