With the recession in full swing, retailers appeal to high-end designers for fashionable, yet affordable inventory, according to Wall Street Journal. Design houses have seen a drop in sales due to the recession clad economy and many are eager to sign on with lower end-retailers. Target was the first to spearhead the leap to cheap-and chic clothing with its inexpensive line of houseware from designer Michael Graves, clothing by Isaac Mizrahi, and, most recently, an inexpensive designer accessories collection. Now retailers like J.C. Penny and Wal-Mart have caught on. J.C. Penny just introduced I. Ronson by Charlotte Ronson and Wal-Mart rolled out a Norma Kamali line.-LB