New York designer Chris Benz is the light of the party at Brett Ratner's digs

HOURS after young New York designer du jour Chris Benz landed in L.A., he was living the Hollywood high life, mixing it up at a party hosted for him by director Brett Ratner.

Ratner, notorious for his love of night life, spent the evening holed up inside his manse entertaining "older guests," while Benz schmoozed like there was no tomorrow, celebrating the debut of his vividly hued collection, which is so well-suited to California, at Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills.

The young Hollywood guest list skewed slightly random -- save for a standard Lindsay Lohan sighting -- with Jenna Elfman, Paz Vega and Cuba Gooding Jr. Newly crowned "Project Runway" champ Christian Siriano hung out with friends by the bar while onetime Ratner fiancée Rebecca Gayheart held court at a round table.

It was hard to tell from the sea of colorless frocks whether guests were there for Benz -- known for his brilliant use of color -- or the Moët.

Benz didn't care.

"I'm having a great time," he said of his L.A. visit, the first in five years. "I'm going to Venice this weekend. I can't wait."

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Erin Weinger