THE ROVING EYE.

WHAT do glittering heart-shaped evening purses have to do with World War II heroes? They're being sold to raise money for the establishment of a WW II memorial in Washington, D.C.

"I heard Tom Hanks say there was (no such memorial), and I decided to do more than just write a check," said Beverly Hills designer Katherine Baumann, who created the handbags and calls her endeavor Project Purple Heart.

Baumann, runner-up in the 1970 Miss America contest, has crafted a gold purse, called a minaudiere, in the shape of a heart that bears her interpretation of the U.S. military's Purple Heart, the medal awarded to servicemen killed or wounded in combat.

Her prototype bag is 24-karat gold, and the "medal" features a 36.5karat amethyst surrounded by 170 small diamonds. It's valued at $250,000.

From the prototype, the former actress and Miss Ohio designed a less-expensive, limited version that sells for $5,000. Instead of diamonds, she surrounded the purple-colored amethyst with cubic zirconium.

So far, she has raised $300,000 toward the WW II memorial, which could cost an estimated $100 million to build. The purse is available at David Orgell in Beverly Hills and other jewelry stores around the country.

Baumann's designs are frequently seen in the hands of celebrities on the Hollywood cocktail party circuit. She also created a sparkling purse in the shape of the Titanic -- priced at $6,000- that sold out even before reaching stores. The designer has long been fascinated by men in battle. Her great, great, great grandfather, George Wood, joined the Union Army during the Civil War and was wounded at Antietem.