Deep Fashion for Thoughtful Folks by Laura Medina

Monarchy Deconstructed Black Leather Cape

Now that the holly jolly holidays had came then passed, it is time for some serious clothes, not dowdy clothes.

Want a new wardrobe stocked full of clothes you never seen or had before?

Sick to your gills with All-American Preppy this and Prim & Proper Brit Preppy that?

Are you bleeding khakis and need some hip but classic jeans to wear?

We are discussing about a functional wardrobe that is equally elegant as it is practical. Less sporty, more luxurious yet durable enough to withstand any recession which metamorphes into a closet classic.

The back view of Monarchy Black Leather Deconstructed Cape with Hood

Monarchy's Eric Kim insistence on quality fabrication and construction, which he developed at Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, is what makes him stand out in a new, emerging market of "Urban Couture." It does not hurt his original career choice were furniture designer and architecture, which explains his attention to fabrication, finishes, and tailoring.

Christian Audigier maybe the king of "Urban Couture," but Mr. Kim is growing a loyal fan among influential press and media people who can actually pick who is the leader in a particular field.

Fashion insiders, such as fashion photographers literally love his tee shirts to death, until they wear holes into them-and that says a lot.

Mind you, Mr. Kim does not play the popularity game with the masses. However, he is steadily earning respect for focusing on classic but edgy tailoring in timeless yet comfortable textiles and details that are fad resistant.

Monarchy Tan Cropped Motorcycle Jacket

He concentrates on reintrepreting wardrobe classics and renovating real all-natural knits and leathers in innovative finishes and polish.

By putting all those technological alterations together, Mr. Kim brings forth a new collection of clothes that have rarely been done before, a new league of causal but sleek attire in weather-protective finishes, a much luxurious choice compare to the more utilitarian North Face.

Monarchy Sleeveless Black Knit Jersey Hoodie Dress

Mr. Kim takes the staid little black dress then rebuilt it into a soft but slinky number that is easy to wear and take care of in jersey knit.

An edgy classic.

Monarchy Padded Flight Jacket

His true love are sport cars and motorcycles-and the accompanying wardrobe and accessories.

In fact, his Director of Operations, his wife, Vivian Lee, met over their mutual love of Porches.

As a sports car and motorcycle enthusiast, Mr. Kim's passion brought him together fellow motorhead, Henry Kim (no relations), his business partner.

Monarchy Double Breasted Motorcycle Coat

No wonder, with this triad of automative fans, Mr. Eric Kim has this laser beam-focus on reworking All-American classics, such as the motorcycle jacket and flight jacket which came from the engineering world.

Monarchy Monogramed Flight Jacket

With a hard-core of team of sportscar and motorcycle fanatics at the helm, Monarchy, as a company, is more interested in being an American alterative to Italy's modern, sexy, and luxury causal sportswear titans of Diesel (who also reworks American classics, no different from Mr. Audigier), Miss Sixty, and G Star.

This puts them in a different league, set away from the typical preppy American mall brands, lauching them on the path of premium denim and high-end streetwear, long dominated by Italian brands.

Monarchy's Eric Kim taking his bow while his model wears an Alligator Cut Out Jacket

As of now, Monarchy is determined to be in a head-on collision course with Diesel and Miss Sixty, selling at Nordstorm, Bloomingdales, and Saks Fifth Avenue.

Mr. Eric Kim, as we know, is the only true blue American designer refreshing the American heritage of the automobile and the motorcycle.

Never worry if you cannot handle a Harley, you make his tan motorcycle jackets and coats your everyday wear and people will think you're smart.

Remember, Mr. Kim meant his clothes to be classics, trends.