Wal-Mart Stocking Up on Designers

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Wal-Mart is making another go at fashion after disappointing efforts with its Mark Eisen-designer George Collection and attempts at stylish Metro 7 line. Per the Wall Street Journal, "Despite the discount retailer's assurances that it had returned to its roots of selling the most basic clothing—T-shirts, tank tops and tube socks—it has been striking deals to bring in new brand-name designers and apparel. Among them: the once red-hot Norma Kamali, known for jersey-draped dresses...is creating a clothing line for Wal-Mart that will debut in the fall...Wal-Mart also has signed deals with California surfer brand Op and Jones Apparel Group's junior jeans line l.e.i." Some of the faces you'll see in the splashy ads: Kristin Cavallari and Pete Wentz. [WSJ]