Aurora James, the fashion designer behind Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's famous 'Tax the Rich' Met Gala dress, has been sued over allegedly unpaid costs from a major Los Angeles fundraising gala.
Creative agency The Gathery is suing James, her non-profit Fifteen Percent Pledge and its fiscal sponsor, Philanthropic Ventures Foundation. The lawsuit seeks at least £818,000 ($1.08 million), including allegedly unpaid costs, interest, legal fees and other claimed damages. The defendants have not admitted liability, and the allegations have not been established by a court.
Why Is Aurora James Being Sued?
The dispute centres on the 2026 Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala, held at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on 7 February. The Gathery says it provided creative, planning and production work for the event but was not fully paid. The agency had also worked on the organisation's 2024 and 2025 galas.
Court documents reviewed by The Business of Fashion say the original agreement, dated 6 September 2025, called for Fifteen Percent Pledge to pay The Gathery roughly £1.16 million ($1.53 million). The payments were due in 11 instalments between October 2025 and March 2026. Later changes added more work and pushed the total cost to about £1.31 million ($1.73 million).
The Gathery claims £587,600 ($777,870) in principle remains unpaid. Its lawsuit seeks at least £818,200 ($1.08 million) when interest, legal fees and other claimed damages are included. Those figures are allegations in an ongoing civil case and have not been established by a court ruling.
What Does the Lawsuit Claim About?
According to the complaint, payment problems began before the gala. The Gathery alleges that on 27 January, Fifteen Percent Pledge's accountant told the agency that the organisation did not have enough money to cover overdue bills. The conversation also raised concerns about whether future payments could be made.
Three days before the event, James electronically signed an amendment to the agreement on behalf of Fifteen Percent Pledge. According to the court filing, the amendment recognised that the organisation was in 'material breach' after six missed payments and one payment that had not been made in full between December and February. The Gathery alleges it continued providing services despite those payment problems.
The lawsuit names James, Fifteen Percent Pledge and Philanthropic Ventures Foundation as defendants, with James individually named in a fraud claim. The complaint also includes breach-of-contract allegations, but all of the claims remain allegations while the case continues. No court finding cited in current reporting has established that James or the other defendants committed fraud or otherwise owe the damages being sought.
Aurora James' Response
James has publicly linked the organisation's financial difficulties to a wider pullback in diversity, equity and inclusion funding.
After news of the lawsuit emerged, James wrote on Instagram Stories that DEI had been 'largely defunded', including Fifteen Percent Pledge. She also said most of the organisation's staff had been laid off in February.
In court filings, James and Fifteen Percent Pledge have made no admission of liability. Philanthropic Ventures Foundation filed a motion to dismiss in August, which The Gathery opposed, while the wider dispute remains unresolved.
Inside the Los Angeles Gala
The event at the centre of the lawsuit was held at Paramount Studios and celebrated Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. CNN anchor Abby Phillip hosted the evening, while Tina Knowles received an honour recognising her support for Black communities and creators. The gala was part of the Fifteen Percent Pledge's wider 15th Street Block Party Weekend.
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, was among the high-profile guests at the event. Kelly Rowland, Winnie Harlow, Chloe Bailey, Law Roach and other figures from fashion and entertainment also attended. Guests followed the gala's 'Black tie, Black designer' dress code.
The night also included financial support for Black-owned businesses. Sephora presented a £75,600 ($100,000) grant to Denise Vasi's MAED Beauty, while the gala highlighted the Fifteen Percent Pledge's work with Black entrepreneurs. James founded the organisation in 2020.
What Happens Next?
The lawsuit was filed in New York County Supreme Court in July and remains an active civil dispute. The Gathery is seeking more than £756,000 ($1 million) in total damages, but that does not mean a court has determined that the money is legally owed.
The Gathery's own website lists Fifteen Percent Pledge among its clients and features its work for the organisation. The agency says it provides services including event production, design, marketing and entertainment planning, and its relationship with the non-profit included previous galas.
For James, the lawsuit puts fresh attention on the finances behind an organisation created to increase economic opportunities for Black-owned businesses. The key figures, including the alleged £587,600 ($777,870) unpaid balance, remain claims made by The Gathery rather than proven debts. The case will determine whether the defendants are liable for any of The Gathery's claims and what damages, if any, may be awarded.
