Back in August, Rodarte and Target hosted a sneak peek at their upcoming collaboration (which hits stores December 20) for a minute group of editors, bloggers, and sartorial tastemakers. Shortly thereafter, images of the frocks from the presentation surfaced online, then were promptly removed at the request of the respective fashion brands. Well, now a steady trickle of images from this particular presentation seems to be winding its way through various blogs and online outlets. Nitrolicious found some, as did Racked, with Refinery29 following suit with a slightly different batch of images; sadly it looks as though Refinery29 has taken down the aforementioned post about Rodarte x Target's "pantless tomfoolery."

It's a big year for Rodarte, the LA-based women's wear brand helmed by sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy. First they showed a much-heralded fall collection (which includes this season's most wanted boot, a thigh-high, lace-up leather pair by Nicholas Kirkwood). Then came news of a collaboration with Target -- a highly anticipated and extremely unexpected pairing set to debut around the holiday season in December. In the meantime the Mulleavys are acting as temporary curators of Parisian boutique Colette. And now news has arrived that the clothing label has signed a deal with William Morris Endeavor Entertainment.

Target has achieved quite a coup signing sisters Laura and Kate Mulleavy of LA-based high-fashion brand Rodarte as the next collaboration for their ongoing Go International capsule collections. Following in the footsteps of Alexander McQueen, Rodarte will create a 55-piece collection for the chain retailer that will debut in December. Considering Rodarte has achieved formidable acclaim within the fashion industry but still isn't a name that registers on the radar of most mainstream shoppers, the collaboration is especially interesting. Specifically, it will be exciting to see how the designers translate their often painstakingly crafted, ethereal collections to a less adventurous consumer base.

This year's Costume Gala at the Metropolitan Museum in New York will go down in history as one of the more memorable. Kate Moss showed up in a matching turban and toga, Madonna made headlines for her LV-approved bunny ears, while supermodels boycotted on behalf of Azzedine Alaïa; not to mention, Rodarte's after-party at subMercer produced one of the most high-profile fashion feuds in decades: Kiefer Sutherland head-butting Proenza Schouler's Jack McCollough. But don't expect the fashion faux pas or feuds to be replicated next year, says Fashion Week Daily. "According to two well-placed insiders, one very closely involved with the Museum, the 2010 Costume Institute Gala will be a much less splashy affair -- a move the museum is said to welcome. The guest list will consist mostly of trustees and benefactors who purchase full-priced tickets instead of the designers, models and Hollywood types who once sat at their comped tables."

The CFDA held its annual awards ceremony in New York last night, honoring a rising generation of fashion power players, as well as First Lady Michelle Obama (who accepted the commendation of Board of Directors’ Special Tribute via satellite). CFDA President Diane Von Furstenberg held court, while Tracey Ullman hosted. The latter opened the ceremony with a Keifer Sutherland head-butting joke, which garnered only "weak laughter," says Fashionologie. It probably didn't help matters that Jack McCollough, half of the design team behind Proenza Schouler (who won the title of Accessories Designer of the Year) and the recipient of said head-butt post-Costume Gala, was in attendance.

Blame it on the economic downturn and the increasing push from high-fashion designers to appeal to a wider demographic: big name brands from Rodarte and Zac Posen to Derek Lam are getting into the fashion advertising game for the first time this season. According to Women’s Wear Daily, Derek Lam shot his first ad campaign in San Francisco last week -- the fruits of which feature model Karmen Pedaru in Fall 09 Lam, shot by seasoned fashion photographer Solve Sundsbo. But Lam is by no means the first designer getting his feet wet with advertising this year.

Fresh off winning the highly coveted Swiss Textiles Award at the Stella Fashion Night in Zurich yesterday, Laura and Kate Mulleavy -- the sisters behind the Pasadena-based Rodarte brand beloved by fashionistas and celebrities (Frodo included) alike -- announced they’re branching out. Grazia says that specifically, they’ll be adding handbags and heels to the line, which is synonymous with whimsical, ultra-feminine, painstakingly handcrafted pieces. Given the fact that their win yesterday includes a €100,000 prize, they should have some extra capital to get the ball rolling.

An icon of empowerment and artistic integrity for generations of music makers, Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon influences the world well beyond rock. Just ask Rodarte designers Laura and Kate Mulleavy, whose fragile, handcrafted fashion masterpieces take inspiration from the formidable bassist/singer/artist. Here, the Mulleavy sisters talk inspiration and idol crushes with one of their personal heroes.

Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy are teaming up with West Hollywood boutique Presse to sell a selection of never-before-sold runway looks, says Elle. The collaboration is the debut sale to hit the new “archival sale” section of Presse’s online shop. Meaning: more limited edition, covetable past collections are likely to hit the store’s virtual racks in the future.

According to WWD, one particular fashion trend dominating SS09 accessories is not for the faint of heart -- "guns, bullets and grenades are the focal point for a handful of jewelry designers." In the case of both LA's Bullets 4 Peace, a line spearheaded by Rafi Anteby (a former Israeli Army officer), and Dax Savage's Apocolucky Charms, arms and ammo are all the rage. On the east coast, socialite Zani Gugelmann is incorporating bullets into her not-yet-released line, Santo, which will donate 10% of sales to varying charities; meanwhile, Fetty of Brooklyn's Justin Tranter (who is also the frontman of Semi Precious Weapons) has been selling high- and low-end versions (Barney's and Urban Outfitters, respectively) of his "necklaces featuring a damaged heart with a gun, axe or saw."