Refinery29 Dispatch: Monday's Shows

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Here, Refinery29 weighs in on the shows that took place yesterday, the sixth splendiferous day of Fashion Week. And now, what you need to know about Monday's runways.

· VPL BY VICTORIA BARTLETT
Far less politically charged than anything we've seen from veteran stylist and ace-bandage provocateur Victoria Bartlett, VPL's spring/summer presentation in Chelsea started and ended quietly. Her continued use of medical motifs - her operating-room-chic shoulder caplets were back—and her ballet-practice shorts (this time with grommet-accented hems) picked up where last season left off. Bartlett's use of color was, as always, deft with creams, pinks and fall browns accented by bright yellow sobaku shorts and a darkly glamorous navy knit cowl. Jean Michael Cazabat's dark, polished flats and tortoise-shell stackers were a welcome blast of cool, winter air in this collection of easy breezy wraps and tanks.

· POLTOCK & WALSH
UK-based girls Fiamma Poltock and Katie Walsh brought a bit of London rebellion to an otherwise sleepy spring/summer season with a collection that pushed the envelope. Colorful mille-feuille-style mini-skirts and dresses had a good-girl-gone-bad kind of vibe paired with sheer black nylons, and the duos adeptness at sculptural blouses and cascading gowns stood out. One major miss: a pair of black rocker pants that seemed not to be fit properly for any woman. Overall, an inspired presentation with some curious, if not repetitive turns that will keep us watching for a few seasons to come.

· CHRIS BENZ
Anchor's away...Chris Benz's colorful, cheerful spring/summer collection at the appropriately chosen New York Yacht Club was a bright addition to the ever-growing resort-wear market. The three chromatically divided displays tauted near-day-glo pinks, apricots, chartreuse, and blues. The gabardine linen sport coat at one end of the room was darling, and the plaid Masai wrap on the other charmed. Even if the silk dresses and voluminous sheers in between were highly familiar, the loose looks and floppy, pigment-dyed sun hats brightened up our day.

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