Demi! Demna! Doja Cat! Inside the Star-Studded LACMA Art + Film Gala
On Saturday night, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) played a suitably grand backdrop as the biggest names in entertainment, fashion, music, and philanthropy intertwined. Set beneath the glow of Chris Burden s iconic Urban Light installation, the 14th annual Art+Film Gala celebrated and welcomed visionary creatives across the arts and cinema.
Co-chairs Leonardo DiCaprio and LACMA trustee Eva Chow hosted the event to honor filmmaker Ryan Coogler, who has directed, written, and produced hit movies such as Black Panther, Creed, and this year’s Sinners. Artist Mary Corse, best known for her luminous perception paintings, challenging viewers to see the world differently, was also recognized.
As per tradition, Gucci returned as presenting sponsor—which saw a host of names take to the red carpet previewing creations by Demma, with the mononymous designer also joining them for the night. His multi-generation appeal was evident with Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber dressed in their respective off-the-shoulder embroidered gold and cherry red sequin numbers. “Kaia invited me to come with her tonight, and I’ll do anything to spend an evening with my daughter,” Crawford laughed to Vogue, with her supermodel spawn beaming beside her. “We even got ready together and we tried to somewhat coordinate our dresses.” Gerber echoed: “It’s so fun to get ready with my mom, she keeps me on time…she’s the punctual one!” Case in point: Crawford said she was “in and out” of Gucci HQ as the fitting for her dress took just 10 minutes.
“Kaia will have to entertain me because I don’t know a lot of people,” Crawford claimed, with her daughter quickly adding. “She knows everyone—she’s the perfect date, really.” Gerber proudly showed off their matching shoes too: the black leather pumps with striking gold metallic heels from Demna’s La Famiglia collection. “I don’t mind that I’m wearing the same shoes as my mom,” she said. “And they are really high!” Crawford laughed: “It just happened to be what we both picked for our dresses.”
After a cocktail reception, some 600 glamorous guests made their way from the museum’s outdoor courtyard into an enormous dining room, specially constructed for one night only against the backdrop of the almost-complete David Geffen Galleries (the new 110,000 square foot exhibition space is scheduled to open to the public in April 2026.) Fitted out with an autumnal chocolate brown Gucci carpet, the space was transformed with tablescapes laden with porcelain plates and bouquets of deep purple calla lilies. Setting the party mode, throwback tunes such as Depeche Mode’s Enjoy the Silence played from the speakers as guests settled in for a lavish three-course meal of Korean cuisine by Michelin-starred Cote.
Troye Sivan was busy catching up with seatmate Lorde. “Any party that supports the arts is a great cause, and there’s nothing more important and better than that,” said Sivan, who performed with Charli XCX at last year’s gala. “This party has a fun vibe. Everyone is super nice.”
At the center table sat Crawford, who shared a long conversation with Demna s muse Demi Moore, who was resplendent in a spectacular jeweled gown with a regal high neck. Meanwhile, Gerber left her seat next to her mom to reunite with friends and fellow runway regulars, models Paloma Elsesser and Alex Consani. Crouching down on the floor, she placed her arms on the table for an animated chat as they pose for selfies. Nearby, Elle Fanning—in baby blue lace with sheer long sleeves and a fluffy coat draped around her arms—spoke with Demna. “It’s a beautiful color that I don’t wear a lot and I love it,” Fanning told Vogue earlier in the night. “I tried it on and it zipped up like a glove.”
Salma Hayek Pinault was spotted chatting with Tessa Thompson, who was dressed in a metallic gown with a deep open back. “I feel like I’m in liquid silver! It’s exceedingly comfortable and it’s business in the front and party in the back,” she said gleefully. Thompson was in attendance to pay tribute to Coogler, who directed her in Creed alongside Michael B. Jordan. “He’s an extraordinary filmmaker. He’s interested in community and wants to expand our ideas of what’s possible with the Black identity,” she praised. “He’s the most imaginative person and truly a solid, just lovely, caring, empathetic human being.”
DiCaprio was seated next to Chow and Coogler’s wife, Zinzi. When his girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti came by and greeted him with a kiss, the actor smiled at her with an enthusiastic, “Hey baby.” Across the room, Saturday Night Live alum Kristen Wiig lingered near the bar enjoying a cocktail with Hannah Einbinder from Hacks. Cynthia Erivo was also in attendance, linking up with Wicked: For Good director Jon M. Chu. He shared with Vogue that E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was the movie that inspired him to become a filmmaker. “I remember as a kid, it was the first movie I saw with my brother and sisters. When that spaceship takes off in the end with John Williams s score, I never forgot that feeling—like I was lifted off to another planet. [It inspired] the Defying Gravity scene in Wicked. I wanted to create that feeling of wonder and awe again for every kid, every teenager, and grownup when they see Elphaba in the air. She takes off and you become breathless.”
Angela Bassett chose a vivid chartreuse fringed frock for the occasion. “I’m having so much fun wearing this dress,” Bassett said of her Gucci gown as she shimmied. “I love it—it’s a work of art in itself.” Bassett shared that the 1975 film Mahogany, starring Diana Ross, is always on her fashion moodboard when it comes to getting red carpet ready. “I remember Diana wore the most glamorous looks that reflected her character s journey from a fashion student to a world-renowned designer, and I wanted to dress like her. She had a one-shoulder purple dress with a fur muff and turban that was absolutely incredible.”
Later in the evening, Bassett took to the stage to present Coogler with his award. “I don’t understand it, I feel like I’m just getting started, but thanks for thinking of me. It means a lot,” the filmmaker said, thanking his mother, wife, brother, and mentors including Sylvester Stallone, Disney s Bob Iger, and the late Robert Redford. It was in 2013 at Sundance Film Festival that Coogler got his big break when his movie Fruitvale Station debuted there. “At the peak of Robert s success, he thought it was important to find a way to give back and support the arts. We need that now more than ever,” Coogler said.