Sofía Vergara Wears Optical Illusion Gown to LACMA

The actress appeared at the LACMA Art+Film Gala in a custom black lace design by Celia Kritharioti.

Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Fashion

Gouache-painted editorial illustration of a strapless black lace gown floating in open space against a dusty-rose field, its floral lace fading into a nude base. — Actress Sofía Vergara wore a custom black lace optical-illusion gown by Celia Kritharioti to the LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles on November 7. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Sofía Vergara attended the LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles on November 7 wearing a custom gown by Celia Kritharioti. The strapless black lace dress is designed to create the illusion of a lacy naked dress.

Why it matters

The look shows how custom couture and optical-illusion techniques continue to shape red carpet fashion at major arts events. It also highlights the role of celebrity styling in drawing attention to independent designers.

Vergara wore a floral lace gown with a nude base layer, a structured balconette bust, and a miniature train. She accessorized with gold rings, an evil eye bracelet by Lorraine Schwartz, and pink-and-nude chandelier earrings.

The players

Sofía Vergara

Colombian-American actress known for her role on Modern Family and a judge on America's Got Talent.

Celia Kritharioti

Designer who created the custom optical illusion gown worn to the LACMA gala.

The details

The gown was custom-made by Celia Kritharioti and styled by Laura Basci, with floral lace covering a nude base layer to create the optical effect. Vergara's makeup was done by Sabrina Bedrani, and her hair by Clariss Anya Rubenstein, with sculpted brows and a dusty rose lip.

November 7: Vergara attends the LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles.
November 8: Vergara wears a sheer brown lace corset outfit to dinner and posts from a bathtub on Instagram.

Culture Shift

The gown reflects a continuing movement at red carpet events toward bespoke, technique-driven designs over mass-produced luxury labels. Its use of an optical illusion echoes the trompe-l'oeil trend that has recurred in high fashion for decades.

Readers planning red carpet-inspired looks can note the use of a nude base layer under lace as a technique for achieving a sheer effect at lower cost than fully sheer fabric. The gown's custom construction means it is not directly purchasable, but similar sheer-lace styling is widely available.

The takeaway

Sheer lace layered over a nude base offers a practical way to create an illusion effect without fully transparent fabric. Choosing one statement piece, such as a corset top or structured bodice, can anchor an outfit across both evening and daytime wear.