L.A. Fashion Week Spring '08: Monarchy
Monarchy’s edgy rock ’n’ roll embellished style went to prep school for the label’s Spring 2008 fashion show, held Oct. 18 at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City, Calif.
Embroidered men’s polo shirts and graphic V-neck tees were carried to morefashionable heights when paired with seersucker shorts, pin-striped trousers and dark raw jeans. At the same time, the private-school uniform had a dose of Monarchy’s edge through a screen print on the back of a plaid vest and a repeating dagger print on top of a striped grandpa cardigan. “We were hoping to bring something besides a bunch of guys walking out in T-shirts and jeans,” said designer Eric Kim, who expanded Monarchy from T-shirts and jeans to a full collection last season.
For women, shapes ranged from an ultra-loose, relaxed black shirt dress to formfitting high-waist pants and short shorts that emphasized the hips.
Monarchy’s graphic designs preached the green message, which has been a theme throughout Fashion Week this season. One shirt read, “Global warming is so hot right now.” Kim said that because of limitations in organic supply and eco-fabric technology, the brand has not converted entirely to eco-friendly fabrics and the slogans were more about spreading the message of environmental awareness. —R.C.
