Fashion students from the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Apparel Product Design and Merchandising Department present a preview of their annual fashion show at noon tomorrow at center court in Kahala Mall. Eleven senior designers will each show two of their creations. In addition, junior designers will have fashion sketches on display throughout the mall as a preview to their upcoming collections.

The fashion show, which takes place April 27, will feature three distinct segments: Around the World, Go Green and Barbie. Emcee will be Malika Dudley, the new weather anchorwoman at KGMB 9.

Also at Kahala Mall, a beauty event sponsored by SMART magazine featuring mini-spa treatments by Marsha Nadalin Salon & Spa. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Nadalin staff will offer free tips on spring hairstyle trends, eyebrow consultations and mini-massages. Makeup artists from Aveda, MAC and Dior at Macy's will also be providing makeovers with their new spring makeup palettes.

TAHITI PEARL MARKET

Tahitian pearls are known for their luminosity and brilliant colors. The product of an oyster that can only survive in the pristine waters of the blue lagoons in the French Polynesian archipelago, their popularity in recent years has meant an enormous increase in oyster farms in the area.

The pearls have become a favorite accessory among Island women. Now the Tahiti Pearl Market, founded in 1994 as an oyster farming business, has opened a shop in the American Savings Bank building, 1001 Bishop St., Downtown. The shop offers thousands of loose pearls and, with an on-site jeweler, custom designs can be created. Information: 587-9503.

HELLE COMFORT DESIGNERS ON HAND

Helle Comfort shoe designers and owners Martina and Peter Helle will make their first Honolulu appearance from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Sandal Tree in Ala Moana Center. Helle Comfort shoes are known for their arch and metatarsal support. Many designs also have removable footbeds so those requiring orthotics can insert them.

Like many lines of European comfort shoes, Helle Comfort is trying to make their designs more fashion forward, introducing bright spring colors and embellishments such as Swarovski crystals.

KAPA — FASHION IN PARADISE

As fashion explodes all around the Islands, so do the media that cover the subject. The latest addition is Kapa — Fashion in Paradise, edited by Ali Beasley. It's a quarterly publication distributed to UH-Manoa, Honolulu Community College, Maui Community College, bookstores, museums and private businesses.

This is primarily a fashion-industry publication, though there are interesting features that fashionistas will appreciate.

Contributing writers include Melissa May White, who writes for The Advertiser's Island Life and U magazine and is a co-founder of the Hawai'i Fashion Incubator or Hifi; Jessica Howard; and Christine Su. A designer profile, style profile and glossary of fashion terms will be regular features.

As with Hifi, Beasley said, her goal is to connect retailers, designers and fashion-related resources and provide them with opportunities to learn more about fashion in the Islands and around the world.

The tabloid-sized paper is newsprint.

A local girl, Beasley studied fashion at UH-Manoa and took an internship with the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. She has worked in retail and is now a teacher.

For more information or to subscribe to Kapa — Fashion in Paradise ($6 annually), e-mail kapanews@gmail.com.