“I call it my all-American collection. It’s sort of an apology for being such a [jerk]. I was quoted in an interview saying American tourists were ruining the Paris landscape with their fanny packs and their man bags, so this collection has leather jackets that have arms that zip off and the jacket becomes a bag.” —Rick Owens on his AW09 Men’s collection.

“I can try the clothes on myself.…The feeling, the comfort and the pleasure of wearing some pieces, for the feeling that it gives to you, it’s very important. Even when something is too small for me, I put it on anyway just to touch the fabric.” —Dries Van Noten in WWD on the best part of designing men’s versus women’s wear. (Though we don’t believe he can resist trying on his spectacular women’s clothes.)

I’ve been trying to catch up on the men’s shows before Paris hits and it’s always interesting to scroll through everything at once.

I’m clicking through the boring suits with contrast lapels and short shorts that won’t work on any guy who hasn’t been to the gym every day for the past month and I’m noticing what might be the oddest trend ever: Socks.

My inner fashion demon, the ones from way back, like second grade, have always told me that socks and sandals are the biggest, most absolute NO ever.

But now, post-hours on men.Style.com, I learn that Stefano Pilati thinks they’re OK, Dean and Dan think they’re grand and even Consuelo Castiglioni over at Marni channeled “Grandpa with his pants down” when she decided that loafers paired with knee-highs and boxer shorts make an acceptable outfit.

And now my fashion compass is all sorts of off.

—KYLE HAYES

Oh Hello: Ed Westwick’s celebrity crush is Scarlett Johansson. He also likes low-top sneakers and laments the fact that Chuck Bass has a billion dollars and he doesn’t. {NylonTV}

Drama Feed: Dolce & Gabanna’s AW09 campaign features lots of models, lots of Marilyn dresses, lots of fur and lots of dresses that we’d really love to have (especially if they come with one of the male models.) {Models}

Strap This: According to Garance, because according to the Italians, everyone needs a little strapless dress this summer, worn with flats during the day. This, we love. {Garance}

So What?: There’s a dude from Kentucky who diets so that he can walk for Cavalli and Co. He only eats twice a day. Mon dieu! {NYTimes}

A Fashion Veneta: Booth Moore’s in Milan, well actually everyone’s in Milan, for Men’s Fashion Week. She caught the Bottega Veneta show on camera. Will purple ever not be in for men? {LATimes}

Surprise, Surprise: Look who’s on the cover of Teen Vogue. Emma Watson, looking like we do in our wildest dreams and saying, like they all do, “I want to be normal.” {TeenVogue}

Say It’s So: Gap’s bringing back their Heaven and Dream fragrances, the latter of which throws me back to my 8th grade locker, Third Eye Blind, Doc Martens and tiny floral dresses. {BeautyAddict}

“But the problem isn’t limited to design. The overwhelming number of people in their 20’s at the shows guarantees that everything will seem new to them. So Mr. Jones can do pointless things to tailored clothes. John Galliano can summon his pirates and tri-cornered highwaymen. Jean Paul Gaultier can pop on the Afro wigs and issue some jivey pinstripes (with a mini-me line of children’s clothes). And Riccardo Tisci of Givenchy can evoke a Teutonic fantasy with laced black-leather leggings and severely buzzed heads. There is little demand to do something that’s actually new and relevant.” - Cathy Horyn, on Men’s Fashion Week, in the Times.

Everyone’s wondering why Delphine Arnault - Bernard’s daughter - was front row at Gareth Pugh this week, sparking rumors that LVMH is gearing up to add the young designer to their luxury constellation.

So here’s the other part to that rumor:

We hear that not only has Gareth already joined LVMH, but he’s set to do so as Kris Van Assche’s replacement at Dior Homme (no word on where KVA will go).

And we’ll all read about it very soon - Vogue Nippon has a piece coming out soon that details the move.

Morning!

Gareth Pugh showed his first full menswear collection in Paris last night.

The “visionary” collection - super skinny pants, platform patent boots, chain mail vests - might’ve sparked LVMH’s interest, according to The Telegraph. Delphine Arnault, Bernard’s daughter, sat in the front row and personally congratulated Gareth on his show.

The editorial darling could be a big financial risk for LVMH (whose stable of fashion brands include the more reliable likes of Fendi, Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs) and a much needed breath of fresh air on the heels of their Lacroix sale.

If forced, we’d have pegged Gareth for Gucci Group membership, but it’s hard to imagine him under anyone else’s control, financial or creative, and answering to a larger body who demands a certain measure of commercial success (because we’re pretty sure Michelle Lamy, Rick Owens’ wife and Pugh’s current backer, loves him just the way he is).

Meanwhile, if Pugh joins the luxury conglomerate, shoes and bags are guaranteed and the thought of Gareth Pugh shoes knocks the wind out of us.