Aubrey Plaza made a memorable appearance at Khaite’s Fall/Winter 2026 fashion show during New York Fashion Week on Saturday, showcasing a powerful look that incorporated her signature style. Wearing a black mini dress beneath a thigh-length leather jacket, Plaza embraced the event’s glamorous atmosphere while subtly nodding to her resilience amid personal tragedy. The actress’s choice of Aubrey Plaza black leather pieces caught attention as she confronted the public eye a year and a half after her husband’s suicide.
Details of Plaza’s Outfit and Styling Choices
At 41 years old, Plaza presented a sophisticated yet edgy style, pairing her black leather jacket and dress with sheer black tights and sleek leather boots. Her thick, glossy brunette hair flowed naturally in bouncy curls that framed her face, complementing the leather ensemble. Accessories included bold gold hoop earrings and two delicate layered necklaces, while her makeup enhanced her brown eyes with subtle tones and a brick-colored matte lipstick finish. This carefully curated look emphasized both strength and softness, suitable for the high-profile event.
Context of Personal Tragedy and Public Grief
Plaza’s husband, screenwriter Jeff Baena, passed away in January 2025 after taking his own life. According to an autopsy report from the LA County Medical Examiner obtained by DailyMail.com, the couple had been separated since September 2024. Baena’s body was found in Los Angeles on January 3, while Plaza was living in New York. This marked a deeply difficult period for the actress, who has openly discussed her ongoing struggle with grief.
Reflecting on her feelings during an appearance on fellow comedian Amy Poehler’s podcast Good Hang last August, Plaza said,
“Right in this very, very present moment, I feel happy to be with you. Overall, I’m here and I’m functioning. I feel really grateful to be moving through the world. I think I’m okay, but it’s like a daily struggle.”
Plaza expressed the emotional weight she carries:
“At all times there’s like a giant ocean of awfulness, that’s like right there and I can see it… Sometimes I just want to dive into it, and just like be in it. Then sometimes I just look at it, and sometimes I try to get away from it. But, it’s always there.”
Other Notable Attendees at the Fashion Event
The Khaite show drew a number of prominent figures from the film and fashion industries, all adhering to a sophisticated black attire theme. Australian actress Elizabeth Debicki, 35, wore a modest ankle-length velvet dress with sheer black tights and pointed-toe heels. Known for her Emmy-winning portrayal of Princess Diana in “The Crown,” Debicki’s blonde hair was parted to the side and styled in textured waves. In September 2024, she earned acclaim for playing the late Princess of Wales in the show’s fifth and sixth seasons.
Actress Cristin Milioti, 40, also showcased her fashion sense in a black ensemble consisting of wide-leg trousers, pointed-toe heels, and a fur-collared bomber jacket. Meanwhile, Grace Gummer, 39, daughter of Meryl Streep, appeared in a sleek black leather trench coat paired with sunglasses, exuding a glamorous and polished look. Gummer wore a structured high-neck gray dress underneath, finishing with black pointed-toe heels and a low updo hairstyle.
Grace Gummer’s younger sister, Louisa Jacobson, 34, attended the event as well, modeling wide-leg black leather pants along with a structured, thigh-grazing olive green coat. British actress Gemma Chan, 43, embraced the all-black theme by wearing a sleeveless black dress complemented by heeled black leather boots with pointed toes and onyx sunglasses. Her hair, styled in a silky blowout by Ben Skervin, added to her poised appearance. Actor Christopher Abbott, 40, participated in the presentation sporting a black sweater layered beneath a bomber jacket, paired with gray trousers and black shoes. Abbott’s distinctive look featured a mustache, with dark hair shaved on the sides and longer on top.
Significance of Plaza’s Appearance and Public Healing
Aubrey Plaza’s presence at the New York fashion event not only spotlighted her exceptional sense of style, particularly highlighted by the Aubrey Plaza black leather pieces, but also underscored her journey through personal grief in the public eye. More than a year after her husband’s tragic death, Plaza continues to navigate an ocean of emotions while maintaining her career and public presence. Her candid reflections on coping with loss invite a broader conversation about mental health and resilience.
The fashion show itself became a testament to renewed confidence for many attending stars, with Plaza’s ensemble symbolizing both mourning and strength. Moving forward, Plaza appears poised to continue her work while openly acknowledging the complexities of healing, offering hope to others facing similar struggles.
