Where's the Fire?

Via Montenapoleone was thronged with Milanese last night hoping for a sight of Roberto Cavalli . When he finally arrived at his new flagship—at 16,200 square feet and five floors, it's the biggest RC store in the world—they erupted in cheers. But if the street outside was jammed, inside the boutique was even more packed. Guards did their best to direct traffic up and down the mother-of-pearl-inlaid staircases, but they were no match for the crowds.



Later, at Il Salumaio, where Cavalli and wife Eva hosted dinner, a much smaller crowd that included Samantha Barks , Isabeli Fontana , and Franca Sozzani gathered to toast the designer. Cavalli had caused a bit of a stir with the ring of fire at his show earlier in the day, but the only hint of smoke-related controversy at the dinner came from the one or two guests sneaking a cigarette.

—Nicole Phelps and Dirk Standen