Molly Bloom knows style

French brand agnès b. homme showed some cool, wearable looks earlier this week. A lot of dudes ask “Where should I shop? I have the money to spend, I just don’t see anything I like or know where to go.” If you have a bit of money to spend (and if you work in the tech industry you do, hint hint) there are agnès b. shops in SF, LA and NYC that carry the homme line. In my experience the sizing can run a bit small and it’s best to try on before buying. agnès b. homme sells durable and fashion-forward staples such as crisp white shirts, nice knits and black pants. Don’t sleep on some of their more trendy or colorful items — you may find a soon-to-be old favorite.

Jean Paul Gaultier showed his Fall 2007 Couture in Paris today. He’s best known for designing Madonna’s conical brassieres circa 1990 but has been cranking out couture for decades.

Oh-seven couture? Love it. Especially love the lace applied to the faces of some models. And I love that their hair is made to look like a crown. I’ve been seeing a lot of crowns lately, what with the Vivienne Westwood show and all. I love-love the coat pictured above. I’ve been kicking around an idea for a regal evening coat for some years. I was given an antique kimono at Burning Man a few back. I want to take some of the embroidered designs and appliqué them on a sturdy cloak. I’ve recently been thinking about the coat and this couture number is speaking to me. Stay tuned.

John Galliano’s latest couture collection for Christian Dior is exactly what couture should be. It has drama and color and outsize proportions. It is serious but knows how to tell a good joke. And he brought back the true supermodels, including Linda Evangelista, the fiercest of the fierce walkers.

Ooooh la la.

It’s hard for most dudes to identify with men’s runway. But there are things you will see trickle down as ready-to-wear trends. And I’m not talking about the golf shirts.

Givenchy showed highwater pants with significant creases pressed into the legs — my money’s on this trouser trend. Another look was full through the thigh and knee to a tighter hem. The silhouette is similar to pegged jeans (back in the regrettable 1980s, there was a time when you rolled up your jeans in such a way that they cut off the circulation to your feet and made your legs resemble balloons).

Prada’s spring collection was mostly black. The cuts and fabrics said spring, the colors said it-could-snow-any-minute-now. San Francisco and New York are all-black towns, but this collection offers seasonally appropriate pieces for our lazy urban palette.

Earlier this week the Council of Fashion Designers of America presented their 2007 awards. Here’s a video of the womenswear nominees. It’s very fashion-y so of course I love it.

(via fashionista)

Marchesa is a fabulous line. I am continually pleased with the textures they use. I was a bit dismayed to see so much strapless, especially in a fall season. I’ve been hoping for some great sleeved evening wear, some things elegant in three-quarter or full sleeves.

Naeem Khan
Shine! Luxe black! Glimmer!
I adore black print on black fabric. The outfit pictured about is absolutely adorable and would look good on a lot of people. The sleeves and high waist are fresh; the skirt reminds me of ornate wrought iron fences. Throughout the collection there are beautiful necklines and graceful cuts. Gorgeous.

Marc Jacobs
As always, everyone’s talking about Marc Jacobs. I like the 1920s silhouettes. They seem to be exaggerated by the hats. The prints and washed out navy blues and reds he uses remind me of travel posters of the ’20s era. He continues to surprise.

Jovovich-Hawk
I’ve written about this design team previously. They’re true to their personal styles and weild a great approach. They used to show their line in Milla Jovovich’s apartment. Now they use scene staging to create atmosphere. Models holding books and lounging in period furniture are nice touches. The clothes are gorgeous, very pretty and dressed up. They all have a retro feel without being true to any one era. And there are more polka dots to love.

paillette - A small shiny disk, larger than a sequin, sewn together with others on fabric to create a fishscale effect. Pictured above is a sweater tunic from DKNY.

Back to fashion week, where we see the styles of a far-away seeming fall.

Diane von Furstenberg
One of my favorite designers, Diane von Furstenberg, showed a polka dot coat with pink lining. It’s small touches like a shock of color in the lining (or pocket bags, for that matter) or the thoughtful dot pattern that make real fashion. This coat has a sense of humor without being clowny.

BabyPhat
I don’t get it. It’s wildly successful and I see nothing desirable. The models with teeth grills are funny though.

Carolina Herrera
I like some of the looks. I don’t like all the fur. Pass.

DKNY
This fall ‘07 line is adorable. Looks for men and women were showed. It’s very New York. A nice surprise is that it’s a tad cute or sweet. Love the dress-like zipper coat and all the pink and black. I love pink with black.

fishtail hem - An assymetrical hem that is longest at the back of the skirt. This style is usually fitted around the hips and flares out from the knee to the hemline. Earlier today Diane von Furstenberg showed a draped black dress with a full, almost a-line skirt and fishtail hem as part of her Spring 2007 line at Fashion Week. Perfect.