Denver's homegrown duds designer Gabriel Conroy debuted his latest (and, some said, greatest) collection Friday with an eye-popping parade of pieces that will walk the catwalk during the first Aspen Fashion Week, Sunday through March 5.

La Rumba at Ninth and Acoma set the scene while the see-and-be-seen social set got the sneak peek at the women's clothing that Conroy described as "Marie Antoinette meets Adam Ant."

The collection, which one experienced fashion observer deemed "his most impressive collection to date," included gorgeous jackets that ranged from sleek trenches to elegant velvet evening coats to flirty cropped looks paired with jeans.

Dresses were more understated than those he's shown before but still carried Gabriel's trademark touches - a silk houndstooth dress was dotted with gold spiked studs, his signature corset lacing ran up the back of a slinky gown, a black jersey short dress got a romantic touch with a satin ribbon at the asymmetrical neckline. Think vampy meets va-va-va- voom.

Conroy burst onto Denver's fashion scene in 2000 largely due to social-scenery's Holly Kylberg, who recognized the budding talent and boosted his profile by wearing his pieces to several top-notch events around town. That triggered custom orders from other Denver fashionistas, including Andi Leahy and Denise Cohen. In 2004, Conroy designed the silver wedding reception gown that Sharon Magness wore when she married Ernie Blake.

B'jewel, a high-end women's boutique in Aspen, is the exclusive retailer for the Conroy collection. More info: gabrielconroy.com.

BRAVO HOSEA: Bravo TV's Top Chef finalist Hosea Rosenberg will be on hand for a meet-and- greet and episode-watching party, beginning at 7 tonight at the West End Tavern, 926 Pearl St., Boulder. Rosenberg, top toque at Jax Fish House in Boulder, made it to the final three contestants going spatula-to-spatula for the $100,000 grand prize and Top Chef title.

Rosenberg, along with Top Chef contestant and Boulder chef Melissa Harrison, also will make an appearance during the Top Chef reunion show March 3. Both chefs work for David Query's Big F Restaurant Group.

In addition to watching the show and crossing all our fingers and toes that Hosea takes down Stefan and Carla, activities include bingo, door prizes and Hosea- and Melissa-inspired cocktails. More info: thewestendtav ern.com. Go Hosea!

THE SEEN: The Pretenders' lead singer, Chrissie Hynde, and the band staying at the Hotel Teatro on Monday night prior to their Tuesday concert at the Paramount Theatre. Bass player Nick Wilkinson and guitarist James Walbourne shopped at Rockmount Ranch Wear, home of the snap-front Western shirt, on Monday.

Boston Celtics players boarding their bus Monday at The Ritz-Carlton Denver on their way to face (and beat) the Nuggets.

Famed interior designer Charles Faudree checking out the furniture and furnishings at The Collection, Ninth and Broadway, on Monday.

EAVESDROPPING on two men in their 60s talking about the aches and pains of growing older at Deno's Mountain Bistro in Winter Park: "I've discovered that Ibuprofen is a new food group."

Listen to Penny Parker on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630).