Mary Frances handbags, rich with detail and rife with whimsy and humor, have been seen on the arms of celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston, Eva Longoria, Kate Hudson and Teri Hatcher.

Named the Accessory Designer of the Year at the prestigious 2004 Dallas Fashion Awards, Frances has parlayed a business that began in her living room to a handbag empire with five collections a year.

Now the San Francisco-based designer is planning her first trip to Honolulu to meet her customers and make new ones.

Her public appearance will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow at Sandal Tree, Ala Moana Center. Information: 957-0300.

DESIGN A T-SHIRT

The 2007 Waikiki Roughwater Swim Committee is seeking a T-shirt design for the race, which will be held on Labor Day, Sept. 3.

The design must be 12 by 12 inches, centered at the shirt back, and must include the phrase "38th Waikiki Roughwater Swim" with a smaller design or wording for the left side of the shirt front. The front may include the date and name of the swim. Organizers are looking for an ocean/swimming/Hawaiian motif. To check out the 2006 winning design, go to www.wrswim.com.

Camera-ready art may be submitted to Ted Sheppard at P.O. Box 2847, Wailuku, HI 96793; or tedsheppard@yahoo.com. Deadline: April 2; winner will be selected by mid-April. The winning designer will receive $300.

ONE WAVE

Pipe Dreams and 99 Boarding Co., two stores specializing in active outdoor apparel and accessories (especially surf, skate and snow) for men and women, have merged into one store — Pipe Dreams — at Aloha Tower Marketplace.

Jason Chang, owner of both stores, consolidated them into a 7,200-square-foot space at the front of the retail center.

Featured brands include Oakley, Roxy, Volcom, Fighting Eel and Da Kine.

Validated parking is available with a purchase.

COLOR ME FALL

New Jersey-based Pantone Inc. is considered a world authority on color and provider of professional color standards for design industries, from home to fashion. It recently released a report on the top 10 colors for women's fashion for fall '07. Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, said "Nuanced colors with subtle undertones enhance the ever-present neutrals and allow for clever and extraordinary color combinations."

Here are the top 10: