Her collection of vintage frocks and baubles attracts Toronto's top stylists and designers and her window displays are known to stop traffic. It’s no surprise then that The Cat's Meow Louise Cooper’s blog is an attention-grabber too.

With tips, trends and the latest additions to her store, this vintage portal is a fun place to escape to while dining al desko. Have a look at me wearing full-length vintage Valentino skirt in Cooper’s Out and About section.

We’re lusting after these ridiculously showy Chanel sunnies ($895, pictured) and who could say no to a fanny pack ($595) to match? —Athena Tsavliris

www.thecatsmeowcouture.com/blog

Canadian fashion is enjoying a renaissance of sorts. But the problem is that some of our best and brightest are often mistaken for Brits or Americans. We are here to claim them back.

Line
For over a decade, long-time friends John Muscat and Jennifer Wells have been putting Canada on the map with their gorgeous, luxurious and versatile knitwear. Beyond mere sweaters, Line has taken the idea of knitwear to bold new directions, manipulating the material in every way possible. It is the show to see at Toronto Fashion Week.

Mark Fast
Hailing from the Canadian prairies, Mark Fast completed his studies at the famous Central Saint Martins in London. His innovative knitwear takes a sexy turn, with laced and selectively placed holes. But there is more to him than revealing knits: watch for his collaboration with the great Canadian leather staple Danier coming this fall.

Erdem
Erdem Moralioglu is celebrated for his bright and beautiful prints. It makes sense – he cut his teeth working for Diane von Furstenberg before launching his line in 2005. A Royal College of Art graduate and a veteran of London Fashion Week, this Montreal-born designer is often mistaken for a Brit. Step away, he’s all ours!

Thomas Tait
Last year, this Montréal-born prodigy became the youngest graduate ever of Central Saint Martins’ MA program (he is only 23!). He is a minimalist at heart, with crisp architectural tailoring and a knack for black and white combinations. It’s no wonder he won the covetable Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize. The One to Watch.

Jeremy Laing
Toronto-based Jeremy Laing has been showing at New York Fashion Week for several seasons now. He may have learnt sewing from his mother but this former protégé of Alexander McQueen is now known for his ingenious construction and monochromatic colour themes. We’re keeping our fingers crossed and hoping he takes the ANDAM Fashion Award.

—AG

The future's so bright... well, you know the rest. Herewith, four styles of sunglasses we're lovin'.

1. Gradient Shades. The big glasses trend is still very much in fashion, but they’ve gone very '70s with gradient tones, both on the lens and the frames themselves. These Tom Ford ones have a really cool knot at the side. $435 at Holt Renfrew, 737 Dunsmuir St., Vancouver, 604-681-3121, www.holtrenfrew.com

2. The New Cat Eye. These Prada shades are a modern, angular version of a traditional cat eye frame. Available in tortoise or black. $281 from Della Optique, 2589 W. Broadway, Vancouver, 604-742-3937, www.dellaoptique.com

3. Summer Brights. The trend this season is all about vibrant pops of colour, so why not get yourself a pair of sunglasses in a bright hue? And at this price, you can afford one in each colour. Furlux glasses, $45 from Envision Optical, 2675 W. Fourth Ave., Vancouver, 604-733-2020, www.envisionoptical.ca

4. Oversized specs. We like to think of Marni as the ultimate quirky-girl-gone-sophisticated designer and these round, slightly cat-eye frames really fit that bill. A little bit peculiar with a lot of Jackie O pizzazz, these oversized sunnies are bound to stand out in the crowd. $469 at Bruce Eyewear, 219 Abbott St., Vancouver, 604-662-8300, www.bruceeyewear.com

And if the sun doesn’t bother to come out, we can always wear these inside like the celebrities do. —ASI & AG

Move over boys, Roden Gray has added xx to its already-stellar xy mix.

Fresh on the floor is Roden Gray’s debut womenswear collection, featuring some of our favourite luxury basics from brands like Acne, Theyskens' Theory and Alexander Wang.

For our dream summer outfit, we’re thinking Theyskens' Theory purple ‘Blogo’ blouse ($250) paired with Acne chambray bubble shorts ($210) and, of course, Acne ‘Melrose’ pumps ($560). To top it all off, we’d add Garrett Leight ‘Hampton’ wayfarers ($290).

