NEW YORK, Feb 9, 2006/ FW/ --- The catwalk previews might have been going on, but last Tuesday night, A-listers and Hollywood celebrities flocked to 647 Fifth Avenue to attend the gala party reopening of Versace’s flagship store in Manhattan.

The 20,00 square foot store (1260 square meters) over four floors was closed for renovation for 6-months and last Tuesday was everyone’s first glimpse of the store, that also gave an inkling of the new direction that the Italian fashion house is taking.

Versace CEO Giancarlo Di Risio said: “We are looking to create an environment in the boutique where the architecture complements the refinement and elegance of Versace. This important landmark boutique in New York is the perfect showcase for our new approach to retail, which is designed to make shopping at Versace both inspirational and accessible. The renovation also demonstrates our strong commitment to the US market.”

The House of Medusa, as it is fondly called by the fashionista set has been staging its own revival under the creative helm of Donatella Versace. Since the Spring 2006 collection (now available in stores), the Versace silhouette had been redefined and refined.

While keeping the spirit of the house, Donatella is also giving it new elegance and sophistication, and that is reflected in the new Versace flagship store celebrated last Tuesday.

Modern, sleek and refined are the three adjectives that best describe 647 Fifth Avenue Versace address.

With the architecture mirroring the space of the recently redesigned Milan flagship store and sees the unusual combination of cream marble, used for the floor-paving, light grey stucco ‘Marmorino’ on the walls it is also essentially New York with one and half story windows opened to the sun, just like a spacious Manhattan loft.

The retail space covers 4 floors with the fifth floor featuring a terrace and a lounge. To make the whole space light, the ceiling was coated with white enamel. For drama, black lacquered wooden furniture and clear ‘Antelio’ crystal were used.

The atmosphere is rendered even more sophisticated by the use of light as a decorative element.

It was in this setting that guests gathered for the gala evening. The guest list read like a who’s who in film, television and music with Asia Argento, Benicio del Toro, Cindy Crawford, Claire Danes, Dita von Teese, Elettra Rossellini, Halle Berry, Harry Connick Jr., Heather Graham, Hilary Duff, Joel Madden, Karolina Kurkova, Kate Hudson, Jennifer Lopez, Maggie Q, Maxwell, Milla Jovovich, Naomi Campbell, Nicholas Cage, Nicolette Sheridan, Rachel Weisz, Rupert Everett, Sophie Dahl and Trudie Styler.

New York guests also included Amanda Hearst, Amy Sacco, Claire Bernard, Ivanka Trump, Jacqueline Sackler, Lisa Airan, Olivia Chantecaille, Tinsley Mortimer and Zani Gugelmann attending.

Commenting the newly re-opened flagship store, designer Donatella Versace said: “Since we opened the Fifth Avenue boutique in 1995, it’s become one of the most important Versace flagships in the world and so it is only fitting that we should mark its renovation with a party. There is a glamorous and modern spirit at Versace, and I cannot think of a better place to celebrate it than New York.”

The store will carry the Versace main line for both men and women, and Versace accessories, as well as Versace precious items, Versace sunglasses and the Versace Home Collection.

Jennifer Lopez

Kim Alice & Nicolas Cage

Kate Hudson

Rupert Everett & Donatella Versace

Rupert Everett & Naomi Campbell