Celebrities, lipstick raise money for AIDS

Elton John, Mary J. Blige and Shirley Manson, from the rock band Garbage, are featured in the new MAC Viva Glam IV campaign.

The 6-year-old Viva Glam project raises money for AIDS charities through the sale of a $14 lipstick. So far, MAC has raised more than $23 million.

This year’s lipstick shade is a frosted rose and gold shimmer.

Each celebrity partner will take action over the course of the year on behalf of the MAC AIDS Fund. John’s own AIDS Foundation will team with the MAC AIDS Fund to work on the broader repercussions and issues of the epidemic; Blige will address the effects of HIV and AIDS on women, especially black women; and Manson will work with teens and young adults around the world to help reduce transmission rates.

President’s niece tapped by Tommy Jeans

Tommy Jeans’ spring collection aims to demonstrate an all-American sensibility  and the company selected an all-American model to show it off.

Lauren Bush, a niece of President Bush and an Elite model, is featured in the newest ad campaign for the line produced by Tommy Hilfiger, marking the beginning of a two-year modeling contract with the company.

Bush also has appeared on a Town and Country magazine cover and has been featured in Vogue, W and Harper’s Bazaar. She plans to donate a portion of her earnings from the Tommy Jeans campaign to the Twin Towers Fund and Kipp Academy, a small network of college preparatory middle schools.

Sandals a step ahead in spring fashion

The only footwear silhouette worth mentioning this spring is the sandal, according to The World Shoe Assn.

Sandal styles run the gamut from the 1940s’ draped-front slide to an ankle-wrapped gladiator shoe. Flowers, stitched center seams, butterflies, stripes and stars are all popular embellishments.

Prints are another way to punch up the look  and the retro patterns of kitchen checks, mattress ticking stripes, florals, gingham and French provincial are very 2002.

Trend colors are mostly neutrals, while the season’s red takes on a purple cast and blue can be found in every hue from turquoise to nautical navy.

The World Shoe Assn., the largest exhibition of footwear in the United States, does give athleisure shoes, which combine comfort and function, an honorable mention.