OSCAR'S NEW FAVE?: With two beige Suburbans and a team of sweltering Secret Service agents in tow, Cindy McCain paid a visit to Oscar de la Renta's showroom Tuesday afternoon to peruse the White House-worthy clothes of fashion's most diplomatic designer, who already has dressed both First Lady Laura Bush and Sen. Hillary Clinton. How long exactly had the potential first lady been shopping? "Way too long," replied one of her fully dressed security agents, who was posted in the 95-degree heat outside 550 Seventh Avenue, moving only to wipe the sweat from his Ray-Bans.

And for what was the taut Mrs. McCain shopping? An inauguration, perhaps? "Nothing in particular," she said. "Just looking."

Earlier in the day, she attended a New York Women for McCain Finance Luncheon at the Women's National Republican Club on 3 West 51st Street on Tuesday on behalf of her husband, Sen. John McCain, the Republican Party's presumptive nominee.

It was unclear whether McCain's daughter, Meghan McCain, a fashionista in her own right, accompanied her mother to de la Renta's offices. Meghan McCain writes vignettes about her experiences on the campaign trail and her father's "Straight Talk Express" bus tour on her own blog, mccainblogette.com, where she posts photos and anecdotes of the campaign events, often naming the "best-dressed" journalist at each stop. According to her blog, which she jointly runs with two of her friends, the site provides "Musings and Pop Culture on the Political Trail."

EARLY ORDERING: Donna Karan's resort collection was praised by quite a few editors, and on Monday night, some of her top customers had the chance to view it and place their orders in the company's first-ever resort trunk show. Karan followers such as Grace Hightower, Heather Mnuchin, Patricia Cisneros and Ulla Parker came to the designer's 10th Avenue home showroom, and in just 90 minutes, the company raked in more than $350,000 in orders.

THE BUTLER DID IT: Paul Burrell is serving up jewels as part of his latest venture. The ex-butler of Diana Princess of Wales will launch a line of jewelry on Shop NBC this weekend inspired by the late icon's taste in gems. Dubbed Effy Signature Range, the line will bow in the U.S. on Saturday. The television retailer has described the collection as "breathtaking, with regal appeal." Burrell, who lives in Florida, will promote the line with a series of guest appearances on the channel prior to the launch. The former royal servant, who once described himself as the princess' rock, is now less in demand in Britain, where news of his jewelry line has fueled Burrell's infamy. The former servant has reportedly netted 10 million pounds, or $19.5 million, since Princess Diana's death through the sale of his books, appearing in reality television shows and even launching a wine variety — Royal Butler Wine. Pieces in the jewelry line include an 18-karat Tri-Color 1.14-carat Diamond Flower Ring retailing at 860 pounds, or $1,699.95, and a white and rose gold 1.85-carat Diamond Flower Pendant with chain for 1,275 pounds, or $2,499.95. For those who can't afford it, the wine is priced more modestly at approximately 6 pounds, or $11, a bottle.