Derek Blasberg, former livestream host
I hosted only one year and I loved it, because you get to ask everyone the questions you’re thinking when you look at the slideshow the next day: How long did it take to get ready? Who designed your outfit? How much input did you have? Are you comfortable? Are you uncomfortable? Are you happy to be uncomfortable because you know it’s worth it? But the downside of hosting the livestream is that it’s live. Last year, we were waiting for someone to arrive who was notoriously late, so the con is that you’re often waiting and trying to fill time.
Sally Singer, former Vogue creative digital director
My first time attending with American Vogue, it was the “Rock Style” exhibition year in 1999. I went to the flea market and I bought a yellow sequined poncho with matching sort of long-line bootcut yellow sequin trousers for $60. I had my friend Mario Nico give me extensions, which I thought was terribly exciting, like an extended ponytail. I thought I was pulling a Cher. I thought I looked great and then all of the other women who worked at Vogue had so much jewelry on, they had security guards around them. I thought, I don’t know if I got this right.
Virginia Smith, Vogue fashion director
I have to say, when I see all the Vogue guys and girls lined up when you’re walking up is so great. It’s so sweet and I always get emotional about it every time I walk in and see everyone all dressed up. They’re so happy to be there.
Tonne Goodman, Vogue sustainability editor
The Vreelands were friends of our family and I was at that time actually dating Nicky [Vreeland, Diana’s son]. So I had a double life when I was working at the Met. I would go to Yellow Fingers with Nicky and then I would install a mannequin from Mrs. Vreeland. I really was a worker bee. I really installed the shows and I loved it. I absolutely loved it. And the great payoff was you had this incredible party that everybody was at and everybody was happy.
Nancy Chilton, former chief external relations officer for the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
The lost and found department is very busy the next morning. We get a lot of emails about people who have lost jewelry, etc.
Andrew Bolton, the Wendy Yu Curator in Charge, the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
One experience I remember really clearly, it was during the “Punk: Chaos to Couture” exhibition and it just brought tears to my eyes. Anna [Wintour] had arranged for these models to stand at either side of the grand staircase, dressed as punks. I remember they were given special instructions not to smile and not to engage with the guests and suddenly, there was this eruption of applause—all of the models were clapping. And I remember, thinking oh no they’re going to get in such trouble because they’re not meant to be doing anything. And it was Vivienne Westwood who had just arrived. They were clapping for the queen of punk.
Jessie Heyman, executive editor at Vogue.com
I remember my first Pre-Met Party in 2015—the party Vogue hosts the weekend before the Met Gala. It was kind of amazing to see Vogue descend on a place like that. At that time I was like: Are you famous or do you work at Vogue? I don’t know! I had only been at Vogue for a few months and everyone was mingling with celebrities. One editor was sitting with Em Rata, and I was so confused, like, how do you two know each other? Do people at Vogue really interact with with celebrities, like, on the regular?!