The new Tootsies in West Ave proved its party prowess Wednesday night when the hip emporium hosted a surging pride of young social lions attending the annual Women of Wardrobe "Sizzling Soirée." More than 300 women and a sprinkling of men prowled through the designer-packed aisles for a lively night of shopping and socializing.

The pulsating beats from DJ Hardware's turntable provided the urban chic soundtrack that hit just the right notes for this youthful crowd. CW 39's Maggie Flecknoe, the Houston Chronicle's Joy Sewing and Fox 26's Melinda Spaulding hosted the high-fashion evening that enjoyed its share of designer star power.

Glam fashion talents Whitney Port and Shirin Askariand the dashing David Peck held court in various corners of the vast store, where they were surrounded by their wares that were just the ticket for this fashion-savvy crowd. Jewelry designer Claudia Lobao, another glam factor in the evening's rich tableau, brought in her full stock of creative wares for the party showcase. Tootsies donated 10 percent of sales from the evening to Dress for Success, the big momma non-profit of which WOW is its youthful counterpart.

And shopping there was. After all, who could resist the siren call of the fall fashions from Port, Askari and Peck or the stunning designs from top labels such as Givenchy, Versace, Cavalli and Etro? And the shoes, and the handbags, and the ballgowns and all the rest of it that Tootsies has to offer. With such energy in the house, one simply had to heat up those credit cards.

The evening was a huge success on all counts. And how could it go wrong with a committee that included WOW president Lindsey Brown, Kristy Junco Bradshaw, Lauren Levicki, Isabel David, Libbie Cagle, Carrie Carson, Hasti Taghi, Sharron Melton, Beth Zdeblick and more of the stylish city's trensetters.

As Houston Dress for Success founder Nancy Levicki said as she looked over the glamorous gathering, "This is my favorite part of the whole thing, all of these great young women."