Under a clear dark sky at Nestldown, representatives of the Los Gatos business community shone like unique stars in tailored suits and dresses of rich satin, tulle and lace.
The Shine Among the Stars Gala took place on March 28 to honor the nominees and winners of the Stars of Los Gatos Awards, celebrating the individuals and organizations that make up the economic fabric of the town. Chamber CEO Jennifer Lin said afterward that the gala “exceeded all of our expectations.” She said guests complimented the venue, the event space’s design and its execution, the elevated cuisine and the social format and atmosphere.
The high-end atmosphere of the gala was the result of community feedback to the chamber of commerce, Lin said. After the pandemic, the chamber tried to restart core programs and strengthen its portfolio of signature community events. After the chamber reintroduced the Annual Member Celebration in the form of a relaxed, lightly programmed member social on a Friday afternoon at Nestldown, staff learned that there was an appetite for a more formal experience.
The demand for more formal, in-person events is a documented trend on fashion websites and event apps. While the COVID pandemic era was defined by working from home and clocking into meetings in sweatpants and T-shirts, business news outlet Raconteur reported that more people are finding excuses to dress up on their off-time.
Events are also getting a glow-up. According to Eventbrite’s 2026 social study report, people are looking for curated, spontaneous events near where they live. The study reported that 44% of 18- to 35-year-olds say they’re more likely to spend money to attend if it’s at a unique or exciting venue. Between those surveyed in the U.S. and the United Kingdom, an average of 89% said it’s important that an event helps them feel connected to their local community.
Lin said the dress code for the night was cocktail attire with a relaxed, elegant vibe. Men showed up in suits, with or without the tie, while women dressed in rich and sparkly fabrics.
“I think people are ready to get dressed up and celebrate,” Lin said in an interview after the gala.
Lin herself wore a $330 Kay Unger gown from Nordstrom with a floral print to hint at the emergence of spring. She said she had a vision called “midnight garden” and selected a few dresses before settling on the one she wore.
The desire to dress up was also exemplified by the gala’s guests. Nicole Kerman, owner of recruiting and HR firm NHK Inc., wore a long, satin emerald green gown from Macy’s that cost around $200. She attended the event with two of her friends who work in recruiting at Netflix. She said that she thought it would be fun to dress up for the gala since formal events are rare.
“My girlfriends and I are treating this like adult prom,” Kerman said. “This is a very rare occasion for us to come out and celebrate ourselves and the community and have a night away from the kids as well.”
The gala’s emcee, Brian Bernasconi, stood out among the crowd for his black-and-white suit jacket from Hammer and Lewis Clothiers, patterned with large quatrefoils. Bernasconi joked that there was no way to miss him at the event. Unlike Kerman, Bernasconi said there are plenty of formal events in the town.
Before becoming a real estate agent, Bernasconi previously was an actor and played in a nine-piece horn band. He said he enjoyed “playing dress up” but has since taken a more subdued approach to his work.
“When we’re young, we think we need a lot of attention or we want a lot of attention or it feels good to get a lot of attention, and maybe when you get a little older, you figure that you’re doing some of your best work behind the scenes,” Bernasconi said.
The work of Los Gatos-based clothing designer Franco Masoma was on full display at the chamber event. Mayor Rob Moore gave Masoma a shout-out for the black suit he wore to the gala, while Masona himself was wearing a gray suit from his own label.
The designer has had his own clothing label since 2004 and opened his Los Gatos store in 2018. Before fleeing Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan war, he recalled sketching clothing designs and going to the tailor to have the garments made. Now, he replicates this process with his clients.
“I match people’s personality,” Masoma said. “I never ask my customer what they want; I tell them what they need.”
Hair stylist Dustin David wore a white silk suit and vest combination designed by Masoma and gold lace shoes by Christian Louboutin. David said that he usually wears a lot of black, so when he goes out to special events, he does the opposite.
Certified public accountant Dina Britten was wearing a dress from Saks Fifth Avenue that she bought for $30 and has owned for several years. When she’s not dressed up for formal events, she said that she tends to dress more comfortably in REI hiking clothes. She noted that American fashion trends tend to be more practical than European ones. And when it comes to Los Gatos, she added, the clothes people wear can signify values like sustainability, empowerment and the greater good.
“Our clothes, it’s not just glamor and shine, like it would be in Paris,” Britten said. “Here, it’s much more philosophical. It’s more sophisticated now. And so much culture is coming here, so many excellent people are moving here, so this is the future.”