Bianca Bustamante is slaying on and off the track. Fresh from her first podium win with McLaren ART Grand Prix, the 19-year-old turned heads with her first appearance at the third annual Gold Gala last May 11, held at the historic Music Center in Los Angeles, California.
Bianca Bustamante wore a baby blue gown from the Spring 2023 collection crafted by renowned Filipina designer, Monique Lhuillier, who has also worked with other celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Sarah Hyland. Complementing the gown were sleek black heels from Italian shoe brand Ricagno and jewelry from the luxury brand Gabriel & Co. New York. Makeup artist Nova Kaplan and visionary hairstylist Rikki Gash collaborated to make Bustamante radiate on the gold carpet.
Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Gold House
Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Gold House
Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Gold House
Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Gold House
The iconic Gold Gala stands as the largest and most highly anticipated Asian Pacific gathering throughout the United States, attracting industry leaders, celebrities, artists, and athletes from all over the globe. It serves as a celebration of the A100, the most prestigious and definitive Asian Pacific award in the country, and commemorates the vibrant AAPI Heritage Month, observed throughout May.
This year’s Gala theme was Gold New World, which imagines a tomorrow for all, built by all. While Bianca Bustamante wasn’t a recipient of the A100 award, she represents the growing fascination around motorsport in Asia, particularly in the Philippines, where she is the most recognizable local talent today.
“It was my first time attending a major red carpet event and it was so much more than I’d ever imagined,” said Bustamante. “The Gold Gala was filled with so many influential people whom I have looked up to while growing up, which was unbelievable.”
“Tonight made me value the importance of Asian representation even more than I already do, and meeting so many people who have changed how society views Asian cultures was truly amazing. It was such a great experience and the event inspires me to aim at influencing the next generation in a positive way.”
