Designer Aurora James Faces Lawsuit Over Unpaid Bills from Charity Gala

<p>Aurora James, the designer behind Democratic New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's "Tax the Rich" Met Gala dress, is facing a lawsuit alleging that she failed to pay a small business for organizing her charity gala. The lawsuit, filed by The Gathery Inc., claims that James and her nonprofit, the Fifteen Percent Pledge, left the event planners with an unpaid bill exceeding $1 million after the Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala 2026 held at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles earlier this year.</p><p>According to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital, the gala, which aimed to raise funds for Black business owners, had notable attendees including Meghan Markle and Kimora Lee Simmons. The Gathery alleges that James made two initial deposits towards the total bill of $1.5 million but stopped payments in November 2025.</p><p>The lawsuit seeks at least $1,082,965 in damages, along with interest and additional financial compensation. The complaint states that James directed the project and encouraged The Gathery to continue its work despite payment defaults. It also claims that she approved changes that increased the event's costs while being aware of her nonprofit's inability to pay.</p><p>James founded the Fifteen Percent Pledge in 2020 to promote racial equity by encouraging retailers to allocate 15% of their shelf space to products from Black-owned businesses. The organization describes itself as working towards a more equitable economic future.</p><p>This lawsuit is not the first instance of James allegedly failing to meet financial obligations. Reports from 2021 indicated that her fashion brand, Brother Vellies, had outstanding tax debts and faced multiple legal claims for not paying worker benefits.</p><p>Legal and political experts have pointed out the irony of the situation, as James is known for advocating economic fairness while being accused of stiffing a small business. Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg commented that the allegations could undermine the credibility of movements focused on economic justice.</p><p>Fox News Digital reached out to James’ attorney for comment but did not receive a response.</p>