New York, February 15, 2009 – Giorgio Armani was not the only European to sweep New York Fashion Week off its feet.  British designer Matthew Williamson opened a chic new store in the meatpacking district, and what a party it was.

Williamson was nowhere to be found when we arrived at the party – it seems he was picking up Lindsay Lohan; the two made a grand, flashbulb-popping entrance.  Heidi Klum swanned in, but couldn’t stay too long.  However, Lohan, Rachel Zoe and Mischa Barton hung around all evening, ogling the clothing and accessories. 

The party was so crowded that we never encountered Katharine McPhee or Santogold in our wanderings throughout the store, although we kept hearing that they had come. 

Williamson said that the boutique took two years from concept to reality.  “It’s a kind of new fresh start to show the American market what I’m about as a designer.  Exotic, escapism and a sense of, you know, buying clothes but having fun at the same time,” he told us.

Williamson calls New York his second home, and chose to show his collection here this season. 

Photos: Luisa Johns.PKI