A Party With Real Flash

The Scene: Ultra-hip, ultra-crowded party to celebrate photographer Greg Gorman’s new book, “Volume I,” Tuesday night at Muse, where black and white Gorman photos of Divine, Andy Warhol, Pee-wee Herman, Michelle Pfeiffer and Michael Jackson decorated the walls. Celebs, pouty-lipped models, artists, art directors, writers and photographers crammed themselves into the restaurant to scarf up hors d’oeuvres and wish Gorman well. Although copies of the book were available for sale in the back (at $50), few guests were seen shelling out the dough.

How Crowded Was It? So crowded that . . .: “Either the guy behind me is real friendly or he’s a pickpocket.” . . . “This is like the 405 at 5.” . . . “Now I know what salmon feel like.” . . . “I think I did the lambada without even knowing it.”

Who was there: Mickey Rourke and date-mate Carre Otis, Louie Anderson, Kevin West, Raquel Welch, Mario Tamayo, Ricki Lake, David Hockney, Michael Feinstein, Christian Slater, Barbara Leary, Drew Barrymore and mother Jaid, Roddy McDowall, Richard Edson, Martin von Haselberg, Jill St. John, Katie Wagner, Julian Sands, Bruce Vilanch, the Hollywood Kids and Jimmy James. A few people ran into their aerobics instructors.

Dress Mode: Black, of course, and leather, natch, with a smattering of denim. “I have to get a leather jacket, I’m sorry,” moaned one woman who came without any hide. Exec-types sported double-breasted suits and the requisite retro tie, while some opted for the ‘60s “Drugstore Cowboy” look.

The Food: Waiters passed trays of duck and glass-noodle won tons; croutons with caviar; quesadilla with zucchini, eggplant and three cheeses; filet mignon with peanut vinaigrette; giant shrimp with bell pepper preserves, and chicken wings with Stilton dip. Anyone who made it to the bar in the crush was heartily congratulated.

Quoted: “With Greg you know you’re going to get the right shot,” said comedian Louie Anderson, himself a Gorman subject. “He connects with you immediately, and you can tell from these photos that he goes for the depth beyond the fluff.”

On Photographer as Celebrity: “I think it’s kind of amusing that in a city like L.A. or New York,” Gorman said, “people who photograph stars are in the limelight as well. It’s sort of guilt by association. And I’m comfortable with that as long as it doesn’t intrude too much on my personal life.”