Celebrity Mound

Jessica Simpson is helping to bring her red carpet fashions to her fans – she’s launched a collection of prom dresses.

The singer, who has her own successful clothing label, has teamed up with wedding outfitters David’s Bridal to release the special occasion gowns, which range in price from $139 to $229.

And the blonde beauty is confident there will be something for everybody.

Simpson says, “Inspired by the fabulous designer gowns I’ve worn to red carpet events, my affordable collection is designed to fit and flatter a variety of body types and help girls achieve their own red carpet style for prom.”

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 $1 billion 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 license, 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 turn out to see the star make a personal appearance.

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.’

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

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.’

The team behind Jessica Simpson has been accused of snubbing a group of Iraq and Afghanistan veterans after their combat fatigues were deemed too scruffy to join her on stage for a glamorous TV special.

The 4Troops, a singing group of combat veterans, were told their camouflage gear was not fancy enough to sing with Simpson on her PBS Christmas special filmed at the Roseland Ballroom on Thursday.

A source said, “Jessica’s dad, Joe Simpson, effectively kicked them off the show because he didn’t like what they were wearing. They were in camo pants and blazers, the same outfits they wore to sing for Gen. David Petraeus on the USS Intrepid. They were told they couldn’t perform unless they were wearing tuxedos.

“They waited for six hours until midnight only to be told their number with Jessica had been cut from the show,” the source said. “The irony was Jessica was on stage saying how much she supports and admires the troops, and the veterans were stuck in a room in the basement. Instead of enduring more humiliation, the veterans left.”

4Troops consists of former Sgt. Daniel Jens, who was deployed in Iraq in 2007; former Capt. Meredith Melcher, who also served in Iraq; Staff Sgt. Ron Henry, who retired from the Army after a 20-year career; and former Sgt. David Clemo, who did tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

A spokeswoman for 4Troops said, “Joe should be ashamed of himself.” Jens said, “I am so disappointed and angry, I threw up when I got back to my room.”

Simpson’s rep said: “The song was cut due to time. Jessica wasn’t even aware. She is wholeheartedly devoted to the troops. She just returned from the Persian Gulf where she performed for and met with service men and women stationed at several different locations. The military was the source of inspiration for her entire Christmas album, so much so that she recorded a duet for the album with a USS Harry Truman sailor.”