Cheryl Shops

Where & When: Thursday, September 10th at 5 p.m., the Salon, Bryant Park
Runway Recap: Rosa Cha is a Brazilian line of swimwear that has been strongly associated with that wonder of modern engineering, the Brazilian bikini. Long known for its uber-sexy designs, the label is in the midst of a huge change: Avant garde Brazilian designer Alexandre Herchcovitch is now the creative director, and this collection marked his runway debut. I am happy to say that while there was still plenty of sexiness on display--cutouts galore, and, yes, those barely-there bottoms--there was whimsy and cool too. With a quirky mix of retro shapes, bright citrus colors, stripes, and woven details, think of the reinvented Rosa Cha as the thinking woman's Brazilian swimsuit.
Standout Look: While the collection's retro gray and hip black-and-white striped bikinis are more what I'd actually wear on the beach, this suit simply made me smile. The bright colors instantly make you think of a tropical vacation, and the woven effect reminded me of these potholders I used to make when I was a child. Plus, it's the best of both worlds--the look of a bikini, with the comfort of a little extra stomach coverage.
Bonus Points: The casting for this show was very well done--the very diverse group of models ranged from cool to sexy (instead of a barrage of all-Brazilian glamazons), and all looked vibrant and healthy in their suits. (You will not, however, catch me talking about whether their thighs were jiggling.)
Where to Buy: Rosa Cha store, 460 W. Broadway.