Stars, patrons and fashionistas descended upon Lincoln Center Thursday night for the annual New York City Ballet Fall Fashion Gala. Now in its 14th year, the gala has become one of the fall social calendar’s most anticipated events, not only for a night of dance but for the couture costumes as well.
Guests in attendance included Sarah Jessica Parker, the gala’s founding chair, as well as Stevie Nicks, Julia Fox, Fran Drescher, Andy Cohen, Nicole Ari Parker, Bridget Everett and more who promenaded down the red carpet and onto the plaza for cocktails by the fountain before the supper ball.
Gala cochair Nicole Ari Parker was one of the first to arrive, wearing a custom Victor De Souza gown reminiscent of Victorian tulle. “He’s just an incredible designer. He reminds me of how much I love ‘make believe,’” the actress said. “I feel like I’m sent to another era every time I wear him. It’s just a work of art.”
Sarah Jessica Parker and Simone Rocha
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Simone Rocha designed the costumes for one of this year’s performances.
“It was very organic in keeping with the choreography, so trying to bring my world into a more physical dance world,” she said of the process.
Rocha also gave some insight into Parker’s look for the night, which was based on a look from her fall 2026 collection.
“It was a piece that was adapted from a very special show piece I did with all these pink ribbons that felt very fitting for this evening,” Rocha said.
“Every year, I hope and try to wear a design by one of the designers,” Parker said. “We asked [Simone Rocha] and she was gracious enough, and so it’s whatever she imagined. I had nothing to do with it except I’m on the receiving end till midnight. And then you can have it!”
Fran Drescher
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Drescher arrived in a form-fitting knit Brunello Cucinelli dress, YSL hanging earrings, and Jimmy Choo heels with matching pearls.
“They’re always pushing the envelope, not just doing traditional dance with traditional music. Tonight they’ve choreographed a dance to ‘Landslide’ [by Stevie Nicks], which is one of my favorite songs,” Drescher said of the NYCB. “So it’s always something special.”
Following the red carpet and cocktail hour was the world premiere of “Auspicy” choreographed by Alysa Pires with costumes by Viktor & Rolf, “Mirror/Sky” choreographed by Justin Peck with costumes by Simone Rocha, and finally “Shared Rain,” choreographed by Jennifer Archibald with costumes by Robert Wun.
Julia Fox
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The dancers performed three enchanting and emotional acts, the second including a vocal performance by Haley Heynderickx of Stevie Nicks’ “Landslide.” The gala concluded with dinner and dancing among the ballerinas and patrons.
“I feel like every year it just gets better and better,” Fox said during the first course. “I’ve worn all three designers. I have relationships with all three so it was really fun to see them do this. I mean the Viktor & Rolf was insane. The Robert Wu was so beautiful. It’s such a unique fusion of dance and art and fashion. To see it just come together like that was kind of emotional. We were all really like jaw on the floor about it.”