Silver Hair, Sheer Dress, Zero Apologies: ‘And Just Like That’ Star Sarah Jessica Parker (61) Sizzles at the Ballet Gala and Fans Can’t Stop Staring

Every October, one red carpet in New York feels like it was built for Sarah Jessica Parker. She helped launch the New York City Ballet’s Fall Fashion Gala back in 2012, and she has been setting its tone ever since. Last year, she turned heads in a sculptural black Iris van Herpen gown with giant sheer wings, so expectations this time were sky-high.

Few stars treat a red carpet like a chance to tell a story the way she does. Fashion editors now treat her gala appearances as a main event rather than a footnote. This year, she delivered once again, though with a twist few people saw coming.

On October 1, Parker walked the carpet at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater in a custom Simone Rocha dress, and the hair stole the show. She wore her silver roots proudly, blended into a long braid with a pink ribbon woven through it. The sheer dress and the silver strands set social media buzzing.

🤍 Presumiendo de canas ¿Se puede ser más icónica que Sarah Jessica Parker? 🎀 A sus 61 años, la eterna Carrie Bradshaw ha vuelto a dar una lección de estilo (y de actitud) en la Ballet Gala de Nueva York No solo deslumbró con un espectacular vestido transparente repleto de lazos y florales de Simone Rocha, sino con una increíble maxi trenza peinada al estilo Rapunzel presumiendo de sus canas naturales✨

— Revista ¡HOLA! (@hola) October 2, 2026

Parker’s gown was a custom take on Rocha’s Fall 2026 collection. The original is an embroidered tulle ‘Rosebud Unravelling Ribbon’ tutu dress, and Parker’s version was adapted with sleeves, fewer ribbons and less volume through the skirt. The result was a sheer, off-white tea-length dress with floral embroidery and long pale pink ribbons that trailed as she walked.

Sarah Jessica Parker brings Carrie Bradshaw flair to the NYC Ballet fall fashion gala 2026 https://t.co/nKKgsh1HgE https://t.co/mTllu7mpJ9

— Page Six (@PageSix) October 2, 2026

She finished the look with sparkling embellished heels. Her husband, Matthew Broderick, kept it classic beside her in a tuxedo. The pair looked like they’d stepped straight out of a fairy tale.

And Just Like That… Sarah Jessica Parker Serves Pure Fairy-Tale Ribbon Glamour at NYC Ballet #andjustlikethat #sjp #sarahjessicaparker #nycballet #afrazexplores @SJP @nycballet https://t.co/PIXbol0FXj

— Afraz Explores (@AfrazExplores) October 6, 2026

The pairing made sense, because Rocha designed costumes for a new pas de deux by Justin Peck that premiered at the gala. Fans of ‘And Just Like That…’ also noticed the connection, since Parker wore another sheer Rocha creation on the show. The designer’s romantic, ballet-core style has become a quiet signature for her character.

I love how Sarah Jessica Parker has chosen to age naturally. ❤️ https://t.co/bLZG4yrXdf

— insizwa nsi (@AdvKindness) October 3, 2026

While the dress was delicate, the hair did the heavy lifting. Parker’s long fishtail braid reached well below her waist, with gray roots melting into blond and brunette lengths. Pink ribbons echoed the details on the dress, tying the whole look together.

Online reaction was swift. After Elle shared a video of her on Instagram, comment after comment praised her gray hair. One commenter compared her to a Disney princess, while others on X said they liked how she was embracing the silver gradually.

🌶️ Hot: Founding Chair Sarah Jessica Parker Steals the Carpet at the Ballet Fall Fashion Gala Check out all photos👉 https://t.co/AGOlIxpuVP https://t.co/ZyVveWmTMB

— Tha Starz (@thastarz) October 3, 2026

Parker’s relationship with her natural color has never been a simple one. Years ago, she told Allure she was tired of people calling her brave for letting her gray show, and she pointed to the double standard that rarely applies to men. She has also said she’d rather spend her time on other things than constant touch-ups.

That context makes this red carpet moment more interesting. She isn’t framing it as a statement, but the look reads as relaxed and confident all the same. At 61, she is letting the silver be part of the glamour rather than something to hide.

The Fall Fashion Gala pairs choreographers with designers to create new work for the stage, and the evening begins with a champagne reception before the performance. It then wraps up with dinner and dancing on the theater’s promenade. Parker, a vice chair of the company’s board, has been the face of the event since it began.

Other celebrities filled the carpet this year, including Stevie Nicks, Julia Fox and Nicole Ari Parker. Even so, the night belonged to Parker’s ribbon-covered look. It was romantic and slightly cheeky at once, which is exactly what fans expect from her.

Part of the appeal is how unforced it feels. The dress is sheer but sweet, the braid is dramatic but soft, and the silver roots add a modern edge to an old-school fairy-tale fantasy. It’s glamorous without trying to be younger than she is.

It also fits a growing trend of stars showing off natural silver on the red carpet, whether in full or blended in. If this look is a preview of her next hair chapter, fans are clearly ready.

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