Cheryl Shops

Where & When: Friday, September 11th at 3 p.m., the Tent, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: With the runway dressed like a cobblestone street and a backdrop that evoked the Old Town of a Mediterranean city, I was expecting a hokey French influence. Instead, Monarchy Collection showed a rather sophisticated lineup of party dresses for women and sharply tailored suits for men, segueing into what this L.A.-based contemporary label does best: casual sportswear with that air of West Coast ease. The very on-trend collection featured well-cut paperbag-waist shorts, cropped tops, and boyfriend shirts, vests, jeans, and jackets; there were also buttery-looking leather jackets for both men and women. I have no idea what the backdrop was all about, or how it was supposed to relate to the show, but with clothes this great, who cares?
Standout Look: Monarchy showed a fresh way to wear the old-standby party-top-and-jeans outfit: A loose metallic cropped top layered under a cropped, tailored jacket and paired with high-waisted jeans. It's a new proportion, but one that works.
Bonus Points: The front row was packed with reality TV stars: Reverend Run's daughters Angela and Vanessa Simmons, Janice Dickinson (who was, inexplicably, with Lizzie Grubman), Miss J. Alexander, and Phillip Bloch. The photographers were having a field day, but they went totally bananas when AnnaLyne McCord (Naomi from 90210) came from backstage.
Where to Buy: Click here for retail locations.

Monarchy Collection Fall 2009
Where & When: Saturday, February 14th at 7 p.m., the Promenade, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: Considering what little I knew about Monarchy going into their show on Saturday night--which was that the line was denim-focused and based in Los Angeles--I was expecting the worst: distressed jeans and tattoo tees. However, I was pleasantly surprised by what designer Eric Kim sent down the runway: cool, draped jersey dresses, shrunken washed leather jackets, and lots of good-looking coats, from trench coats to puffer jackets. True, he played it safe with a pretty neutral palette, but then again, that's the route that a lot of designers are taking this season, and the jackets were just so damn cool, I'm willing to overlook it.
Standout Look: An object of desire if I've ever seen one, this is a leather biker-jacket dress. It's so edgy-genius, I'm surprised no one has thought of it before. (My apologies for using a stock photo--my last-row seat did not provide the best angle from which to take my own photos--they're all blurry and the models are tiny.)
Bonus Points: In true West Coast style, the front row featured Jennifer Love Hewitt (who is skinny!), Rex Lee (a.k.a. Lloyd from Entourage), AnnaLynne McCord (a.k.a. Naomi from the new 90210), and Miss J. Alexander, who entertainingly gave the models a once-over as they strutted by him.
Where to Buy: Saks, Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, and more locations at Monarchy's website.