The Associated Chinese University Women know how to put on a fashion show. To mark their 76th anniversary, this month they're presenting "Circle of Love" featuring fashions from Calista by Cotton Cargo modeled by a bevy of beauty queens.

Broadway performer Kristian "Miss Saigon" Lei has put together a program of music and dance by the Honolulu Broadway Babies and Women of the World.

Boutiques will open at 9 a.m. with lunch at noon, followed by the fashion show and entertainment. The event happens May 26 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Tapa Ballroom. Tickets: $60. Contact Nora Chong at 988-6197. All proceeds will go to ACUW's scholarship and community service fund, the Kakaako Homeless Shelter, Red Cross and Food Bank. Details: http://acuwhawaii.org.

CRAZY SHIRTS TARGETS GLOBAL WARMING

Global warming must be true — it's on Crazy Shirts. Eric Robison, the company's creative director (and former Disney commercial artist) has created two new designs addressing the topic.

A red globe comes with one of two slogans: "Save Our Planet" or "Global Warming Sucks." The other design features a playful polar bear on an iceberg and the words "Stay Cool."

A portion of the sales will be donated to the Hawai'i Natural Energy Institute, a unit of the University of Hawai'i that is conducting research to find new forms of energy that would replace our dependence on fossil fuels.

The shirts are available in men's and women's sizes and retail for $24 to $29. The images also appear on stickers, hats and messenger bags. The line is sold in Crazy Shirts stores and online at www.crazyshirts.com.

STRAIGHT FROM MAKAHA

Country girl Vicky Durand hand-dyes fabrics in her Makaha front yard, facing the beach. Tomorrow she treks to town for a special trunk show of her tropical textiles and garments — sarongs, scarves and skirts, as well as aloha print clothing — at Under a Hula Moon's new location in Ward Centre. Meet the designer from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Information: 596-4442.

MAUI FASHION UPDATE

Silk painter Diane Lane, based in Wailea, was featured in the April issue of "Coastal Living" magazine. The five-page spread of Lane and her artist husband, Ed, covers the couple's flight from their high-powered Arizona ad-exec life to pursue art a la Maui.

I can never visit Maui without stopping at year-old Water Lily in the Wailea Town Center. Owner and buyer Barbara Cipro just "gets it," stocking Island-lifestyle-friendly entertaining gifts, unusual accessories and clothing lines such as Nick and Zoe, Velvet, XCVI, Michael Stars and Telluride. She also carries jeans for real women. Her bath lines include Lollia and amusing "Sleep Deprived" bath soak and "Hormonally Challenged" body wash.

Upcountry in Makawao, another favorite boutique, Altitude, keeps evolving. Owner Jeannine de Roode carries bold Monies jewelry and Eileen Fisher clothing, along with Sarah Arizona, James Perse and Juicy Couture. Her buy is different from what you find on O'ahu. She has that indescribable French approach to style that carries over into everything she buys — tres chic.

TALK TO ME, HARRY WINSTON

As if receiving the award from Pacific Business News for "Businesswoman of the Year" wasn't enough, Susan Au Doyle, president and chief professional officer of Aloha United Way, was given a surprise gift of a Harry Winston diamond necklace — a one-carat diamond and platinum piece from the Loop collection.

During the May 10 event at the Hawai'i Convention Center, the unassuming Doyle exclaimed, "This is my first diamond ever."

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.