Mental Gymnastics

Health and fitness take to the skies now that Northwest Airlines passengers can do aerobics via video even while their seat belts remain securely fastened, and first-class fliers on Virgin Atlantic can enjoy a massage and aroma-therapy oils in flight, all gratis. But the freebies don’t always tempt. “I didn’t see one person doing it,” says Northwest’s Debbie White. “They seemed to like watching it though.”

* HOLD THE PHONE: Convinced that a portable phone is now a fashion accessory, the Fujitsu electronics company asked 12 fashion designers to test a few. As might be expected, they voted on the basis of style, not performance. Carolina Herrera, the New York socialite/designer, paid special attention to the antennae--she wanted one short enough to fit into her purse. Andrew Corrigan, a designer for Perry Ellis menswear, preferred black or gray for color choices, which might say something about the forthcoming collection. Emanuel Ungaro, Bijan and jewelry designer Lisa Jenks were also on the panel. And the winners are: Fujitsu Pocket Commander (about $1,100), with the brand-new Motorola MicroTac Lite (about $3,000) scoring just as high.

* THE CAUSE THAT REFRESHES: It’s been several years since fashion designers’ Christmas gifts changed from fancy foods or pricey potpourri to charitable donations. This season, designer Giorgio Armani turned the idea around. He sent cards with a form enclosed, to fill out and be returned. A separate note explains, “As my Christmas present to you, I wish to make a contribution in your name to the cause that is most meaningful to you.”

* AZZEDINE INSURANCE: Some smart women didn’t wait to see what Santa had in his sack. They made sure they got the designer outfit of choice by buying it themselves. The Azzedine Alaia store on Rodeo Drive and the Alaia boutique inside Gallay Melrose were hopping with the hippest last week: Bette Midler picked up a red suit; Kim Basinger bought a dress, skirt and bustier; Naomi Campbell bought a long black skirt; Beverly Johnson purchased a dress; Nicolette Sheridan chose leggings with a matching bolero jacket.

* ONE-STOP SHOPPING: If you received a T-shirt emblazoned with “Save the Whales” from actress Linda Blair, consider yourself one of her nearest and dearest. She bought all of her Christmas presents for family and friends at the Save the Whales boutique in Venice. Her mom got an Orca windsock, her dad a marine mammals puzzle, her boyfriend a Save the Whales watch.

* FRIENDLY FAUX: Animal Love. It sounds like the name of some audacious rock band. Actually, it’s a new mail-order business for fake-fur coats. Pretend but still pricey, the synthetic wraps start at just less than $6,000. Designer Daniel Renock explains that profits go to animal protection programs. Each consciousness-raising coat has a gold heart and the words Animal Love inscribed on the forearm. Catalogues are available from Daniel Renock Enterprises, P.O. Box 80315, Rochester, Mich. 48063.