More than 1,000 Gucci fans came out in droves from the sour weather into a high-caliber atmosphere that filled all four levels of the enormous 1,500 square meter (nearly 15,000 square feet) space, recently renovated in the company's latest design concept.

Models donned in satin slashed gowns from the fall Gucci collection were encased in glass cages where they frolicked, danced, flirted and guzzled champagne.

Another "live performer," stationed on a white bear fur rug near one of the three staircases on the sprawling ground floor, played dominatrix with a life size ebony black panther ready to pounce, which she held in check on a black braided leash and a rhinestone Gucci dog collar. "I'm taking this here panther for a walk," she announced.

The models provided an eye-pleasing backdrop to the likes of Italian TV starlets Randy Ingerman and MTV's Kris & Kris mingling amongst soccer player Alessandro Costacurta and jewelry maven Silvia Damiani, who rubbed shoulders with President of the Camera della Moda, Mario Boselli.

Randy Ingerman(center) with Kris & Kris

Even the daughter of Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Barbara, showed up to fete the launch and took a glance at the made-to-order and limited edition handbags lining white lacquered resin shelves in the front entrance.

As the party level escalated and the martini consumption quadrupled, Gucci CEO Domenico de Sole explained the significance of the store opening: "We decided on Milan for our largest Gucci store because we are an Italian brand, and this is our home base," he said loudly, as Stephane Pompougnac (of Hotel Costes fame) pumped out the tunes belting out of the speakers behind him.

"A great opportunity came to us to expand our historical Gucci store and we're always quick to move on easy situations," De Sole added.

The monolithic structure, situated on the corner of Milan's posh Via Montenapoleone and Via Verri, is a renovated and expanded site of the former Gucci store, which was located on the same street.

As Gucci gobbled up property along both streets of the block, they were able to more than double their space, and bring every line in the brand under one roof (Gucci has since closed their 27 Montenapoleone address, which will be the new home to YSL early next year).

The store features Gucci's freshly minted design concept, a collaboration between Creative Director Tom Ford and trusted architect William Sofield.

The image make-over (which Tom Ford calls "a renovation of the design, not a cancellation of it") first bowed in New York's Madison Avenue location in September and was followed by Paris' Avenue Montaigne in October.

Future renovations, which Ford hopes will turn the stores into "modern classics" are planned for all of the company's most prominent flagships, the next being the Bond Street location in London.

Gucci's previous store look - hard-core chrome, glass, and Plexiglas touting slick minimalism - is still present in the revamped version, but its edge has been softened with the addition of new materials and contrasts.

One feels the transformation from antiseptic high gloss to more laid back luxury immediately upon entering the store.

Floors have been laid with cement-crusted pebbles, while black lacquer paneling (a staple late 90s look) is now interspersed with concrete blocks and natural dark veined wood.

Chocolate crocodile skin lines accessory cases and couches. Light-colored wood (previously a no-no) now finds its way into the vases, shelving and wall decoration, but the lighting - a study in geometric lines and cubes- remains classic Gucci territory.

A shift towards all things natural seems to be the pervading design trend of late. Two other brands in the Gucci Group portfolio, Bottega Veneta and YSL (which also happen to use the architectural services of William Sofield), have also taken a decidedly organic approach to their architecture, infusing woods and animal skins into their spaces.

But at the party, De Sole argued that, "all architects work with many brands. Sofield is a very talented man who follows the guidelines of each individual creative director."

So what happens when that creative director happens to be the same person (as is the case of Tom Ford for Gucci and YSL)? De Sole held strong: "If you look at the stores, you will see it is a completely different universe -different lines, color, and mood."

And, without a doubt, you'll notice a different size. Although the YSL stores are based on vertical lines, while Gucci's have horizontal orientation, the greatest visible differentiation is the sheer magnitude of the Gucci Milan emporium.

But thanks to its special nooks and cozy spaces (like the jewelry shop-in-shop with its own entrance on Via Verri), this is no department store.

Just ask the woman in the fur Eskimo hat and four inch Gucci alligator stilettos, who bravely pushed against tonight's mob to inquire about ordering a handbag in her favorite shade of ruched snakeskin.

Santo Versace

Barbara Berlusconi