Flawless, if we may say so. –AG

Roden Gray, 8 Water St., Vancouver, 604-689-7302, www.rodengray.com

Ever since we could remember, we’ve always wanted a bestie with an enviable closet and cool Chinatown digs. Okay, maybe we’re thinking Iona in Pretty in Pink, but Charlie & Lee has got to be the next best thing.

Relocating from Victoria, Charlie & Lee just set up shop in Chinatown, making it a destination to be. With the move, they brought a lot of chic brands to our city. For example, there's Primary New York and The Lake & Stars, both by former-Vancouverites-now-New Yorkers, Iro from France, and Shakuhachi, all the way from Australia.

We currently covet the Shakuhachi silk utility blouse ($178), Gar-De tribal shorts ($89) and D.Co Copenhagen ‘Jail’ wedges ($390). Scrap that, we want the entire store!

Sorry Victoria, but we are keeping this one. —AG

Charlie & Lee, 223 Union St., Vancouver, 604-558-3030, www.charlieandlee.com

New York-based designer Steven Alan made a name for himself perfecting something seemingly simple: the men’s shirt. It became his signature and the basis for every collection.

For spring, he takes on the tomboy while maintaining the crisp tailoring. Think the gamine and graceful Sofia Coppola strolling the streets of Paris, with an overstuffed Louis Vuitton tote in tow.  

We are seriously coveting the easy and breezy chambray pieces like the ‘Isabelle’ shift dress ($278) and the ‘Deidra’ skirt ($198).

Let’s hear it for the boy. —AG

At Oliver and Lilly’s, 1520 W. 13th Ave., Vancouver, 604-736-7774, http://oliverandlillys.com/

Q: What does fashion designer Marc Jacobs subsist on?
A: Goji berry and Mangosteen shots, candy, cigarettes, and 15 minutes of sleep.

Just some of the private details revealed in the French TV documentary Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton, a must-see for any fashion voyeur.

From backstage to boardroom, from cutting room floor to dance floor, you’ll be blown away by the sheer speed with which Jacobs comes up with new bags for Louis Vuitton (e.g, overnight) as he rolls around the studio in office chairs (no one appears to walk).

With cameos from Naomi Campbell, Anna Wintour, Sofia Coppola, Ashton and Demi, and more, there’s eye candy in every scene shift.

Rent it at Black Dog Video ($5.50) or puchase it ($27.98) at Amazon.ca.

Gossip Girl your guilty pleasure? Ours too—we watch it for the fashion plates (alright, and the cuter than cute boys).

We heard (from a reliable source of course) that the lady-like frocks made by Blair Waldorf’s mommy dearest and worn by B herself are the real life work of designer Abigail Lorick. The Lorick label will debut at New York Fashion Week a few weeks from now, just as the second season of Gossip Girl premieres. Until then we're sneaking a peek at her Fall 08 line before it hits stores and snagging spring pieces on sale.

That’s gossip worth passing on.

View collections and find stores at www.loricknewyork.com

Missed Mandula? After a 4-month sojourn creating a new collection and building a store from scratch, the Vancouver womenswear designer has hung up a tile in Gastown, in the former bar of the 1899 Lamplighter Hotel.

The stunning space features poured concrete floors, exposed brick and 14-foot reclaimed wood beams that suspend the clothing.

The spring collection is influenced by turn-of-the-century men’s work wear, with sexy, slouchy pants, vests and ties.

Now it’s just up to you to work it.

Mandula, 211 Abbott St. (beside Jules Bistro), Vancouver, 604-720-3787, www.mandula.com

One of the best bits about traveling is the carefree meandering and people watching.

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting Asia this summer, be sure to download the new MP3 City Guide by Louis Vuitton.

Narrated by actresses Shu Qi (Hong Kong), Joan Chen (Shanghai) and Gong Li (Beijing), each hour-long soundwalk offers a cinematic itinerary, complete with step-by-step advice and original soundtrack. Also included are interactive maps, photos, and videos so lovely, you almost don’t need to leave home.

Louis Vuitton Soundwalks, US$17 each, www.louisvuittonsoundwalk.com