Images of avant-garde fashion brand Comme des Garçons' controversial collaboration with the Beatles (yes, as in the iconic music group) have finally arrived. Nitrolicious landed a series of photos of the looks, which include accessories like handbags as well as a number of tees. Also included in the mix: button-up shirts accented with polka dots and apples (an homage to the rock 'n roll band that's a consistent motif, popping up throughout the collection). There's no doubt this collaboration is bound to spark quite a bit of debate as a result of the relatively odd pairing of a cutting-edge fashion brand and a band that's been defunct for decades. That said, the clothes and bags appear to be exactly the kind of thing that could be a huge hit in the fashion house's native Japan, thanks the combo of prominent logos with classic Western cultural history.

Comme des Garçons is turning 40 this year. In honor of the brand's anniversary, the Japanese institution is introducing a temporary brand simply titled "black," which will include 10 standalone stores intended to bring "positive energy" in hard economic times, says the New York Times. In true Comme des Garçons style, the brand will be serving up the collections in question "guerilla-style" in a manner "that epitomizes the style, the inventiveness and the originality of its founder," the iconic Rei Kawakubo (then slowly phasing them out over the next 18 months). While Kawakubo may not be a household name outside of the fashion industry, the reach of her sartorial influence is extremely significant. "Integral to her success is that she is too original to be pigeonholed," says Suzy Menkes. Respected by the art community as well as fashion, Kawakubo "has also built an independent fashion company with a turnover of $180 million in 2008, yet with an international reputation for creativity unsullied by commerce." Not to mention, her Dover Street Market store is best described as a "hive of creativity."