Core77

Nowadays it seems like everyone in the country, nay- the world is pining for designer "everything," but unfortunately, Midwest-clustered discount chains such as WalMart, KMart, and Kohl's seem to be caught in an infinite vortex of last year's trends. Why is this? Well, style-savvy designers aren't exactly jumping out of their undies to nab that discount-fashion job in Bumblefark, Iowa or Tootledoots, Wisconsin, so instead, these companies have begun to seek them out in NYC.

For example, fashion designer extraordinaire Vera Wang has agreed to design a line for Kohl's at their expense of countless trips between NYC and Wisconsin and spending a chunk of change to boot. However, as the results roll in, we can only guess that the outcome will be tremendous and profitable. "That is the advantage of doing it yourself in a place like New York," Lisa Schultz, the chief merchant at Sears, said in an interview at the company's New York design office. "We control our own destiny." WalMart, who's reputation is often described as "white-trash excellence", has even scooped up a few recruits from furniture retailer West Elm. These companies have had more than enough time to watch Target's great success in pushing "design for a bargain" and focusing on the hip, the now, and being all up in the NYC hizzy.

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