NEW YORK, Sep 9, 2002/ --- It felt more like a movie premiere than a major boutique opening when Alexander McQueen threw the official opening of his first American boutique.

Alexander McQueen's Flagship Store, New York

Crowds of fans and the merely curious crowded around the entrance to the cerebral retro-futurist store in the meatpacking district to witness the hip and the handsome, including Naomi Campbell, Alicia Keys, Lisa Marie, Karen Elson, Moby and Carmen Kass, come to pay their compliments to McQueen, looking lean and mean in a white tank and khaki cargo pants.

Some didn't stay long. "I'm outta here!" screeched Campbell to her publicist, as she dashed past snapping paparazzis into an awaiting black SUV.

Outside the store, the house of McQueen had installed a huge screen on which were projected a succession of "greatest hits" images from the designer's past collections - everything from the Mad Scientist show in the Sorbonne's medical school to his Matador collection, which marked the birth of his new house.

"I wanted to take over the neighborhood," said McQueen, who directed the montage of his finest moments himself.

The prize for the most outrageous look had to go to Keys, who appeared in a big, messy afro and bizarre patchwork denim and leather motorcycle jacket plastered with NY Giants logos, the same one she wore on stage in the NFL season opener concert in Times Square.

Post-opening, McQueen's meatpackers headed to Bungalow 8 for late-night dancing - and drinking.

Alexander McQueen's Flagship Store, New York

Alexander McQueen

Alicia Keys

Carmen Kass