The most important fashion accessory for the DiverseWorks "Retail Therapy" gala on Saturday was a designer shopping bag. After all, the fundraiser for the alternative art space took place in The Shops at Houston Center. And although the stores were closed, there was plenty of opportunity to browse and spend in the silent auction area.

As with most of DiverseWorks special events, costumes were encouraged and enough partygoers stepped out in designers labels (literally, labels sewn all over their clothing) and other interpretations of the theme to light up the mall where the shops were darkened.

Two of our faves were Trevor Ead and Stephen Hill, who dressed as Starbucks baristas complete with signature aprons and caps, finds from an eBay search. Carrying trays filled with Starbucks cups, the guys were actually mistaken for the real thing. Award for most outrageous goes to Lester Marks, dressed as a sloppy Santa with a rum bottle tucked in his duct tape belt.

Gala chairs Jared Lang, Momentum Audi honcho, and Cara Morales played it straight fashion-wise as did the honorees — art patrons Judy and Scott Nyquist and dancer Jane Weiner. Actually, Judy wore a Tootsies dress bag over her attire and an Adrienne Vittadini dress bag as apron in an outfit that looked surprisingly attractive.

As with any good mall experience, the evening climaxed in the newly-remodeled food court where ThunderPants, billed as the ultimate '80s band, provided the dance tunes and Massa's Seafood Grill provided the eats that came in paper bags and were served on cafeteria trays. And as in all classy malls, this night had a "glamour shot" photo both manned by Frank White Photography and complete with props.

The shopping throng included DiverseWorks exec Sixto Wagon, Victoria and Marshal Lightman, Birgitt Van Wijk, Rudy Avelar, Kellye Sanford and Fritz Lanham, Dr. Penelope Marks, Tracey and Patrick Keegan, Phoebe Fukutomi, Alison Rea and Anne and Michael Wilde.