AOC’s ‘Tax the Rich’ Dressmaker Aurora James Owes More than $1 Million for Ritzy Los Angeles Gala

Aurora James departs The Carlyle Hotel prior to attending The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala celebrating the opening of the “Costume Art” exhibition on Monday, May 4, 2026, in New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

The designer who became famous for her “Tax the Rich” message allegedly still hasn’t learned a basic financial lesson: pay your debts.

Aurora James, who outfitted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) in her jaw-dropping 2021 Met Gala gown — a floor-length, ivory white dress with the words “Tax the Rich” emblazoned on the back in a stunning shade of red — allegedly owes more than $1 million for a ritzy gala benefitting her nonprofit, court records show.

James, 42, and her nonprofit the 15 Percent Pledge are facing a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court from high-end event planning company The Gathery, Inc.,  which claims the designer insisted it keep working on her event even after it became clear the group was having trouble paying its bill.

The Feb. 7 gala was hosted by CNN anchor Abby Phillip and featured big names including Meghan Markle, Kimora Lee Simmons and others.

The black tie affair was held at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles and honored Tina Knowles, mother of Beyoncé.

The Gathery claimed in its ongoing July 1 lawsuit that it “performed the extensive creative, strategic, and production services necessary to stage the event, advancing substantial vendor costs and committing significant resources to ensure the 2026 Gala’s success.”

James’ group, which is intended to help support Black-owned businesses, made two initial payments on its initial $1.5 million bill to The Gathery before the money stopped coming, according to the lawsuit.

The designer missed two payments but then “personally directed the project and repeatedly induced TGI to continue performing even after payment defaults had begun,” The Gathery claimed in its legal papers.

“James approved change orders expanding the scope and cost of the event, signed the Feb. 4, 2026, amendment admitting breach, and assured TGI that payment would be forthcoming—all while knowing, or recklessly disregarding, that 15PP lacked the ability to pay,” it

It’s not the first time James has failed to pay her debts.

In 2021 it was revealed she had open tax warrants in New York.

The February event was the third gala The Gathery had worked on for James and her 15 Percent Pledge, but the first time the group failed to pay, said attorney Barry O’Connell, who reps The Gathery.

“The Gathery was always excited about the relationship with 15 Percent Pledge. They were personal donors to the cause,” O’Connell told Mediaite, adding his client is just “a small business trying to survive.”

“There’s a lot of hypocrisy here,” he added.

A lawyer for James could not immediately be reached for comment.

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