Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Forget music... How Jessica Simpson's fashion empire is on course to break $1billion in sales

By TAMARA ABRAHAM

By TAMARA ABRAHAM

Fashion's $1billion woman: Jessica Simpson's fashion label is set to enjoy record sales next year


Her film career appears to have been a one-hit wonder, and her latest album has had mixed reviews.

But Jessica Simpson, it seems, has quietly been making a huge success of her fashion label.

The 30-year-old, who launched her clothing label just three years ago, is set to break $1billion in sales next year, according to fashion industry title WWD.

This year alone, it made $750million in retail sales, though the projected figure for next year takes into account the launch of a sportswear collection.

Nine West founder Vince Camuto, who owns the Jessica Simpson Collection brand master licence, explained the secret to her success.

'She is the girl next door and has great product that surrounds her,' he told WWD.
'People like her. People look at her as a style icon.'

Jack Gross from the Jones Group, which licenses the Jeanswear line added: '15, 16-year-olds and 40-year-olds like her.

'Sometimes she has missteps, and they identify with her.'

Since its launch in 2007, Simpson, who is a creative director for the collection, along with her mother, has expanded her offering to include a popular footwear range, accessories, luggage and even a fragrance.

The denim collection is already stocked in 650 department stores across the U.S., including Macy’s, Dillard’s and Belk, where 600 people once queued to see the star make a personal appearance.


Success story: Simpson in a campaign for her footwear and handbag line


Jessica Simpson Jeans and the new sportswear line alone are expected to make $200 million in retail sales over the next two years.

The Dukes of Hazzard star revealed that the sportswear would be inspired by understated designer brands like Isabel Marant, Theory, and Sportmax.

'Since entering the fashion industry, I've envisioned including a sportswear line in my lifestyle brand,' she said in a press release.

'This new sportswear line reflects my evolving style, which combines comfort, femininity and flirty fun.'


Growing empire: The range has expanded to include jeans, sportswear and three different fragrances, including the latest, Fancy Nights


Simpson, who recently got engaged to NFL player Eric Johnson, personally has an estimated net worth of $100million.

In an interview to promote her new album, Happy Christmas, she said that she had not had time to start wedding preparations yet.

'We have not started planning. I'm trying to get through all this promotion. Who knows what will happen?

'We're just going to enjoy the engagement and we'll get married the moment we feel like it.'

source : dailymail

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