Sarah Jessica Parker Dazzles at Fall Fashion Gala with Dramatic Wings

NEW YORK, NY — Sarah Jessica Parker stunned guests at the New York City Ballet‘s annual Fall Fashion Gala on Oct. 8, presenting a striking appearance in a dramatic design by Iris van Herpen. The gala took place at the David H. Koch Theater, where Parker made her entrance wearing an eye-catching gown that featured a black mesh overlay, an off-white mini dress beneath, and a breathtaking pair of large wings.

Parker, a longstanding advocate for ballet and the vice-chair of the NYCB board, expressed her excitement about wearing the couture creation. “This is Iris’s, and wearing this is the easiest thing ever,” Parker told Vogue, noting the wings’ lightweight nature. “These wings weigh nothing. It’s so comfortable to wear.”

Iris van Herpen, known for her innovative designs, created the costumes for the gala’s featured ballet, “Foreseeable Future,” choreographed by Jamar Roberts. Her fiery sunset-red costumes for the production also incorporated large woven wings, reflecting a connection to nature and technology.

The evening attracted various celebrities, including Julia Fox and Nicole Ari Parker, who opted for van Herpen’s high-tech designs as well. Parker’s husband, Matthew Broderick, complemented her look in a classic black tuxedo.

Since its inception in 2012, the Fall Fashion Gala has raised over $33 million to support the New York City Ballet’s mission. Conceived by Parker, the gala has showcased the work of more than 30 fashion designers, all created at the NYCB Costume Shop led by Marc Happel.

Parker described her partnership with Happel: “I came to Marc, and he’d never done my tailoring before. But in one fitting—literally eight minutes—it was done. He’s amazing.” Van Herpen detailed the creation of Parker’s gown, explaining, “It took four months to create her look, made from an ultra-light ‘air fabric’ produced in Japan.”

The gala opened with Gianna Reisen’s “Composer’s Holiday,” featuring striking costumes by the late Virgil Abloh and marked the youngest choreographer in NYCB history. Other performances included William Forsythe’s “Herman Schmerman Pas de Deux.” Parker’s design ultimately left an indelible mark on the evening, with van Herpen calling her “a black angel.”