Here we are, once more, at the start of two exciting weeks of fashion. While I missed Evan Biddell's much-lauded collection on Tuesday, I survived a hair-ruining rainstorm and six-inch Jeffrey Campbell Frankenhooker trannyboots to make it to the hotly anticipated Philip Sparks show and the reveal of the house's brand-new lady-clothes.

May I say, bravo, Philip! He virtually always manages to turn out perfectly lovely vintage-inspired, clothes-for-the-ages in his menswear collections, and this season was definitely up to snuff. But this time, we also had a women's line to admire aussi, and boy, were we admirin'.

The same trademark tailoring and flattering, expensive-looking cuts, and quality, surprising fabric choices could also be found in the women's pieces. The entire collection was garden-party-ready, the stuff that Better Homes & Gardens meets 1950's BBQ dreams are made of. The shorts, blazers, and madras madness would be just as at home on an episode of Mad Men as in the boardrooms and bedrooms of Canada's most fashion-savvy men.

Witness the plaid gauze jacket and oh-so-slim olive chinos, or the startling navy piping on the olive trench. Even the anoraks and rainjackets had a jaunty, Cape Cod vibe to them while retaining enough cool-factor to keep it current. Pin cord suiting and chambray shirts took it a little more formal.

Ah, and what about the womens wear? It's amazing. Yes. Here the theme was picnic with Gene Tierney, all girlish, but there was a hint of sex appeal, too, in the very act of restraint: covering up in a turquoise plaid shirt-dress or high-waisted pleated shorts can be sexy. And that's even before we get to the cherry blossom photo print pieces, whether it be blouse or jumper. Wow.

It may have been raining outside, but inside, it was all Philip, and all fabulous. Count me in for spring.

Photos by Jonathan Loek.