In this material world, what could be better than fashion with a cause? Local designer Ashley Ishii, owner and creator of La Pistil, is producing her lady-flash romper design to help Africa. For every romper she sells, she's giving the whole $30 to City of Joy, a project that offers safe harbor to women who are victims of rape and torture in the Democratic Republic of Congo. City of Joy is a collaboration between Panzi Hospital in Bukavu, DRC, V-day, the nonprofit founded by "Vagina Monologues" author Eve Ensler, and UNICEF. "I feel truly blessed that I can use La Pistil to help make a step in that direction," says Ishii. "I've always wanted to involve myself in stopping violence against women."

To buy a romper, go to www.lapistil.etsy.com. For more information on City of Joy, go to www.vday.org.

— Lacy Matsumoto

MONSTER'S WALL

Did you know Los Angeles street artist Buff Monster is a Punahou grad? Well, he is, and he was in town this month for a one-night show at cool-design emporium Split Obsession (Koko Marina, 395-3380). He left behind a wall full of "Wet Dreams," his series of his mammary-topped signature figures. Done in cotton-candy colors on wood, the paintings, the descendants of Keith Haring's radiant babies, are a seductive mix of cute and corrupt. And at just $200, they're a bargain for budding art collectors.

— Lesa Griffith