The Rodarte for Target collection launched last month and we’re betting there was a huge scramble just like when Stella McCartney debuted her line for the cut-price megastore in Australia. They weren’t the most impressive of all designer collaborations but sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy’s adaptation for their low income fans certainly still makes an impact. Fashion lovers who want a piece of the action should also stock up before it’s all gone by January 31.

But more importantly, this has got us thinking about these not-so-typical allies forming in the wonderful world of fashion. In 2009 alone, we saw Jimmy Choo team up with H&M for a killer collection, and we’ve fallen in love with Paul Smith’s lomo camera and the even more lust-worthy Leica-Hermès offering. Here’s our list of the best designer collabs of all time:

1. Karl Lagerfeld for H&M

Mass-market retailer Hennes & Mauritz launched their Karl Lagerfeld collection in November 2004, kicking off the undying trend we see today. The genius behind Chanel decided to make high fashion available at low prices because he felt “the idea was modern.” The predominantly black and white collection (surprise, surprise) featured both men’s and women’s fashion and was available for one season only.

2. Jil Sander & Uniqlo

Japanese basics superstore Uniqlo and designer Jil Sander combined efforts to creat +J, launched in October 2009. The androgynous collection featured some of the sleekest staples for the everyday wardrobe, but with the Sander quirk, of course. The menagerie or outerwear, slacks, crisp collared shirts and basic blouses came in the darkest hues and was vastly appealing and easy to wear.

3. Stella McCartney & Gap Kids

Oh how we wish we were kids again! When we saw the collection tucked away with Gap’s cute dresses and pint-size jeans range, we fell in love all over again. Chock full of slouchy sweaters, tutu skirts, Sergeant Pepper jackets (that we might add, we almost bought because they were just too cute to look at!), boots, and graphic tees, the collection promised to make every kid into a style icon. Time to move over, Suri!

4. Alexander McQueen and Target

The very first designer to take part in Target’s Designer Collaborations, Alexander McQueen created some of the most inspiring looks and took time to make his designs stand out with bright splashes of colour and alternative silhouettes. We wanted every single piece from that lookbook and that says a lot coming from our discerning tastes. McQueen still inspires us today and we are still secretly praying that he’ll do another low-cost line just so we can get our McQueen fix again.

5. Louise Goldin for Topshop

After months of leaked rumours and leaked photographs on the fashion blogosphere, Vogue.com officially confirmed that Louise Goldin’s first shoe collection would be launched at Topshop for £150 a pair. The shoes were first spyed at Goldin’s Spring/Summer 2010 London Fashion Week show, and the shoes will be in stores from February 5.

Adorned with jewels and studs, the designer looked to the 90s and the Baroque period for inspiration. The three pairs come with diamante detailing and fierce studded toes or heels.

6. Kit Willow for Portmans

When Australian dream-dress designer Kit Willow announced she would join forced with Portmans, our hearts went a flutter with dreams of flowing frocks and frolics in the forest. The eight wearable and delicately detailed dresses were designed exclusively for a limited edition range entitled “Dream of a Dress” and debuted in time for the Melbourne Cup. The range hit stores in October 2003 and albeit a slow start, the collection was seen on everybody who was anybody in the Aussie fashion circuit and made the perfect statement for designer collaboration on a small scale.

7. Penelope Cruz and Mango

Starlet Penelope Cruz isn’t quite a fashion designer but by dragging along sister Monica, they gave Spanish label Mango a huge boost with their 70-piece collection, designed over two seasons. There were red carpet-nspired evening wear, jeans, knits and daywear based on vintage pieces from their own wardrobes, and the stunning siblings left us with a photo campaign to remember.

8. Prada for LG

LG had been pushing their way into the fashion phone market for the longest time before Prada came in and made it huge, and gave them possibly THE most stylist phone yet. The touch screen phone was a pioneer in its field and the chic, minamalist design made it the must-have phone for all fashion fanatics. One things for sure, it made a Prada attainable but everyone on the street and what could be better than that? Of course, D&B also collaborated with Motorola to produce a blingtastic gold V3i, and Dior have most recently joined efforts with Vertu to give us this stunner.

9. Kate Moss for Topshop

The British beauty needed no introduction when she was asked to become a designer and muse for the high street fashion house, creating line after line, season after season of looks inspired by paparazzi shots of her daily getups and her love for vintage pieces. Every teenage girl clamoured to get in on a piece of Kate and her fantastic sequinned mini dresses, imaginative leggings and slouchy tees that promised ease of wear while oozing oodles of style.

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