Gucci in The Galleria felt more like a chic nightspot than Italian retailer on Thursday, though there was no denying the allure of the fine leather goods and winter fashions that seduced. It was the brand's 90th anniversary bash — a celebration of longevity and the new store design while benefiting Houston Children's Charity.

With Sheridan Williams and daughters Kristen Nix and Lauren Clark at the helm as co-hosts, the invitation-only fete drew a glam crowd bent on burning up the credit cards. By night's end, close to $100,000 in merchandise had walked out the door.

Loving the party scene and the commerce were Gucci top brass in from New York — Laura Lendrum, America president, and Roberto Paz, executive vice president of retail for Gucci America and head of Gucci Latin America.

For show, the firm brought in a handful of artisans from headquarters in Florence to assemble a number of the brand's most iconic handbags on-site and to provide personalized hand embossing as well as attach plaques with "Houston" and the date.

Those extras were all that Karen Hood needed to make her purchase of a snakeskin Jackie Heritage Bag, the only one of its kind in the country at the moment, according to the sales person. It was something of a fifth anniversary gift from hubby Byron Hood.

Youthful partygoers mingling in the sleek new setting accented with rosewood and marble, ribbed glass and smoked mirrors included Laurie and Teddy Dykoski, Katie Wynn, Colin Moussa, Michelle Yeglic, Aubrie Tabrizi, Suzanne Weaver and Sally Dillee.

Fashionable faces in the crowd included Patrice Ferguson and John Camp, Francesca Bellavia and Filippo Alberti, Susan Hart, Alina Garcia, Mary Ann and David McKeithan, Vanessa Sendukas, Jan Carson, Onda Maori and Dawn and Dr. Walter Lowe.