When Andrew Scott calls me over WhatsApp, he is walking the streets of New York’s Upper East Side, foraging for a bagel: "There's got to be one around here somewhere!"
Fresh from his star turn in Netflix’s Ripley, the Irish actor is in Manhattan to attend one of the biggest events on the fashion calendar: the Met Gala.
“Tonight will be the first time I've ever been,” he says. “Everything's shrouded in secrecy. There's definitely a musical act, so I'm looking forward to seeing who's playing.”
One thing he’s known for a while is what he's wearing. “I'm going with Versace,” Scott says. I later learn he means he’s going on the arm of Donatella Versace herself, not simply as a guest of the brand. “I'm wearing a sleeveless jacket with Medusa buttons, and [the trousers have] got a bit of a flare to them. I find Versace’s clothes to be really sexy, really fun and a little bit edgy.”
How does his look conform to this year's dress code, 'The Garden of Time'? That's where the accessories come in, he tells me. “We're doing jewellery from Boucheron. We've got these intricately made insect brooches that look incredible – they'll look like they've landed on my shoulder. It's all very playful.”
Scott admits that wearing such fine jewellery does make him anxious. “I have to be really careful – I don't want to lose any of these insects, or someone to smoosh me thinking there's a [real] wasp on my shoulder.” At least it would be a story, right? “What, that Dwayne the Rock Johnson smashed my wasp to death?”
Now for a 'What If' question – the kind of on-the-spot TikTok bait that Scott is well-versed in swerving: what would the dress code be if he were in charge?
“Wow. Oh my God this question, Joseph. Are you able to answer these f****** questions? If someone was to ask you that, would you be like, ‘Oh, I'd like it to be badminton. Badminton babes.’ Go as a shuttlecock.”
Another impossible question: 'What is your favourite Met Gala look of all time?' After much deliberation, he lands not on a look, but on a peer. “I think Eddie Redmayne always looks amazing – he's got an amazing style.”
And will he be hitting the after-party circuit? “I'm going to see where the night takes me. The best thing for me is to never chase a party. I just see where the vibe is and I'll know there will be some fun to be had."
A few hours after I virtually accompanied Scott on his quest for carbs, I discover a missed call and a 33-second voice note sitting in my WhatsApp.
“Hey Joe, it's Andrew Scott here, hope you're well. I just wanted to say I'm also wearing a couple of gold rings that my mother, who died really recently, always wore. They remind me of her. One of them she made herself, so, I just wanted to say that I'm wearing that so I have her with me on the evening as well. That's important. I just wanted to let you know.”
Look: Custom Atelier Versace
Styling: Warren Alfie Baker
Grooming: Victoria Bond
Photography: Ramon Christian & Andrew Archeos
