Jessica Simpson is expanding her business empire – she is now designing clothes.
Simpson – who already has her own fragrance, range of hair extensions and bath and body line – is now taking a step into the fashion industry.
She says, “I’m extremely excited to be expanding into the dress market. I plan on creating beautiful dresses in distinctive fabrics and silhouettes that are reflective of my personal style and offer something special to the marketplace.”
Simpson’s first collection is expected to debut in 2009.
Jessica Simpson’s ex-husband Nick Lachey doesn’t regret marrying the singer, despite their emotionally-charged public divorce.
The Newlywed stars split in 2005 following a three-year union documented on their reality TV show.
But Lachey insists his highly-publicized break-up with the pop star has helped him become a better man.
He says, “I think that life is unexpected in a lot of ways… You certainly can’t predict or script the way life is going to turn out. The best you can do is just roll with those punches and be a better person for it in the end.”
Jessica Simpson’s first country concert was met with mixed reactions.
Audiences booed and clapped as the singer, 28, opened for Sara Evans on Saturday at the Country Thunder USA festival in Randall, Wisconsin.
“I don’t know what your perception is of Jessica Simpson or what tabloid you buy, but I just want you to know that I’m just a girl from Texas,” Simpson told the crowd. “I’m just like you. I’m doing what I love and dating a boy.”
She dedicated the tune “You’re My Sunday” to beau Tony Romo, who was in the audience, and performed a slew of covers — including Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” — as well as her new single “Come On Over.”
One concertgoer told the local paper: “I’ll have to drink a lot of beer to sit through her concert.”
Added another: “She’s an embarrassment to country music.”
Not all were haters.
One fan told the paper, “I actually like her country songs better. She has a great voice, plus, she’s adorable.”
Despite the lukewarm buzz, her father Joe recently told Usmagazine.com his daughter — whose album drops September 9 – is ready for country.
“It feels really good,” he said of her album. “She is extremely happy.”
Jessica Simpson isn’t avoiding her 28th birthday on Thursday – she’s already started celebrating.
The singer – joined by close friends and family – indulged in her favorite cupcake flavor, red velvet, from Crumbs bakery.
For dinner, Jessica and on-again beau Tony Romo went to Sagebrush Cantina in Calabasas, where they met up with her pregnant sister Ashlee and husband Pete Wentz.
At one point, Ashlee and Jessica got on stage to sing with The Copycats, a cover band that was playing. The band serenaded Jessica with “Happy Birthday.”
Following dinner, Jessica and Romo hit Key Club in West Hollywood to see Steel Panther (formerly known as Metal Skool).
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback even tried his hand at singing the Guns n’ Roses hit “Sweet Child O’ Mine” to Jessica and the crowd.
In January, Romo belted out Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believing” to the singer.
