Dita and Mary J. at the “Maison”

Despite the current retail doldrums, not to mention Burberry’s competing event in Beverly Hills, Catherine Malandrino managed to pull off a decent showing at the opening of her new West Hollywood concept store, Maison Malandrino. The party officially started when the designer’s longtime muse Mary J. Blige, a co-host of the party, made her entrance in a (surprisingly demure) black jersey dress with cascading paillettes.

Holding hands with Blige and an even more lacquered-looking-than-usual Dita von Teese, Malandrino blew out the candles on an elaborate chocolate cake. In one of the store’s back rooms, In Treatment’s Melissa George (wearing Balenciaga) and Entourage‘s Perrey Reeves (stylist in tow) sifted through the racks together. Von Teese eventually made her way to the store’s garden area to take in the bongo drum circle (you heard that right), while Michelle Trachtenberg was seen slipping out early, gift bag in hand.

Photos by Jean-Paul Aussenard/Wireimage