Golden Goose Celebrates L.A. Golden Spirit

L.A.’s finest turned out to show support for Italian brand Golden Goose on Wednesday night. A year ago, the luxury brand’s From Venice to Venice journey started with their annual event in Italy and led to an American motel lit up in bright neon lights. 

The likes of Brooklyn Beckham and Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs’ twin daughters, Jessie and D’Lila, led the pack at the Pink Motel, where the theme of the evening was “golden spirit.”

Guests were greeted by a pink Cadillac parked outside of the iconic Sun Valley attraction, which has been featured in countless TV shows, movies and music videos — including MacGyver, The Babysitters Club and Cee Lo Greene’s ‘Fuck You.’

Cadillac Jack’s Cafe — recognizable from Grease 2 and a popular location for fashion shoots — was transformed into a Golden Goose co-creation zone. Instead of serving up fries and shakes, Ball Star 2 sneakers covered the counters and customization was on the menu. The shoes are the new version of Golden Goose’s iconic pair, which draws inspiration from the worlds of basketball and skateboarding culture which is especially prevalent in Venice, California.

But guests didn’t go hungry; following the aperitivo, models served up plates of Ahi Tuna Tartare Crostino, creamy lemon pasta and grilled Bronzino filet before finishing the al fresco dinner with a tiramisu dessert.

Attendees rode into the next part of the evening via an immersive experience that detailed the history of the brand and its dedication to Italian craftsmanship when making footwear, bags and clothing. Using a gallery of photography on the exterior walls, the exhibition also showcased Golden Goose’s connection to the skateboarding scene in Los Angeles.

So it was fitting that on the other side of a dark tunnel, local skateboarders were waiting to put on a show with American Olympian Cory Juneau. Juneau, who won the bronze medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games, made the empty swimming pool his skate bowl. Stylishly suited up — Juneau in a pink jacket and trousers — the men and women on wheels garnered cheers for 30 minutes from spectators lining the gold-trimmed vessel.

With Golden Goose priding itself on championing imperfect beauty, the skaters and the crowd proved it had the “golden spirit” as cheers of support grew louder almost in proportion with the number of tumbles and near-misses.

Post-performance adrenaline pumping, attendees let loose to some Eighties favourites on the dance floor, where iconography of the decade was just as noticeable in the footwear as it was in the sounds coming from the speakers. Photographer Myles Hendrick was DJ for the night, attracting delighted skateboarders and partygoers to the decks with tracks including Kool and the Gang’s ‘Jungle Boogie,’ The Human League’s ‘Don’t You Want Me,’ and throwing in Beyoncé’s very apt ‘Break My Soul’ for good measure.