Colman Domingo Shares the Surprising Contents of His Tiny Cat Bag at the Academy Museum Gala: ‘You Never Know’ (Exclusive).Linh

Colman Domingo is spilling the details on his unique red carpet accessory.

On Saturday, Oct. 19, the 54-year-old actor proved his fashion prowess yet again at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Gala in Los Angeles. The Oscar nominee appeared in a robe-style black suit jacket teamed with a white collared shirt and red pants, but the custom Valentino look was all about the details.

Along with black lace gloves and an array of rings and bracelets, Domingo carried a small handbag in the shape of a white cat. At the 25th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival on Sunday, Oct. 20, the actor told PEOPLE all about the playful accessory.

Without it, he said, the look would be “just a man in a suit.”

“I thought it’s fun and it’s a conversation starter,” said Domingo said of the bag. “I love standing around talking to someone, and they finally notice I have the cat. They’re like, ‘What is that?’ I’m like, ‘It’s actually a bag. It’s actually a little bag, and I could keep a few items in there.'”

The Euphoria actor also revealed what he was carrying that night. “I kept my ID and $20 because you never know if you need $20 for whatever reason,” he shared. “And also it was custom Valentino… so I just wanted to have fun.”

Domingo added that the item was modeled after Karl Lagerfeld’s beloved cat, Choupette.

The fourth annual gala also drew stars like Demi Moore, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Pamela Anderson and Kim Kardashian.

The event kicked off birthday celebrations for Kardashian, who turns 44 on Monday, Oct. 21. On the red carpet, the reality star wore a vintage Thierry Mugler 1998 plunging white corseted bodysuit, long white robe, nude tights and perspex heels. Her hair was styled in Hollywood waves and she sported a Tiffany diamond choker and matching rings.

n the early hours of Monday, the SKIMS founder posted an Instagram Stories video of herself wearing a nude dress for her birthday festivities. The look featured a fitted bodice with a plunging neckline layered over a semi-sheer flowing skirt.