Sarah Jessica Parker and Andy Cohen Hit the Ballet to Talk Dance, Design, and Tinder

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For about three years now the New York City Ballet has twice annually invited fashion designers to collaborate on costumes for the stage. Last night at the annual Fall Fashion Gala, the NYCB dancers performed in designs from Mary Katrantzou, Thom Browne, Carolina Herrera, Valentino Garavani, and Alexander McQueen’s Sarah Burton.

Sarah Jessica Parker, Vice-Chairman of the NYCB and co-host of last night’s gala is largely credited with spearheading the collaborations. Before the show, Parker shared with us the little known fact that she used to dance with American Ballet Theater as a child. But despite having to give it up (“I’m an actor, I couldn’t do both!”), is still drawn to the art. “I feel a connection to ballet. Why do we have a connection? I don’t know. These things are inexplicable… but it’s a wonderful way to feel transported in this extraordinary city.” Her five-year-old twin daughters are reportedly avid ballet dancers themselves.

We asked if there is anything else inspiring SJP in NYC this fall. She said, “Walking down the street, taking the subway, and the girls I see on the street. I see people and things and architecture and piles of garbage all day long. To me, it’s all interesting and inspiring.”

Although Parker won’t admit to paying favorites, for the event last night she did choose to wear a dress from Mary Katrantzou’s Fall collection. Parker explained her soft spot for the London-based designer, “Mary is incredibly confident and smart. I love the way she deals with textures and patterns. She has her own complete vision. She is really bold and courageous.”

Other attendees at the ballet included Bravo’s Andy Cohen, whose mind was on a different type of formal engagement. “I actually have a Tinder date a week from tonight,” he said.  “There are a lot of great Tinder stories in my new book. I’m pretty clumsy, but I like to plan the date. I’m a control freak.” Nate Berkus, meanwhile, shared his admiration for the elegant ballet dancers, following a recent stint with the flying trapeze: “I’m definitely not graceful. I did a trapeze class to help raise money for Hudson River Park last month. I was not graceful swinging through the sky, I was me screaming at the top of my lungs and falling into the net.”