Jessica Simpson Jumps into Jr. Sportswear

By Stephen M. Silverman

11/04/2004 at 09:00 AM EST

Jessica Simpson already has her own lickable perfume – so why not sportswear? The pop star is launching her own line of sportswear, children's clothes, dresses, hats, watches, jewelry and underwear.

JS Brand Management (which is supervised by the father of Jessica, preacher Joe Simpson) is working with the New York-based manufacturing firm Andrew Sports Club to launch the Jessica Simpson and Sweet Kisses label, New York's Daily News reports. The licensing deal is said to be worth $10 million.

Sports Club CEO Andrew Kirpalani credits his recent college-graduate daughter, Karizma, for linking up with the 24-year-old Newlyweds star. "It was her idea," he says.

The two Kirpalanis, along with Karizma's brother Kishin, winged west to meet the Simpsons (including Jessica's husband, Nick Lachey) "at their fabulous home in the San Fernando Valley," the elder Kirpalani tells the Daily News. "They loved what we showed them. Jessica said it looked like her," and both she and her mom, Tina, will get involved with the new designs.

Kirpalani adds about dealing with Joe Simpson: "We really clicked, because I was speaking to him as an Evangelical and a preacher. Being a Hindu myself, I could just relate to that." Jessica already has a line of beauty products, and "we're negotiating right now with Reebok for the shoes," says Kirpalani, who's not ruling out a future home furnishings line.

Federated Stores, along with JC Penney and Sears, will start to carry the clothing line for back-to-school season next year.