Connectors are those who seem to know hundreds or thousands of people and have an incredible knack for making friends and acquaintances. Vancouver event planner Alice Zhou is one of them.

Heather Young injects French chic into her designs for children in a limited collection of playful pieces that are meticulously crafted with her signature pleating, button details, and trims.

Your dad’s plaids are getting hip, because the game that made Tiger Woods famous has a funky new swing to it, with fashion plates such Halle Berry and Jessica Alba puttering around on the links.

Viva la french sun savvy

Billowing or figure-hugging, floral or understated, take a look at some of this season's hottest dresses that are bound to ensure the living is easy.

Photography by shawn taylor / Styling by Luisa Rino

Bags & Bling On June 7 and 8, dozens of local designers will display a mix of jewellery, handbags, scarves, hats, belts, and other accessories at the Bags & Bling Summer Sale at Heritage Hall at 3102 Main Street. For more information, phone 604-874-9535.

Brad Pitt wore the designs of J. Lindeberg alongside his partner Angelina Jolie at the 2006 Golden Globe Awards. Now, thanks to Boys’ Co. owner David Goldman, local clothing stallions can wear the same Swedish duds. Late last month, Boys’ Co. opened the first J. Lindeberg store in the region adjacent to its recently renovated store in Metropolis at Metrotown. J.

Mount Pleasant will soon have a new vintage lingerie shop, which will bring some sizzle to the neighbourhood. On June 15 at its grand opening at 219 East 16th Avenue, Lace Embrace Atelier will feature live lingerie models in the window, starting at noon. In the evening, there will be a “corset soiree” for those who want to come dressed as Scarlett O’Hara or any other diva of a bygone era.

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.