Creator of AOC's 'Tax the Rich' Dress Sued for $1 Million in Unpaid Gala Fees

Aurora James, the designer behind Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's 'Tax the Rich' dress worn at the 2021 Met Gala, is being sued for over $1 million in unpaid fees by high-end event planners The Gathery. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, alleges that James and her nonprofit, The 15 Percent Pledge, failed to pay the full amount for a million-dollar gala she hosted.

The Gathery claims that despite making initial payments totaling $1.5 million, James' company stopped paying while insisting the planners continue work on the event. The lawsuit states that James, who is also known as The Velvet Bandit, "personally directed the project and repeatedly induced TGI to continue performing even after payment defaults had begun." She is also accused of approving cost-increasing changes and promising payment without justification.

The gala, held on February 7, honored Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé, and reportedly had guests such as Meghan Markle and Kimora Lee Simmons in attendance. CNN's Abby Phillip hosted the event.

Barry O'Connell, an attorney for The Gathery, expressed disappointment regarding the situation, particularly given The 15 Percent Pledge's stated mission to support Black businesses. He described the situation as "hypocritical."

Ocasio-Cortez's appearance at the 2021 Met Gala in James' "Tax the Rich" dress generated significant attention. The congresswoman stated at the time that the dress was a message about economic inequality and aimed to spark discussion about tax codes. She also noted that New York City officials are often invited to the Met Gala due to their roles in overseeing cultural institutions. The dress was reportedly borrowed from James' luxury brand, Brother Vellies.

Separately, Ocasio-Cortez was asked by a congressional ethics panel to repay costs associated with her Met Gala appearance. A report released in 2025 recommended she pay approximately $3,000 for rental fees related to the dress and accessories, finding that her team had paid less than the fair market value. The committee concluded that while her violations were not found to be knowing and willful, she had received impermissible gifts and bore responsibility for payment delays.