Kailua resident Erika Ireland, designer of Hula-la swimwear, just keeps on getting great national press. When a hapai Britney Spears was seen romping in the ocean in a Hula-la bikini, the photos were splashed across several tabloids.

Now two bikinis from the sexy swimwear line have been selected for Oxygen magazine's July issue (on newsstands now) in a feature called "Hot Summer Fashions: Bathing Suits Perfect for You." Ooh la la!

FIRST FASHION FRIDAY

I'll show and tell how to Pack Light While Traveling in Style at noon today in Aloha Tower's atrium, as part of the shopping center's first fashion-themed monthly. Get more information at www.alohatower.com.

CHARISSE TORRES

Local jewelry designer Charisse Torres will be showing her custom handmade jewelry from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Global Village as part of Kailua's Second Sunday Art Walk. Torres will also custom design rings for customers with her signature Swarovski crystals and sterling silver during the event.

'SHINE FOR LIFE' SHOW

Vintage clothing by Spark and contemporary women's wear by Bamboo Sky will be the focus at "Shine for Life," a fashion show at 7 p.m. July 14 at the O Lounge.

In addition to the fashion, from 4 to 8 p.m. there will be capoeira and martial-arts demonstrations, and entertainment by Filmore News. Talks by DARE and healthcare professionals are also on the agenda. The event hopes to promote a healthier Hawai'i.

Advance tickets are $10 and are available from Kissa Salon (947-9955) and JPS Salon (735-0202). At the door, tickets will cost $15. Information: www.myspace.com/shineHImagazine.

VALERIE JOSEPH SHOW

Valerie Joseph Boutique will present "Fresh 2007," a fashion show to benefit the YWCA's Dress for Success Honolulu program, which provides underprivileged women with clothes for job interviews.

The event will also feature food tastings, a wine bar and silent auction. It will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. on July 15, at the Laniakea Center, YWCA Richards Street.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Valerie Joseph Boutique in the McCully Shopping Center.

Call 942-5258 for more, or see www.valeriejoseph.com.

SUNSCREEN SAFE?

An SPF rating is not the only thing that matters when selecting a sunscreen.

The Environmental Working Group in Washington, D.C., recently released an in-depth analysis of the safety and effectiveness of more than 700 name-brand sunscreens.

The new database lists products that offer the best combination of safety characteristics: They are formulated with the safest chemicals, are most effective at protecting against sunburn and help prevent long-term damage caused by the sun's ultraviolet A rays, which are linked to skin aging, wrinkling and, potentially, cancer.

The analysis found that more than four out of five of the sunscreen products tested offer inadequate protection from the sun's harmful rays or contain ingredients with safety concerns. That was 84 percent of 785 products tested, each labeled with an SPF rating of 15 or higher — and that's a troubling statistic.

The research is based on nearly 400 peer-reviewed studies of the 17 sunscreen chemicals approved for use in the U.S.

The organization also analyzed the potential toxicity of ingredients, and assessed protection from UVA and UVB radiation.

The database can be found at: www.ewg.org/sunscreen.

Be sure to scroll down far enough within the Web site to find the data — there's a big puka between the headline and the links.

GET YOUR 'U' MAGAZINE

Nearly all copies of our premiere issue of U, the magazine of life with style in Hawai'i, are in the hands of readers: 15,000 mailed directly to women on O'ahu and 30,000 placed in stands at select boutiques, Macy's and Starbucks. However, we spotted a few more copies.

If you hurry, we think you can still get a copy at A' Propos and Shasa Emporium in Kahala Mall, The Candy Shop in Kaka'ako and Sandal Tree in Ala Moana.

You can also see many of the magazine's features, as well as videos and local fashion-related blogs, online at www.umaghawaii.com. Check back weekly for a new blog update and occasional new features.

We're already working on the next issue, due this fall. We plan to make U a quarterly publication for those who appreciate fashion, art, nightlife and fine living.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.