The lead singer of the Vincent Black Shadow, a Vancouver punk-goth-cabaret band, comes across as a vamp on-stage. But when she’s on her own, Philippine-born Cassandra Ford has some offbeat tastes. They include David Cronenberg and Terry Gilliam films, as well as a necklace made of human teeth. Recently, she shared some of her other fashion preferences with us.

The word no was pretty common around new mom Lara Leontowich’s house. Her son, Ayden, was a typical toddler, into everything, and the struggle was frustrating both of them. Finally, one rainy day last year, Leontowich switched her approach. She dressed her son in rubber boots and wet weather gear, took him outside, and told him to jump in a puddle.

Humidor-chic accoutrements Stylish, discreet gear for babies has propelled Vancouver’s Goober Baby to the forefront of maternal chic, from here to Hollywood. Now, for the first time, the label is extending their subtle-cool baby accessories to dads. The “Gents” package features a handsome rich-brown corduroy pack, big enough for a couple of diapers and wipes, plus a change pad. The pack is lined with a hip turquoise and brown argyle pattern.

One of the perks of being a woman is getting dressed in 10 seconds flat. Enter the shirtdress. Every woman has at least one dress in her wardrobe she can count on in a pinch, when running late or in a frantic mid-fashion crisis. Rejoice—this season, it seems every design house has their own version of the shirtdress. If there was ever a perfect time to replenish that supply of wardrobe staples, it’s now.

This spring just might be extraordinary when it comes to shoes and the women who love them. You see, now is the season of the platform-shoe fabulous.

Butter up our nails, pleaseIt’s not just that butter London sounds so adorable, nor that its products have witty names like Prince’s Plums, Tea and Toast, and Frilly Knickers, nor even that, if you look closely, you’ll see that the crown-wearing illustrated crow on the Web site (www.butterlondon.com/) nods its head and blinks its little eye.

Fun times are well and truly back this season with bright prints and studded bangles

Those who’ve never quite felt comfortable in the figure-revealing skinny jean can take heart: the wide-leg has gained some serious real estate in stores.

This spring body-hugging, white shirts with structured collars will be paired with black shorts or skirts. Expect the tops smartly opened down by two, even three buttons. Women will be tempted to fill the space with cleavage, jewellery or, may it be suggested, with a Femme Tie ($60 at Hum Clothing, 3623 Main, and at Urbanity at 207 Abbott Street).

Ruffles have been a cyclical fashion embellishment since the days of Queen Victoria, and the runway shows for spring and summer ’08 were once again spilling over with billowy layers of them on everything from gowns to T-shirts to jackets. These aren’t the stiff, scratchy, froufrou ruffles you had when you were six years old. Today’s ruffles are impossibly chic and elegantly dramatic.

1. Spring Julep posy (peonies from Israel, viburnum, hydrangea, cymbidium orchids and ranunculus), available at Divine Vines, starting at $29.99

Dress for Success On April 15, it’s the ninth annual Dress for Success event, which raises money to provide business attire to low-income women who are going to job interviews. This year’s fundraiser is at the Birk’s store at 698 West Hastings Street. Tickets cost $60 and include a glass of wine. For more information, see www.dressforsuccess.org.

The gift of Orb Every time you return to West 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, it seems there’s another example of retailing razzle-dazzle on the strip. One of the latest additions is the new Orb store at 2028 West 4th in the heart of the city’s sustainability district. In keeping with the vibe of the neighbourhood, Orb donates one percent of sales to the charity of a randomly selected customer’s choice, and then tops it up with an additional one percent to a charity chosen by the company.

Becky Ninkovic knows her retro-metallic stuff.

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