PartyLines- photographs by Patrick McMullan

When you were in design school, what was the funniest thing that happened to you? “They wouldn't graduate me, actually. It was quite funny. I recently got a diploma.” —Narciso Rodriguez

—Vera Wang

Is the sluggish economy affecting business? “I don't want to sound, like, snotty or anything, but our business is up. We think maybe it's because we're a designer but not as expensive. I don't know, but knock on wood, maybe it's helping us.” —Cynthia Rowley

—Matthew Modine

—Gabi

Michelle Obama wore your dress to the Vogue fund-raiser. Should it come to be, are you planning an inaugural dress for her? “Oh, who's to say? I'll dress her at home; I'd be happy to dress her at home.” —Isabel Toledo

—Maria Cornejo

This is the biggest party you've ever had here. Are you nervous to have all these people in your place? “Of course! I'm afraid someone's going to fall out the window or the ceiling's going to cave in and we'll all end up on the third floor. I don't know what could happen; I'm a very nervous guy.” —Ruben Toledo

—Glenda Bailey

You were with Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas for six years. How does it feel to be back? “I think I was the missing element in the puzzle of downtown New York. People were freaking out that there was nothing going on—that's because I was not here.” —Joey Arias

—Simon Doonan

—Valerie Steele

Columbia is being criticized for gobbling up real estate. How is F.I.T. handling expansion? “We're being very creative and staying in our footprint. We're building in between our buildings, actually.” —Dr. Joyce Brown

—Yigal Azrouël

Did Tim Gunn say “make it work” at Parsons? “No, not really. But he was very nice. He would always say the right things.” —Christian Cota