Jessica Simpson will expand her wildly successful fashion empire to the tween market, debuting a line of sportswear, denim, outerwear and shoes for girls sizes 7-16, WWD reports.
Brokered as a deal between Simpson's master license holder, The Camuto Group and Jones Apparel, Simpson will serve as co-creative director with her sister, Ashlee, marking their first collaboration.
“Creating a tween apparel collection was a natural extension for the brand. I’m excited to bring my sister, Ashlee, along as co-creative director of this division, because she brings a savvy rocker edge that defines today’s tweens,” said Jessica Simpson.
The collection, whose wholesale prices fall between $10-75-$20.75, is expected to drop in the fourth quarter of 2011, at stores including Lord & Taylor, Macy's and Dillards. According to WWD, the styles mimic the junior offerings, with trend-focused denim silhouettes (skinny, flare, shorts with leggings), graphic T-shirts, striped knits and drawstring pants. Simpson joins other star designers like the Olsen twins, whose line Olsenboye has been a highly-publicized part of JCPenney's teen offerings.
Combining such lucrative components as Simpson's uncanny star power when it comes to her brand -- estimates place sales of her products at $1 billion annually -- with the tremendously influential tween market certainly the bar high for success.
