Cheryl Shops

Where & When: Sunday, February 14 at 1 p.m., Greenwich Street studio
Runway Recap: You know the sketches on Saturday Night Live when they make fun of Suze Orman and her jackets? (Give me a minute, here--I am going somewhere with this.) I can totally relate; I consider jackets the ultimate outfit makers, and I will not hesitate to buy a truly fantastic one, no matter what the cost. It looks like I will be dropping significant change this fall on the stellar series of blazers and coats that Donna Karan showed this afternoon in her DKNY collection: There were perfectly slouchy boyfriend jackets, a riding blazer with sexy leather sleeves, a prim-and-proper collarless style, and wrap coats in both a rich burgundy wool and an outrageous metallic fur, and just when you think you're set in the trenchcoat department, along comes a cropped, slightly boxy double-breasted style that you simply must have. The overall vibe was equal parts equestrian, schoolgirl, and Art Deco--kicky pleated skirts and aforementioned jackets of all shapes mixed with colorblocked knits, many of which were accented with bursts of sequins. Even the accessories were pitch-perfect, from chunky scarves and newsboy caps (courtesy of Albertus Swanepoel) down to the color-coordinated handbags and sky-high heels; this just goes to show that not only does Karan think about her customer's entire look, she executes it all so well too.
Standout Look: Since my photos were actually pretty good this time around (and since this show was so all-around awesome), I'm picking two. One is a beaded cardigan jacket layered over a striped tee, proving that you can mix two different stripes, and paired with one of many covetable pleated skirts. The second is a mixed-media Art Deco collage dress, paired with an intarsia Cozy--yes, even the essential DKNY Cozy gets an update for fall. Even so, I could add a good 10 more looks to this list--the collection was that good.
Bonus Points: There are not many designers for whom I get down on my knees, but I spent the entire show happily kneeling at the end of a riser in order to see. Not that I'm complaining--I was lucky even to be invited. Actresses Keke Palmer and Allison Brie, singer Little Boots, and socialite Poppy Delvigne, also fans, had slightly more comfortable front-row seats.
Where to Buy: Find a store here.