Wal-Mart has introduced a new line of men's clothing designed by hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons, the creator of Phat Farm. The clothing line, American Classics, is already being tested at some locations but will launch in the next few weeks at 350 Wal-Mart stores, or about 10 percent of the store base nationwide.
Phat Farm was sold to Kellwood Co. for a reported $140 million in 2004. The collection includes plaid shorts, button-down shirts, zip cargo
pants and a cable sweater vest. The prices range from a $9 T-shirt to a
$29 hooded jacket.
Simmons, who designs the Phat Farm and Argyle Culture apparel lines,
told BusinessWeek magazine that his focus for American Classics is the
“urban graduate,” whom he described as a 25- to 50-year-old man who
identifies with men ranging from Will Smith to President Obama.
