Patrick Robinson, ex-Armani wunderkind turned Target darling, just can't get enough of mass market retail. British Vogue reports that Robinson has taken on the role of Vice-President of Design for the Gap.

The new job returned the Tennessee-native back to the states following an ex-pat stint in Paris as the designer for Paco Rabanne.

Vogue didn't include any details about the Gap's tempting carrot, but I'd imagine the money involved was not an insignificant. But then again, the Gap needs something -- anything, really -- to get back in the game.

Presumably, Gap's decision to go with Robinson as opposed to say, oh, anyone else was sparked by his current Go International at Target. If Target is going to go the effort (and the expense) of making Patrick Robinson a household name, why shouldn't the Gap take advantage of his current notoriety?

It's thinking like that that makes me think the Gap is down, but not for the count.