Increased sales in the U.S., steady growth in overseas markets, label recognition among young and hip fashionistas–there are a number of indicators that your streetwear line is doing well. But perhaps none is as telling as Avril Lavigne getting Punk'd in one of your signature tops.

"It was a funny moment," says Gentle Fawn creative director Danny Hogg at his Railtown studio. "I don't know if she's our 'perfect' girl, but there's certain pieces that she's really taken to and worn and stuff like that, which has been really, really good for us."

While celebrity endorsement is always great for business (even from the latest victim of Asthon Kutcher). Right now, Hogg and company are more interested in preparing for the label's Australian debut in spring 2008. Oddly enough, they've chosen to target Down Under before the coveted Japanese market.

"Japan would be great. It's just a question of us doing more research," says Hogg, who launched Gentle Fawn with life and business partner Carla Hogg, in the fall of 2003. "There's this huge communication barrier there.

"Whereas with Australia, there's no language barrier. It's a lifestyle-based country like the West Coast, which is our key market.…And then just culturally, there are a lot of similarities between Australians and Canadians."

So what can Aussies expect to see for spring 2008? Well, if it's anything like this season's collection (available at numerous Lower Mainland stores including Obstruction [1112 Davie Street], Pleasant Girl [2541 Main Street], and Liquid Clothing [2050 West 4th Avenue]), they can expect a lot of sweet-and-innocent tunic-length tops with subtle crochet detailing, like the Victoria top ($56). This bibbed tank comes with a drawstring skirt and fabric-covered buttons down the middle. Then there's the Legend ($76), which has three-quarter-length sleeves, delicately embroidered shoulders, and a plunging V-neck that's clearly meant to be layered over a tank.

"The evolution from our [spring] '04 line is definitely a lot more pretty and a lot more feminine as far as the cuts go," says Hogg, who now shares design duties with a small team of fashion-forward women. "Back then, everything [I designed] was a lot more basic: block-type T-shirts, the tops were just scoop-necks for the most part, and the fleeces were more traditional track-jacket and hoodie style."

Now they offer jackets like the April ($99), a hooded long-sleeve with wooden toggles that do up diagonally across the front, and the Minute ($65), a heathered terry cropped layering piece with capped, ribbed sleeves.

The clothes may be more girlie-girl, but one aspect of Gentle Fawn remains true to this day: "Everything is focused around denim," says Hogg, "Yet we're not a denim company. We don't produce any denim, but we feed into that look with all our tops and accessories."

Hogg admits that he and his wife have been lucky in terms of reaching the goals they set out for Gentle Fawn.

"We've been fortunate," he says. "So far, everything is pretty much right on cue."