How much time is too much time spent on the red carpet?
Gwendoline: I think that you can spend as much time as you want on the red carpet as long as you’re not still on the carpet while everyone else is inside, the event has started, and there are no photographers left.
La La: When you get on the stairs, they’ll escort you up. They’ll tell you, “Okay, turn around; make your way up a little bit more; turn this way.” So you follow the instructions, and you don’t want to rush that; that can be really intimidating. Nobody wants to fall, nobody wants any issues, so you just have to take your time.
If you are interviewed for the Vogue livestream, are there any off-limit topics of conversation?
Gwendoline: Darling, don’t ask me. I’ve never done anything like this before. We’re gonna find out on the first Monday in May!
La La: It’s a fun night, so it’s about keeping the questions light, about the fashion about what inspired your look. Just be ready to answer those kinds of questions. Nobody’s trying to dig into your personal life or ask you anything uncomfortable. Everyone’s in high spirits—and we want to keep it that way.
Is asking who else is at your table a faux pas?
Gwendoline: Enormously. It also adds to the element of surprise to find out who you are going to be sitting with at your table for dinner at the Met Gala. I think that is exciting too, because it’s always interesting to find out about other people that you’ve never met before—and could potentially be terrified by.
La La: I just always got my seat and was happy I was there! You’re typically going to know someone at your table, but what’s cool is sitting next to people you don’t know. You make new friends, you have conversations with someone that you might not normally talk to. I sat next to Anthony Ramos one year and we had always heard about each other. He’s a close friend of mine now, and a fellow Latino. We talk all the time, and laugh that we actually officially met at the Met.
Can you use your phone at the table?
Gwendoline: 100% no, never, never. And one should just never use one’s phone at the table. With the glittering guest list, why would you ever need to look at your phone when you’ve got so many brilliant people to chat with—or at least admire?
La La: You want to be social! It’s a once-a-year—and for some, once-in-a-lifetime—event. You want to be present and take it all in.
Should you eat before you arrive?
Gwendoline: I would advise a hearty breakfast and a generous lunch—but then I would always advise that.
La La: No. I think you should definitely have the full experience and eat there. I don’t think you want to have too much food in your stomach going up the red carpet and dealing with all that craziness. You take a deep breath when you finally go inside, enjoy some cocktails, and enjoy a nice dinner.