Multi-hyphenate artist Solange Knowles is lending her talents to the New York City Ballet.
Composing her very first original ballet score, the piece debuted Wednesday evening at the ballet’s 2022 Fall Fashion Gala and was performed by the City Ballet Orchestra at Manhattan’s David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center, with a soloist from Knowles’ own ensemble.
The fashionable affair celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Fall Fashion Gala and raised $3.4 million in funds for the ballet. The fête honored Board Vice Chair Sarah Jessica Parker for a decade of dedicated leadership. The actress was supposed to be on-hand but had to unexpectedly skip the Gala due to a “sudden and devastating situation that required her to be with her family,” per Vanity Fair. According to a statement from the star’s rep obtained by RadarOnline, her stepfather Paul Giffin Forste died on Sept. 28 from an “unexpected and rapid illness.”
Gala Co-Chair Laverne Cox attended the event, along with actress Gwendoline Christie, Kristin Davis, Queen Latifah, Billy Porter, and Julia Fox with New York City Ballet collaborator Zac Posen. Solange’s older sister Beyoncé and mother Tina Knowles also made a surprise appearance in support of the Solange’s ballet debut. Show dates for Solange’s score include, October 1, 8, 11, and 16, and May 2, 11, 13, 17, and 18.
It marks a major accomplishment as Knowles is the second Black woman to compose a score for a New York City Ballet production, after Lido Pimienta became the first in 2021 with her composition “sky to hold,” according to CBS.
See all the celebrity arrivals, below:
Solange Knowles
For the momentous occasion, Solange suited up in an oversized navy double-breasted ensemble, with black boots, glittering hoop earrings and a diamond necklace.
Julia Fox and Zac Posen
Julia Fox attended the event on the arm of designer Zac Posen, who designed her futuristic and voluminous metallic silver gown. Posen recently announced his engagement to the principal dancer of the New York City Ballet, Harrison Ball. The two even got the chance to work together earlier this year when Posen collaborated with the New York City Ballet and designed costumes for the dancers.
Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox arrived at the New York Ballet in a futuristic 3-D printed Iris van Herpen dress, clear PVC pumps, a top bun, chandelier earrings and Published By handbag.
Kristen Davis
Styled by Samantha McMillen, Kristen Davis arrived in a shimmering champagne-colored Monique Lhuillier Fall/Winter 2022 ready-to-wear caped gown and Fred Leighton jewelry.
Billy Porter
Billy Porter arrived in an archival Giles Deacon maxi dress from the designer’s Fall/Winter 2013 ready-to-wear collection.
Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah made her appearance in an all-black ensemble, featuring a bedazzled collar over her embellished emerald floor-length coat.
Gwendoline Christie
Gwendoline Christie sported a A-line corseted ballet pink off-the-shoulder frock with matching pumps, and a red statement lip.
Check out GRAZIA USA’s Fall issue featuring cover star Nicola Peltz Beckham:
