Clotheslines

Kids come, too:Mother's Day falls on Sunday, March 2nd, this year and BTKids will be joining forces with singer Keith Duffy to present a family day called Time to Shine, at the Four Seasons hotel in Dublin.

It  will be a fundraiser for Irish Autism Action. All sorts of activities have been arranged, starting with a champagne and kiddie cocktail reception and a Mother's Day luncheon. BTKids will present their spring/summer fashion show featuring well known brands such as Diesel, Pepe and Catimini, interspersed with special performances from talented tots. There will be face painting, and a nail and tattoo bar, and all proceeds will go directly to building a specialised playground for the Saplings School for Autism in Rathfarnham, the sixth of its kind in Ireland. Tickets cost €1,500 for a table of 10 and can be purchased from Kevin Whelan at Irish Autism Action, 044-9331609, Tara O'Connor, 086-2366936, or Alison Lawless on 01-6056666, ext 6525.

Happy campers

The collaboration between Spain's leading young artist Jaime Hayon and hip shoemaker Camper was bound to have interesting results. The new shoe for men created by Hayon for Camper is sleek, supple yet sporty, and with its elongated lace-up front, has a kind of carefree Fred Astaire vibe. "I wanted to find a form that stylised the foot like tap dancing shoes," says Hayon. The leather shoes, which are lined with linen, come in an array of solid colours such as black, red, green or blue and cost €199. They will be in Camper shops from next week.

Purse friendly

Sailor stripes, cheeky blazers and matelot pants signal a jaunty attitude for spring. Kick in the new season with safe and simple separates, or freshen the look with a naval-style shirt dress, complete with anchor buttons and chain bangles. Lighten the mood with chiffon print blouses under a serious suit, opt for a dotty dress or a tribal print pinafore updated in dark decorative colours. Shorts are best left to the svelte of figure, but high-waisted jeans are the new alternatives. Wear them with Mary Janes, less precarious than wedge heels or chunky wooden sandals. Start experiments at Penneys, where prices range from €3 for a belt and €5 for a T-shirt, up to €25 for a blazer, or this tribal print sundress (€13), right, worn with large bracelet (€5).