Welcome to Yamashiro's: Janet Jackson in Alexander McQueen

Two weeks ago, I was shopping on Melrose (the good side) and noticed the new Alexander McQueen store. I peeked in the window (it was closed) and besides the fabulous McQueen chiffon-printed caftan gowns and the draped fuschia cocktail numbers that were hanging delicately in the store, I spotted the much-talked about Richard Bryce Muir metal nude sculpture descending from the store's heavenly ceiling. I made a mental note: I must come back and visit.

Cut to this last week, my good friend John Wade, who manages the nearby Marc Jacobs stores (you may also remember him from my season of Project Runway), called me with the news that it was the day of the "official" store opening party and he was determined to go--one way or another. Mainly because he was curious to see the store, and also because he loves the band that was playing, the Gossip. The last conversation I had with him that day went something like this: "I will call you back if I get in so you can meet me there..." He never did. So I assume:
a) He got in and had a fabulous Queeny time and forgot to call me back, or
b) He did not.
Alex's Angels: Eve and Joy Bryant at Alexander McQueen L.A. store opening

But from the looks of these photos, a lot of A-list celebs, including the silk Kimono-clad Janet Jackson and the Gossip singer, Beth Ditto (in a custom McQueen butterfly-printed caftan), got in and got to take in the new store on this haute Melrose Avenue block. Others spotted were the gorgeous Eve and actress Joy Bryant, who were smiling ear-to-ear next to the beaming (and sexy) Alexander McQueen.
Queen Butterfly: Beth Ditto from the Gossip in McQueen