The doors of Bottega Veneta’s slick duplex shop at Fifth Avenue and 55th Street opened on Tuesday night with a Champagne-and-caviar (cleverly bundled in blinis) fund-raiser for the soon-to-open Baryshnikov Arts Center.

The center’s effortlessly charming namesake put in an appearance, chatting gaily with Bottega’s German creative director, Thomas Maier (who designed the cover for American Express’s new Centurion magazine). Mr. Baryshnikov’s “Sex and the City” co-star, Sarah Jessica Parker, joined the two a bit later. She must have sprinted from the premiere of husband Matthew Broderick’s latest project, “The Last Shot” – uncharacteristically, she didn’t even change her frock between fetes.

When a light mist descended from hidden nozzles in the ceiling, Mr. Baryshnikov wondered aloud (in an utterly unconcerned tone) if there was a fire somewhere. Perhaps the scented candles burning on every surface triggered the sprinkler system?

After six Bottega-free weeks – the Madison Avenue store closed July 1 – guests fawned over the signature basket-weave leather accessories of the Italian luxury house. From the white-on-white invitation to steel-lined leather dog dishes, nearly everything in sight bore the crisscross pattern. Many complimented the boutique’s design; it’s is just a block north of parent Gucci’s travertine marble outlet.

Spotted in the crowd was a trio fashion publishing heavies: the International Herald Tribune’s Suzy Menkes (in a navy silk jacket and silver slip-ons), a pregnant Kate Betts of Time magazine (showing a bit of tummy despite her demure black suit), and Ms. Bett’s successor as editor at Harper’s Bazaar, Glenda Bailey. Bergdorf Goodman Fashion Director Robert Burke hopped over from his office across the street.

Also seen were Amy Fine Collins, Mary Louise Parker, Mary J. Blige, Vanessa Getty, Daphne Guiness, and Tinsley and Minnie Mortimer.