Patricia Altschul Once Had the Most "Fabulous with a Capital F" Met Gala Date Ever

The most fashionable event of the season is upon us. The Met Gala will be held on Monday, May 1, so get ready to see the most gorgeous gowns and the most fabulous people descend upon the museum's steps to celebrate the opening of the Costume Institute's spring exhibition celebrating Comme des Garçons designer Rei Kawakubo. 

And it's no surprise that Patricia Altschul experienced all the glitz and glamour of the Met Gala many times in the past. "Oh my gosh, I've been to at least 10 over the years," the Southern Charm matriarch said of the event during a recent interview with The Daily Dish. "I went with my husband [Arthur Altschul, who was on the board of the Metropolitan Museum of Art]. We took a table for many years." 

Patricia has rubbed elbows with fashion's elite at the Met Gala, including the late Oscar de la Renta. But the honor for the most interesting person she ever met at the Met Gala goes to her good friend, André Leon Talley, Vogue's larger-than-life contributing editor. "I went several times with André Leon Talley who, to me, is the most interesting person you could meet anywhere on the face of the Earth," she told The Daily Dish. "He is fabulous with a capital F. He is more fun than a barrel of monkeys."

During one such occasion in 2005, André found a Chanel couture gown designed by Karl Lagerfeld for Patricia to wear at the Los Angeles vintage boutique LILY et Cie, Patricia detailed in her new book, The Art of Southern Charm. "Thankfully, the confection of black organza and lace fit," she wrote. "The night of the gala, André picked me up in a Maybach towncar and I could barely get the dress through the door. The skirt was so voluminous that it filled the back seat and blocked the rear window!"

André has also been there for Patricia during her darkest times. Patricia wrote in her book that André was the only person who could cheer her up after the death of her husband, Arthur, in 2002. "After the funeral, he came to [her estate] Southerly for a weeklong visit and took charge in his inimitable way, insisting that we put on our caftans, eat pizza, and watch way too much television," she said in the book. "He was a wonderful distraction...until he left, and then it was time for me to accept my new status: widow." 

Patricia told The Daily Dish that it's in moments like that where André has shown her that he's a true friend. "He is a great friend. He's kind," Patricia gushed to The Daily Dish. "You see him on television, and he acts like the consummate diva, but in real life he is just down-to-earth, lovely, and a good friend." 

See Patricia's most fabulous fashion moments through the years, below.