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."

Fashion is going prep, and I don't just mean the fact that Harvard is moonlighting as a fashion house. Just in time for "back to school," collegiate nostalgia seems to be sweeping the fashion community here at New York Fashion Week. Saturday, Alexander Wang showed an entire SS10 collection whose inspiration was seemingly sourced from a high school football locker-room, albeit with looks intended for ladies only. (To boot, his after-party was held in a gas station on the West Side Highway -- spending Saturday night partying at a gas station? Hello high school.) Meanwhile, both Opening Ceremony (via a collaboration with Pendleton) and Balenciaga are offering up varsity jackets for FW09.

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.

Target’s latest collaboration is right on trend with nostalgia chic (which currently seems to be pervading everything from fashion and hairstyles to illustration), as well as a renewed interest in 70s style. Following in the footsteps of Cynthia Rowley, the fashion partnership in question is with Orla Kiely. The latter is a brand best known producing for vintage-textile laden clothing, accessories, and, of course, home goods. And Orla Kiely’s line for Target is no different.

Images of Target’s latest "Go International" designer collaboration -- one created by New York fashion designer (and First Lady-Elect favorite) Thakoon -- are up at Nylon. And man oh man, am I wishing it would just hurry up and be Christmas (when the collection hits racks) already. The line is chock-full of the covetable floral prints and sumptuous textiles for which Thakoon’s RTW line is known.

After five years together, fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi is saying ta-ta to Target, says the Detroit Free Press. Given Mizrahi’s new gig as the chief creative director of Liz Claiborne, it’s not especially surprising he would have neither the time nor the desire to keep the diffusion line going. Without a doubt, Mizrahi helped spearhead the designer collaboration trend, which is more ubiquitous now than ever.

Target’s next partner in capsule collection crime has been announced, and it's none other than Vogue darling and Michelle Obama favorite Thakoon Panichgul. WWD reports that Target has enlisted Panichgul to “design a sportswear collection that breaks Christmas Day.” Talk about a something to look forward to Christmas morning. While the Thai-born, Omaha-bred designer is best known for his decidedly modern, high-end feminine frocks (think any of Mrs. Obama’s debate outfits if you need a refresher), there’s no doubt this collaboration will induce some frenzy among fashionistas from all walks of life. Not to mention, should Barack Obama be elected, there’s a very good chance you’ll spot his wife sporting the line on jogs around Capitol Hill.

What is it about Anya Hindmarch handbags? You may remember back when her "I’m Not a Plastic Bag" canvas totes were as ubiquitous as Uggs in their heyday. Label whores and green freaks alike shouldered the environmentally friendly accessory en force. Now we’re about to get hit by another Hindmarch concept-handbag invasion.

Following in the footsteps of Parisian retailer (and arguable arbiter of cool) Colette, Target has just announced it will open four pop-up shops in the Big Apple come the end of New York Fashion Week. While the former will occupy a space in Gap's 54th Street flagship store starting September 6, the latter will set up shop in Midtown, Union Square, SoHo, and the East Village. Since pop-up shops are as common to Fashion Week as post-presentation lunches at Pastis, neither announcement is especially earth-shattering. But that's not to say New York's sartorial set isn't rejoicing.

Jane Mayle may be bowing out of her New York shop, but in her place comes gothy Danish designer Camilla Staerk. The designer, who relocated to New York from London after losing her namesake to her backers there, says of the change, "I'm going back to my roots in leather and texture." You see this not just in her latest collection but also in the design of the 500-square-foot store, with its dark wood floors, leather, and walnut chairs. In other retail action, it's expected that China will see its first American Apparel store after many delays.