Like many young designers, Lauren Moffatt started by designing and producing her collection from home. But home was a 31-foot sailboat docked on New York’s Hudson River, so it certainly makes for a more interesting start.

While her clothing isn't necessarily nautical, her spring/summer collection would not be out of place on a sailboat, or any other breezy destination. Her lightweight denim Alley Dress ($325, left) is ideal for throwing over a bikini and her Billie Jean striped dress ($295, right) would look great with a pair of flat sandals on deck.

And if you aren’t spending your summer at sea, her loose, easy dresses are perfect for yacht-watching from a waterfront patio. Ahoy! —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Available exclusively at Much&Little, 2541 Main St., Vancouver, 604-709-9034, www.muchandlittle.com

The reason why most great childrenswear brands are founded by mothers is because they have the experience of knowing exactly what kids want to wear and how parents want their kids to look.

In the case of Vancouver-made Kiki Kids Wear, it is bright printed dresses, elegant little cardigans, and poofy skirts in colourful patterns, trimmed with flower shaped buttons and bow belts. We like the Sleeveless Tulip Print Dress ($72) for the next birthday party, and the Heather Floral Print Pull-on Skirt ($44) for dinner out.

Next question is of course the sizing, and sadly, it only goes up to a girl’s size 10. But that’s a 24 inch waist, and with an elastic waistband… us Moms can probably squeeze ourselves in. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Kiki Kids Wear online at www.kikikidswear.com

One of the best ways to beat the winter blues is to book a holiday as far away as possible from the cold. Of course you’ll need some new threads to go with that holiday. Here are some of the best resort 2012 dresses, depending on your holiday budget.

Hut on a private dock in the Maldives
A dream holiday deserves a gorgeous dress, and this Jason Wu number fits the bill. $1785 from The Room at The Bay, 674 Granville St., Vancouver, 604-754-4672, www.thebay.com

Villa in Bali
This candy pink Sachin + Baby dress has discreet woven pleats and will be perfect for dinners overlooking the sunset. $532 from Violet Boutique, 3012 Granville St., Vancouver, 604-569-1514, www.violetboutique.ca

Hotel in Hawaii
Allison Wonderland’s belted pink dress can be worn barefoot on the beach, or with flat sandals whilst sipping Blue Hawaiis. $184 from www.allisonwonderland.ca

Timeshare in Mexico
This dress’ loose back leaves lots of room for a cooling breeze, and we love the abstract painted print. $69.95 from H&M Pacific Centre, 609 Granville St., Vancouver, 604-692-0308, www.hm.ca —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

Gucci’s fall winter collection got us very excited about the '70s again. But we aren’t talking hippie chic, this is all about glamorous disco parties and Studio 54. Here are a few '70s-inspired party dresses that will get you through the onslaught of festive parties.

Halston dressed everyone who’s anyone at Studio 54, so a Halston Heritage dress, (inspired by his '70s archives) is a great way to go this holiday season. We love that this one has sexy cut outs, but a long sleeve. Cut out dress, $495, from Net A Porter.

Jason Matlo’s asymmetrical dress reminds us of something Bianca Jagger would have worn out dancing, and Studio 54 was awash with animal print. One sleeve dress, $300 from Ishara.

You can’t do '70s without a maxi dress, Obakki’s Sonia dress is full length and will be great for swirling on the dancefloor. Sonia dress, $560, from Obakki.

Matthew Williamson is known for dressing all the party girls, and we like that this dress has a psychedelic print. Matthew Williamson long dress, $1500, from Ssense.

Dace’s ocean dress has a demure '70s neckline and sleeve, but the short hem lets us show off our legs while we’re disco dancing. Ocean dress, $270, from Dace. —Alexandra Suhner Isenberg

When it comes to weddings, we wish that compiling the mailing list was our highest priority (or at least the future mother-in-law does), but lets be honest, it’s really all about the dress. 

Just in time for spring fever (and summer engagements), Vancouver designer Jason Matlo has launched a line of fashion-forward gowns. From ballerina ball skirts to sleek-and-slinky jersey, retro details like asymmetrical necklines, Grecian draping, and tons of tulle define these hand-finished couture creations.

Now, back to that mailing list….

www.jasonmatlo.com

To see more dresses, view photos on the Editors' Diary.

We always thought Bianca was cooler than Mick…and we think her Halston-heavy wardrobe had a lot do with it.

Decades after the line epitomized jet-set style among the coolest actresses and socialites, diffusion line Halston Heritage has launched with perennial fashion It Girl Sarah Jessica Parker at the helm. She models the white jersey deep V-neck dress ($395) on the Sex and the City 2 movie poster, and the look, topped off with loads of gold accessories, is shimmery glam. The entire collection has a heavy '70s-style vibe with one-shoulder dresses, a tie-dye jumpsuit and jersey, jersey, jersey.

It's enough drapery and drama to fill Studio 54.

Halston Heritage is available at the Bay Vancouver Downtown, 674 Granville St., Vancouver, 604-684-6211, www.thebay.com

Dazed & Confused fashion editor and Gareth Pugh runway stylist Katie Shillingford has the sartorial daring to dye her hair ombré. We like something a little less permanent.

Which is why we love Lifetime Collective’s Digits dress. Made of silk that graduates from white to midnight blue, the sporty shift is fashion-forward yet utterly unfussy.

It’s already sold out online, but we found the frock at the Vancouver label’s special pop-up shop inside Gastown’s One of A Few. Snap it up before it fades away.

$160 at Lifetime in One of A Few, 354 Water St., Vancouver, 604-605-0685, www.lifetimecollective.com

See photos of the Lifetime pop-up boutique on our Editors' Diary.

So you’re not quite as swift with the Singer as your mom once was.

Thank goodness there’s another mother who’ll whip up a gorgeous handmade dress for your budding fashionista. With au courant details like 1920s drop waists and Liberty of London fabrics, the modern frocks by Vancouver line Mette will have her standing apart from the crowd.

And not because she’s wearing a bright orange polyester shift—that was you at age 4.

Dresses from $40, www.mette.ca

With the holiday season almost upon us, everyone needs a new party dress...or two.

And what better way to beat the bank (and the drycleaner) than with a reversible silk charmeuse wrap dress that can be worn as a solid colour with flashes of a patterned lining, or inside out for the opposite effect?

Vancouver designer Sheri Rose has just the thing, with luscious combinations like Chocolate lined with Emerald that come in 16 styles (the Iris and Sophia dresses are reversible). Custom dresses start at $125, and are typically delivered in less than two weeks.

If only ordering up the perfect party date was so simple.

Preview dress stylesat www.mysherirose.com

Book an appointmentat Sheri Roses' Yaletown studio at 604-681-7687.