[rock music]

[laughing]

- [laughs]

- [Interviewer] Very good!

- Okay.

[drum roll]

- Hey Anna!

Okay, I have a question.

Now, everybody knows that you are an incredible hostess,

but what is the coolest or most amazing party,

or event that you've thrown that nobody knows about?

- Certainly one of the coolest dinners

that I have ever given, and certainly nobody knows about it,

was when you and Justin came for dinner.

I think it was back in May 2009,

because Justin was, hosting with me the Met Gala that year,

which the theme was the Model as Muse,

and I traditionally give a very small dinner at my house

before hand, and you two came,

looking wonderful and glamorous.

And I think our other dinner guest was Marc Jacobs.

And then, for something that was a little bit more...

Crowded.

There was a party that I gave in my house in the country

to celebrate Hamish Bowles,

editor-at-large at American Vogues.

Being with Vogue for 25 years, and also his 50th birthday.

And we decided that the theme would be Great Gatsby,

and we were lucky enough to include Baz Luhrmann,

who had just, or was about to direct "The Great Gatsby"

at that time.

So, he orchestrated the whole evening,

including the arrival of Hamish on a Gatsby-like throne.

And, this he didn't orchestrate, but it was magically...

Part of the night.

My house looks onto the water

and there was the perfect, full Gatsby moon

looking out onto Hamish and his dinner companions.

- Hey Anna! I think we're at a time when we all understand

that we have too much stuff.

What's a good non-gift to give?

- Two things to think about for a non-gift.

Theater tickets to somebody who really enjoys

going to the theater, or to a musical, or to dance.

Something that they can,

and evening that they can truly enjoy

and also think of you.

And, if they're not so much

into going to Broadway or Off-Broadway,

I would recommend, if you can possibly arrange it,

a tour of an exhibition

that they would be interested in seeing.

Hopefully, given by a curator or somebody

who has real knowledge of that subject.

- Tell us, Anna, what are the rules of regifting?

- I think that regifting is totally fine

as long as you're transparent and honest about it.

You don't pretend that you actually thoughtfully went out

and combed Saks Fifth Avenue

to look for that particular gift.

But just say, "Somebody sent this to me,

"and I thought it was perfect for you."

- Hi Anna! What celebrity can I look to for my holiday style

inspiration this season?

- Great question. I don't think that you can go wrong

with the Duchess of Cambridge,

who always looks impeccable.

And I think right now when we're thinking very much

about styles that are a little more classic

and have a heritage feeling,

when you look at what she wears when she goes to church,

could be a Catherine Walker, dark red princess coat,

or when she has to go out at night

with her husband, something a little bit more glamorous

like a McQueen, but she always looks absolutely impeccable.

- Hey Anna! What's the worst gift you've ever received?

- The worst gifts that I've received

are the ones that, obviously have been picked out

not by the person who's sending it to you.

And that, you know that it was dictated to an assistant

or checked off by someone that's never met you,

has no relevance to you or to your life.

Surely, so much to give a donation in somebody's name

to the charity of their choice,

rather than some, goddamn kettle

that you've already received 50 of.

- Hey Anna, what's the best gift that you've ever received?

- So, I had a wonderful friend who came to stay with me

in the country, and I have a lot of bedrooms

that require, they're in barns,

they require separate keys,

and I couldn't find any of the keys

that particular weekend,

so none of my guests could get into their barns.

So, she spent a lot of time

carefully having made these amazing luggage tags

with keys attached and the name of the barns

on each differently colored leather tag.

And, I thought that was thoughtful, and useful and...

I hope she comes back every single weekend.

- Hi Anna! What's the best gift you've ever given?

- Well, I gave my husband a puppy once,

and he gave it back to me the next day.

[dog barks]

- So obviously, I thought it was a great gift,

but those sentiments were not shared

but I got to keep the dog.

- Hey Anna!

What's a good gift for my mother-in-law?

- Well, that's a tough question

because mother-in-laws can be tricky.

My advice is...

Find a wonderful photograph

of your partner with your mother-in-law,

find a fantastic frame, and present that.

Can't go wrong.

- Hi Anna!

Do you have any holiday traditions?

- Yes, I have one holiday tradition that I love,

and that every year I go down to the Dominican Republic

and I am always, very kindly, asked to give the trophy

to the local tennis tournament

to whoever the winner may be.

And I always make a point of bringing either sneakers

or tennis rackets to all the ball boys

who work at the local club.

- Hey Anna!

Do you have any tips for shopping for a new coat?

- Yes, absolutely. You should look at Vogue's November issue

where we have a wonderful shoot,

styled by Tabitha Simmons

and photographed by Dan Jackson,

and the coats are worn by Kendall Jenner,

and there's everything from a great little Burberry

check puffer to a Versace fake leopard coat,

Max Mara red military look,

and a wonderful Marc Jacobs top.

I really think there's a coat in there for everybody.

- Hey Anna. What's the best holiday vacation

you've ever taken?

- The best holiday vacation that I have ever taken

is always when I go away with my family.

- Hi Anna. What's a gift I can give my husband,

who thinks he knows everything about fashion?

What doesn't he know yet?

- Well, I have consulted GQ for your question.

And Will Will Welch, who's the Editor in Chief

of GQ says to tell your husband

that whatever he's wearing, it's too tight.

And that GQ recommends, for a holiday gift,

something that is oversized,

and that, for inspiration you should look

at the GQ Style cover of Tom Holland.

- Since you travel so much, do you have any packing tips?

- You're absolutely right, I travel all the time,

but I am the wrong, wrong person to ask that question

because I always, always over pack.

- Hi Anna! I'm throwing a party for Christmas.

What are your entertaining tips,

and what gets on your nerves?

- Well, first of all, what gets on my nerves

is when people cancel the day of,

with a really lame excuse.

And my advice is, make sure that when you seat them

for dinner, they are seated next to somebody that they know

and hopefully like, and somebody that you think

they are gonna be excited to meet.

And my other piece of advice, keep it moving.

[jazzy music]