Quickies: Margiela Leaving? New Faces at Next Month's Men's Shows, Karl Lagerfeld Hates Swans, +

Rumors are again afloat that Martin Margiela is leaving or has already left his Maison. Eventually, Mr. Margiela, publicity stunts just turn annoyances. [JC Report] 

Next month's men's shows in Paris and Milan should be a bit more energetic than last season's dreary showing. A slew of new and old favorite designers will show and present collections, which will hopefully amp up both weeks. [WWD] via [The Cut] 

Dolce & Gabbana won't ever do a diffusion line. When asked about the possibility of working with H&M 

Stefano Gabbana responded "No, we don’t need to. That kind of exposure could be dangerous for us." [Telegraph UK] 

Fashion types apparently love NYC's park-in-the-sky, The High Line. Calvin Klein is throwing a pary there this summer. Layman's would also probably love it if a) invited to CK's party or b) if they would open it to the public already. [WWD]

Karl Lagerfeld DOES NOT like swans. [The Cut]

Swine Flu strikes Vogue offices. That is so last month. [Gawker] 

Jesus Luiz. Shirtless. In a bathing suit. [Socialite Life]

A Vivienne Westwood penknife and a Natalia Brilli leather skateboard. Recession? What Recession!?[Selectism] and [Luxist]

At Home With Margiela

Yesterday at the Salon del Mobile design show, Maison Martin Margiela debuted their long-awaited home collection. Not surprisingly, the collection of rugs, lamps, shades and other housewares were produced in labels trademark shade of white which, while obviously one note, still appeal. 

According to WWD, the collection is still a "work-in-progress," meaning that most of the items will start showing up via "self-produced collections or in the development of one-off partnerships." But, fret not, individuals with deep pockets or public venues with interior design or architecture needs can commission their own pristine Maison Martin once items start showing up in showrooms next year. 

-- Seth Plattner

Quickies: Microsoft launches clothing line, WWDMen's to debut and more

Photo: Getty Images

Geek boys, today is your day: Microsoft is debuting a clothing line in late December called Softwear. But, it does have a certain built-in coolness to it given that rapper Common is helping with the design work. Expect 80s-ish designs with a techno-tweak.  [Fashionista]

With the death of DNR, WWD is now launching WWDMen's. Expect to see the premiere issue on December 15 with an examination of President-elect Barack Obama's personal fashion choices. [Racked]

Remember that diamond heist in Paris? Turns out some thieves had plans to rip off some FedEx trucks carrying millions of dollars worth of diamonds, but the FBI thwarted them. Hard times hit and everyone gets desperate. [WWD]

Margiela to dabble in housewear? If the new 2,000-square-foot apartment he outfitted at the top of the Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine museum in Paris is any indication, we could be seeing a lot of white apartments in the future. [WWD]

Open for business: Billy Reid's Nashville boutique.

-- SETH PLATTNER

Quickies: Men's Vogue safe for now, Margiela launches pre-collection and more

Men's Vogue, thought to have folded yesterday, will actually be cut to just two issues a year. The carnage of the failing economy continues. [The Cut]

Maison Martin Margiela is launching its first pre-collection, Avant Premiere. The collection, which will hit stores in May, will consist of about 60 looks for both men and women, and will also include shoes and accessories. So...he's not retiring? [British Vogue]

Thankfully someone made it over to Seoul for Fashion Week. Rebecca Milner of JC Report gives a roundup. [JC Report]

Open for Business: The Yohji Yamamoto flagship on 4 Rue Cambon in Paris.

Smell this: Brooks Brothers New York for Gentlemen fragrance.

-- SETH PLATTNER

Quickies: Lagerfeld comes to America, the mysterious Margiela and more

Photo: Getty Images

Attention: Karl Lagerfeld is coming to America.  The uber-designer has just purchased a a six-bedroom, 1840 landmark building on an island in Lake Champlain, Vermont, which he clams is "very Emily Dickinson like" -- i.e. reclusive and a little creepy. Perfect! [WWD]

Though he rarely speaks and flitters off at the flash of a camera bulb, Martin Margiela is hardly elusive enough to escape the New York Times. Eric Wilson sinks his teeth into the controversy surrounding Margiela's rumored departure from fashion and manages to materialize the invisible man.  [NYT]

French actor Andy Gillet is lending his mug for the Kenzo Power fragrance for men. Well, enchanté monsieur... [Now Smell This]

We're all itching to get our hands on the new Comme des Garcon capsule collection from H&M, so here's a list of all the locations that will be selling it. Better start camping out now. [Nitrolicious]

It's fall, so time to shoulder up some new baggage.  As if gay men need any more than we already have... [Refinery 29]

-- NOAH MICHELSON

Quickies: Alber Elbaz's school supplies, Margiela maybe moving out of the Maison, and more

Lanvin's Alber Elbaz loved the colored pencils he used to sketch his collections so much that he's putting his name on a limited edition set. It's not guarantee you'll be showing at the tents if you get your own set, but look how pretty! [WWD]

The big rumor out of Paris is that Martin Margiela is ready to move out of the Maison. He's been hinting to colleagues for the past year that he is set to retire his sewing kit, but no one can get any confirmation.  Margiela is as elusive for interviews as Palin is for press talks. [NYT]

Men's Vogue is hoping that its new slogan will improve readership. "Style is how you live" is catchy, but it will never be as clever as those two looming letters: GQ. [The Cut] via [WWD]

Smell This: Ikon by mens skincare line, Zihr.  With notes of lemon, cardamom, cedar and amber.  Generic, yes, but you have to ease some men into male grooming. [Now Smell This]

-- SETH PLATTNER

Target Lawsuit; Keanan Duffty Channels Bowie; Marc Jacobs Romance Novel Obsession; Project Runway is So Gay; Visit Maison Martin Margiela

Target is being sued for not making its website accessible to the blind. Are they really missing much? The site is such an eye sore and their products aren't known for being exceptional (except for the rare designer collaborations), so the visually impaired aren't missing much. [DNR]

In other Target news, Keanan Duffty-designed menswear inspired by David Bowie will hit stores beginning October 14th. Think The Man Who Fell to Earth-style puffy vests, T-shirts, and skinny jeans, priced at an ultra affordable $15-60. This should be interesting. [Fashion Week Daily]

Marc Jacobs is always up for going the extra mile to make a production out of his runway shows. The tent in the courtyard of the Louvre for Louis Vuitton's runway presenation features a ceiling papered with vintage romance novel covers with the title "After Dark," and covered with with Vuitton's LV monogram. Tres chic! Let's hope the show starts on time. [WWD]

Tour the Maison Martin Margiela store in Manhattan's Meat Packing District. Visiting the actual store can be dangerous for your wallet. [NY Times]

Project Runway's is gayer than ever (obviously they are paying attention to their demographics). And that's the way it should be! There's just one lone straight man in a sea of girls and homos. [AfterElton]