Video games used to be reserved for spotty-skinned teenagers, D&D enthusiasts, and boys with bongs. But gaming has clearly permeated basement walls. Its infectious allure has made its way to the unlikely gamer–- and she's wearing lip gloss.

It's a Monday night and the Library Room at Buddakan is abuzz with perfectly styled publicists and fashion editors teetering in red-soled stilettos amidst other tastemakers and big names like actress, Anna Chlumsky, of My Girl fame. The fashion-industry crowd have gathered for the launch of Pensey, a sexy, mysteriously whimsical collection designed by Christina Minasian.

Tucked away in a corner, a striking blond in a perfectly fitting black-and-white DVF floral wrap feverishly taps at the screen of some slick, black handheld device. Seemingly oblivious to the champagne passed nearby, it looks like she's playing a video game. As it turns out, she is.

Angie Banicki, 29, is a celebrity publicist for Harrison and Shriftman, who regularly hosts what she refers to as "Sunday Fundays,” where friends come over to play Guitar Hero or sports games, throw back a few, and have some yucks. This news comes as a bit of a shock, as you'd have better luck finding this woman on the pages of Vogue than in an arcade slurping an Icee.

As Angie segues into praise for her own newly purchased Daryl K high-waist shorts and her favorite William Rast jeans, two glossy well-dressed girls interrupt to report that five Nintendo DS Lite consoles have gone missing. The coveted and presumably stolen items were to have been gifted by the evening's unlikely sponsor, Nintendo.

Turns out Minasian is a serious gamer herself. It's hard to imagine the bird-like girl, wearing a pale pink, fitted strapless dress of her own design, enjoying action-oriented games on her Nintendo Wii. She's ultimately hooked, however, on Nintendo DS and games that exercise her mind.

Among her favorites is Brain Age, a mental exercise game inspired by the work of prominent Japanese neuroscientist Dr. Ryuta Kawashima. Its features-- math problems, picture drawing, and unscrambling letters-- are designed to stimulate the brain, ideal for competitive career women.

Minasian goes on to explain the convergence of fashion and gaming when she points out that her black satin and gold fringe handbag was chosen for its perfect fit for her hand-held console. It becomes clear: this room is scattered with gamers, they just happen to be high-fashion, career-oriented, successful women.

Jennie Albano, 29, a fan of fighting games like Tekken (think Mortal Kombat) was reluctant to try Guitar Hero before she got it home: "I played for 17 hours straight. The next day I bought a second guitar, and Guitar Hero I. My friends were concerned I might have a problem." However, she's convinced gaming increases joy: "I can kill it on 'Sweet Child 'O Mine.' I'm almost at 100 percent,” she says. Gaming, however, doesn't interfere with Albano's love of Christian Louboutin's four-inch platforms.

Noelia Murphy, 35, prefers brainteasers and "any game involving shooting". Like most addicts, she seems undeterred by side affects. "After playing Galaga, my ring finger sometimes goes numb," she goes on. "And when I started playing Sudoku on my DS, I developed an eye twitch." But she plays on.

It seems the benefits of gaming touch all areas of a girl's life. "Video games are inextricably tied to my dating life," says Noelia. Years ago she kept disappearing during a date to play Galaga. Shockingly, she never heard from the guy again. (Although a year later they enjoyed a short-lived reunion) Later tonight she has a date "to play video games at his house."

Katie Cray, 29, swings her Rachel Bilson-esque brown hair and settles across from Angie in a dress so sweet it belongs on a sexy Donna Reed. She thinks women are finding it more fashionable to have fun. "We are so serious, so busy and over-stimulated. Games give us an opportunity for fun, but we still get to exercise our minds." Minasisan agrees, noting that her brain age is "younger than my real age."

Video games are perfect to pass the time, to get guys–- or lose them, as the case may be. And, of course, there are the perks of brain stimulation and improved hand-eye coordination. But it seems that at the end of the day, women just want to play games.

~Lisa Germinsky