Lucy Liu Signals Polka Dots’ Staying Power in Bach Mai’s Bustle Gown at the 11th Asian World Film Festival

Lucy Liu continued 2025’s run of high-profile polka dot statements on Saturday in Culver City, wearing a strapless Bach Mai gown to a screening of “Rosemead” during the 11th Asian World Film Festival. The look, tailored by Matthew Kilgore and styled by Lee Harris, drew directly from the designer’s spring 2026 collection, where Mai reworked circles and controlled volume into a series of spot-driven pieces.

The gown appears in ivory satin with evenly spaced black dots arranged across a fitted column silhouette. A soft straight-across neckline shapes the upper bodice, while internal structure keeps the torso clean through the waist. The back introduces the main line of movement: a gathered bustle-inspired panel that expands outward into a voluminous floor-length hem, echoing the finale geometry in Mai’s spring 2026 lineup. The scale of the dots and the crispness of the fabrication maintain the designer’s focus on basic forms — an approach WWD’s Ari Stark noted throughout the spring presentation, where Mai explored polka-dot mikado and circular motifs as part of his “glamour coming undone” direction. She finished the look with Swarovski jewelry and a compact Judith Leiber clutch.

Liu’s choice extends the year’s polka-dot momentum, which has moved steadily from runway presentations into major events. Princess Charlotte appeared in dotted Guess early in the summer, as did Sarah Jessica Parker in a Luisa Beccaria fall 2025 polka dot dress in May. Julia Garner continued the pattern in July with a dotted Gucci cruise 2026 look for the Weapons premiere, and Queen Camilla chose a Fiona Clare midi dress soon after for engagements in Truro and Newquay. Ariana Grande closed the September stretch with custom polka-dot Fendi at the MTV VMAs.

Saturday’s screening of “Rosemead” brought the cast to the Culver Theater in Culver City. Liu plays Irene, a terminally ill mother who discovers her teenage son’s interest in mass shootings.