The news is out: Rodarte will be designing a collection for Target’s Go International series, scheduled to hit stores on December 20th. There has been an awful lot of discussion about mass-market designer collaborations and how the items never live up to the designers’ higher-priced collections. Well, DUH. In order to make clothes less expensive, the materials have to be less expensive — and less expensive fabrics just don’t drape or hang as well. However, I do believe that there is some great design to be found. I, for one, have a number of pieces in my wardrobe that have come from various designer collaborations. A few of my faves: a Stella McCartney for H & M parka (still in great shape, actually), a Thakoon for The Gap white cotton tunic (that I live in), and my ultimate fave, a ball skirt from Alexander McQueen for Target (with a crinoline — it’s a lot of design for the money).

I don’t expect to walk into Target and find an affordable — and good-looking — version of those sick thigh-high boots from Fall09…

…but I do very much expect to get my hands on a rockin’ pair of knee-highs — shredded the way only the Mulleavy sisters could do it.

Manage your expectations and you just might find some cheap treasures to mix with your pricier ones!

Rodarte runway images from Style.com, Rodarte product image from Opening Ceremony, Stella McCartney parka image from iamfashion, and McQ image from Nitrolicious.