Like most major red carpets, the CFDA Awards can be daunting, especially for designers who aren't used to getting mobbed by the press. Before last night's ceremony, we spoke to some nervous nominees (Irene Neuwirth, Billy Reid, Creatures of the Wind's Shane Gabier and Chris Peters), industry veterans (Diane von Furstenberg, Tommy Hilfiger), and lucky plus-ones (Lily Kwong, Busy Philipps, Erin Wasson), many of whom confessed to pregaming — you know, with alcohol — to combat red-carpet nerves. In light of John Waters's recent cross-country sojourn, we also asked about hitchhiking stories; unsurprisingly, Diane von Furstenberg had a few.