Meghan Markle Steps Out in a Stunning Custom Gown at the Fifteen Percent Pledge Gala
The 15 Percent Pledge held its annual gala last night, transforming Paramount Studios in Los Angeles into a celebration of Black-owned businesses and cultural advocacy. Hosted by CNN’s Abby Phillip, the high-profile evening marked another year of the nonprofit’s efforts to bridge the economic gap for Black entrepreneurs.
The night’s highest honor went to Tina Knowles, who was recognized for her career-long dedication to empowering Black creators and her vocal leadership in the business community.
Adding a touch of regal elegance to the “black tie, Black designer” theme, Duchess Meghan arrived in a sophisticated custom gown by Charles Harbison. The oyster-hued strapless dress featured a striking column silhouette with a sweetheart neckline accented by bold black piping.
To complete the look, she draped a dramatic black velvet-and-silk shawl over her arms, which trailed behind her like a train across the green carpet. Designer Charles Harbison took to social media before the event to share the behind-the-scenes effort that went into the custom creation.
He noted that things had been intense lately, leading up to the gala, but expressed immense pride in the final product. Harbison, who also styled Winnie Harlow for the evening, remarked that the final fitting went really well and that the piece was truly one of the ones [he’s] most proud of.
Meghan kept her styling classic and refined, opting for a sleek chignon that drew focus to her vintage black onyx-and-diamond drop earrings. She attended the event solo, walking the carpet and posing for photos alongside entrepreneur Emma Grede, a board member of the organization. The gala followed a weekend of activities, including the 15th Street Block Party, highlighting the organization’s shift of billions toward Black founders since its start in 2020.
Meghan Markle was stunning as she stepped out for the 2026 Fifteen Percent Pledge Fundraising Gala, which honored Tina Knowles in LA on Saturday. 🖤✨ pic.twitter.com/FNcdmg9lKf
— Entertainment Tonight (@etnow) February 8, 2026
Beyond her appearance at the gala, the Duchess of Sussex is moving into a busy year with several major multimedia projects reaching the public. She recently rebranded her lifestyle venture to As Ever, a transition that expands her brand’s reach beyond the Santa Barbara region to a more global lifestyle aesthetic.
The first major product line from the brand is expected to launch this March, featuring home goods, garden wares, and her signature fruit preserves. On the screen, Meghan is the executive producer and lead of the Netflix lifestyle series With Love, Meghan.
The show is designed to be an extension of her personal philosophy, focusing on the joys of cooking, gardening, and the importance of female friendship. It marks a significant return to the spotlight for her, following her and Prince Harry’s recent documentary project, Cookie Queens, which they promoted at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
In addition to her solo ventures, Meghan is also behind the production of Polo, a five-part documentary series currently streaming on Netflix. While the series focuses on the grit and competitive passion of professional polo players at the US Open Polo Championship, the Duchess played a hands-on role in its curation through Archewell Productions.
Do you think Meghan’s choice to wear a Black designer for the gala’s theme was a powerful way to use her global platform to spotlight independent luxury labels? Share your thoughts in the comments.