Yaz Hernández was so devoted to the Quinceañera theme of the El Museo del Barrio gala that when the waiters at Cipriani 42nd Street brought out the birthday cakes, she looked like a delighted 15-year-old at her coming-of-age party.

In fact, Ms. Hernández, a co-chairwoman of Thursday’s event and a museum board member, has helped push the museum forward into a sophisticated, adult phase of life. To wit: the gala brought in $850,000, plus a $3 million gift from the Unanue family.

The museum, which turns 40 next year, seems to increase its impact every day, under the leadership of the director, Julian Zugazagoitia; the board chairman, Tony Bechara; the board president, Carmen Ana Unanue, and board members such as Ms. Hernández and Estrellita Brodsky.

When completed in 2009, renovations — which, sadly, currently require a hiatus on exhibitions — will enhance the institution’s offerings: producing acclaimed exhibits on Latin, Caribbean, and Puerto Rican art; educating schoolchildren of Hispanic and non-Hispanic heritage, and presenting cultural events for broad audiences.

But back to the gala’s Quinceañera theme, which called for women to wear white gowns and tiaras. Wenke Thoman Sterns and Mayra Hernández wore their wedding gowns, but regal, not marital, bliss was the dominant theme.

“I feel like a queen,” Ms. Brodsky said.

“I feel like I should call everyone darling,” Sarah Wolfe said.

The Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa surveyed the room full of bobbing, sparkling heads. “The monarchy has not disappeared,” he said. “It is still very much alive in the minds and hearts of people, even in countries that have no monarchic tradition.”

Yet some guests wore their tiaras lightly.

“My tiara is much lighter than Queen Elizabeth’s,” Tracey Riese said.

Priya Mahadeo said she didn’t feel different in a tiara, because “I’m always a princess.”

Simon Doonan wore a tiara Venetian-style, as a mask. “It makes me feel glamorous and mysterious,” Mr. Doonan said.

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada wore a pink dress and a green tiara. “I wear them every day,” she said. “I’m obsessive about them. I own about 50.”

The editor in chief of Latina magazine, Mimi Valdés Ryan, did not wear a tiara, nor did the girl standing next to her: 16-year-old Karina Pasian, a Dominican-American of Washington Heights, whose debut album on Def Jam Recordings, “First Love,” is due out August 19.

The album’s first single, “16 @ War,” describes a harsh world of “mad mothers,” “bad air in my lungs,” and girls who “feel unpretty and constantly hate each other.” It also describes a girl’s longing for something better: “I want you to love my mind / my smile / my style / I want you to know the best of me.” Now those are the words of a real-life princess.

agordon@nysun.com