The real sign that New York City is back in full swing? The official return of culture and the arts - and, thus, the bustling of the black tie masses at Lincoln Center once again.

On Thursday night, socialites, celebrities, and style stars returned to the David H. Koch Theater to celebrate the New York City Ballet at the 2021 Fall Fashion Gala. The glittering fete, which saw the always-magical Lincoln Center Plaza filled with flashbulbs and fabulous gowns, featured two world premiere ballets with collaborations by choreographer Sidra Bell and designer Christopher John Rogers and choreographer Andrea Miller and designer Esteban Cortázar.

Diane Kruger, Claire Danes, and Laverne Cox rubbed elbows with the stylish likes of Zanna Roberts Rassi, Zac Posen, and Pyer Moss's Kerby Jean-Raymond. Cynthia Rowley and Kit Keenan had a mother-daughter night out, while Alan Cumming posed alongside Dove Cameron and Kristin Chenoweth.

The evening, packed with music, dance, and, of course, plenty of Ruinart champagne, raised over $2.5 million for the ballet company. We'd call that a successful comeback.

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[Photos courtesy New York City Ballet/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images]

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