Everyone who's anyone ...

LOUISA CLEAVE and CATHERINE MASTERS suss out the year's biggest bash - and who will be flashing tickets.

The closely guarded guest list for tonight's Louis Vuitton party includes Kiwi actress Lucy Lawless and American stars Mary-Louise Parker and Billy Crudup.

The 1200 guests will be picked up from Auckland's ferry terminal and taken across the harbour to a secret party venue - expected to be inside a vast marquee at the Navy's Devonport dry dock.

In past years the party - considered one of the most prestigious tickets on the international circuit - has been hosted on US Navy aircraft carriers and at Auckland's Civic Theatre.

Many local television stars contacted by the Weekend Herald had not received a ticket, but a person close to the event said there would be "quite a fair collection of local celebrities and identities".

Parker, whose movie credits include Fried Green Tomatoes, Bullets Over Broadway and Boys On the Side, is in New Zealand with partner Crudup, from Waking the Dead and Almost Famous.

Also here for the gala is Australia-based New Zealand fashion designer Collette Dinnigan, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon actor Chen Chang and Taiwanese actress Niki Wu.

The Prime Minister is not attending the party, but America's Cup Minister Trevor Mallard will be there.

The guest list also includes Team New Zealand members [including skipper Dean Barker and partner Mandy Smith] and the four remaining challenger syndicates, although the Weekend Herald understands syndicates were offended by an unusual allocation of scarce tickets.

"It seems to be the new fashionable thing not to invite people with partners," said one invitee, who sent the ticket back because her husband was not invited.

Oracle was given so few tickets it divided them up by drawing them out of a hat and in some cases receptionists have been invited while some sailors missed out.

"But I think you've got to look at it as being the Louis Vuitton party rather than the Louis Vuitton Cup party. It's a party for their fashion house rather than the America's Cup," said a source.

The editors of international glossy mags Australian Vogue and Tatler Singapore are being flown to Auckland for the event, and American entertainment network E! is broadcasting live from the venue.

Former Baywatch actress Nicole Eggert is fronting the E! Entertainment special and will interview party guests.

Security is high and guests will be wise to take along ID.

Enclosed with the invitation is this warning: "For security reasons and upon special request from the police, please note that your ticket is non-transferable and you may be asked to present identification to event organisers. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation."