Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, made a high-profile solo appearance at the 2026 Fifteen Percent Pledge Fundraising Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday, February 7. Celebrating Black History Month and economic equity, the event took place at the iconic Paramount Studios backlot.
Adhering to the evening’s “Black Tie in Black Designers” dress code, Meghan opted for a custom look by LA-born luxury label Harbison Studio, founded by Charles Harbison.
The Look: Old Hollywood Glamour
The Duchess embraced a minimalist yet sculptural aesthetic that fashion critics are calling “quiet luxury at its finest.”
- The Gown: A strapless, oyster-colored (pale pink/champagne) column gown featuring a structured sweetheart neckline accentuated by sharp black piping.
- The Accessory: A dramatic, voluminous black velvet-and-silk shawl that draped over her arms and trailed behind her as a soft train.
- The Shoes: She paired the ensemble with her go-to Stuart Weitzman ‘Nudist 100’ strappy sandals in black.
- Jewelry: In a “less is more” approach, she omitted a necklace, choosing instead statement black diamond drop earrings and a bold matching ring on her index finger.
About the Event
The Fifteen Percent Pledge, founded in 2020 by designer Aurora James, is a non-profit that urges major retailers to commit at least 15% of their shelf space to Black-owned businesses.
- The Honoree: The night honored businesswoman and designer Ms. Tina Knowles (mother of Beyoncé and Solange) for her decades of advocacy and commitment to empowering Black creators.
- Star-Studded Guest List: Other notable attendees included Kelly Rowland, Law Roach, Winnie Harlow, Chloe Bailey, and Kimora Lee Simmons.
- The Impact: Founder Aurora James revealed that the pledge has helped place over 1,000 Black-owned brands on major retail shelves and disbursed nearly $1 million in grants in the past year alone.