It's been more than two decades since Christian Lacroix sketched his original poufy cocktail dress, but his new 57th Street store—his first in New York—was well worth the wait. "What a fantastic city," said the designer at his Thursday-evening opening party. "So alive, so young." An entire spectrum of ages—from barely legal models to ladies who could remember his early days—came out to fête Lacroix at a rooftop dinner at the Gramercy Park Hotel.

Diane von Furstenberg, Anh Duong, Amanda Brooks, and Blaine Trump took turns saying their hellos while another Christian —that would be Louboutin—worked the room. Not that Lacroix minded; he was juggling quite a few gal pals. When he greeted Jessica Stam, the model jokingly pushed him away, crying, "I thought I was your favorite Jessica. What's this I hear about you being with another one tonight?" She was referring to Sarah Jessica Parker, who spent most of her time with the man of honor. "What a perfect date," Lacroix sighed. "And a perfect evening."

— Derek Blasberg