As part of its spring The HIP Event, Neiman Marcus has gotten 31 of the country's hottest designers — including Philip Lim, Tory Burch, Catherine Malandrino, Vince, Trina Turk and Cynthia Steffe — to create dresses exclusively for its department stores, including the Ala Moana Center location.

The HIP Event runs today and tomorrow during store hours, with informal modeling today from noon to 4 p.m. and tomorrow from 1 to 5 p.m. Customers who spend $400 or more in Women's Contemporary sportswear or Galleria will receive a Diane von Furstenberg tote with designer swag inside.

PRET-A-PAPER

Kahala Mall's Viva la Diva spring event kicks off with a fashion show and contest featuring styles created by fashion technology students from Honolulu Community College. Their task: To create wearable garments from paper. It's a throwback to the early '60s when paper fashions had their moment on the streets of London and New York.

The clothes will be accessorized with jewelry from Kahala Mall boutiques. The designer of the winning garment will receive a roundtrip for two to San Francisco, courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines. The show starts at noon tomorrow at the mall's Center Court. Free and open to the public.

Following at 2 p.m. will be "Edge," a fashion and hair show featuring edgy fashions and hot new looks for hair and makeup. Free and open to the public.

THE LAST OF LAU

Up-and-coming Honolulu designer Michele Lau is about to head out to New York to follow her dream of interning for Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui, Zac Posen or Proenza Schouler. She also hopes to take classes at Parsons or New York's Fashion Institute of Technology.

First, however, she'll stage her final local fashion fling with a show of her spring/summer 2007 collection. Expect more voluminous silhouettes, puffed sleeves and gathered skirts. The show begins at 9 p.m. today at thirtyninehotel (39 N. Hotel St., 599-2552). Cover: $7 at the door for those 21 and over.

THE HEEL WORLD

Shoe divas are invited to show off their sexiest shoes in Macy's Sexy Shoe Contest. Contestants wearing their own shoes before a live audience are judged by a panel of celebrity judges. The event is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Macy's Ala Moana.

The winner will receive a pair of designer shoes of her choice with a retail value of up to $200. Hors d'oeuvres and complimentary cocktails will be served while guests try on the latest in fashion footwear. Free and open to the public.

SHOP FOR A CAUSE

Fashionistas looking for bargains that also will benefit the YWCA will want to be at "The Women's Closet" event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at The O Lounge. Local designers and retailers will sell fashions and accessories at up to 75 percent off. The event includes Hula-la, Ginger 13, KariJane Threads, Rockabella and Roberta Oaks. Featured designer: swimsuit creator Marylea Conrad. $5 donation at the door. Gently used clothing donations welcomed. Must be 21 and older. Information: 944-8436. Presale RSVP: info@theolounge.com.

A CUT ABOVE

Ed Hardy's butcher couture artist, Adam Saaks, will be custom-cutting T-shirts on women free of charge from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. today at Longhi's in Ala Moana Center. The list fills up fast, and it's first come, first served. You've got to be age 21 and older. Dress code: no shorts, slippers, baseball caps or athletic wear. $15 standard cover.

Reach Paula Rath at paularath@aol.com.