Jessica Simpson's Maternity Line

 Jessica Simpson has unveiled her first line of maternity clothing.

The 31-year-old, who gave birth to daughter Maxwell Drew Johnson on May 1, has designed the range in collaboration with U.S. retailer Destination Maternity.

Due out in stores in fall, the collection will include form-fitting jersey knit maxi dresses as well as sweaters, capes, jackets, tops and leggings.

Bottoms will be priced between $36 and $59 while chunky knit tops will be priced at $36.

Seventies-inspired dresses and blouses, that aim to eventuate a woman's new curves, will be priced at $59.

 

Sweaters and capes will cost around $69 each.

The collection will be stocked in more than 700 stores across the U.S. including Macy's, Motherhood Maternity and, of course, Destination Maternity.

Denim will also feature heavily and a variety of washes will be available.

The Fashion Star mentor said in a press release: 'I'm [pleased] to partner with Destination Maternity to design a collection of fashionable styles that make you look and feel great.

'You want to wear clothes that are flattering to your baby bump; you want to show your bump off.'

Chris Daniel, president of Destination Maternity, told WWD he was just as pleased about having the new mother jump on board.

He said: 'It was a natural for us. She's very well known for style and fashion and the great work she's been doing growing her brand with the Camuto Group.'

The Camuto Group is the master licensee of the Jessica Simpson Collection.

The two companys have worked in unison ever since the release of the singer's debut shoe line in 2005.

Sunglasses, handbags, dresses, jewellery and more have been released over the years.

The maternity line will be the 24th product line to be sold under the singer's name.

Her fashion empire will allegedly be worth almost $1billion by the end of this year.

The deal follows other recent celebrity signings by Destination Maternity.

Rosie Pope, a pregnancy guru featured on the Bravo series Pregnant In Heels, is also a spokesman for the brand.

Heidi Klum has released several fashion lines with the company.

 Simpson, who is engaged to Eric Johnson, told Elle magazine earlier this year that she hoped her daughter will enjoy fashion as much as she does.

She said: 'I swear, I will croak if she asks me for a pair of Nikes instead of Christian Louboutins!

She added that she believes the little girl may, in fact, take after her father.

'Eric is so athletic. We're going to have this athletic girl and I won't even be able to take her shopping.'

Tori Spelling Defends Jessica Simpson's Weight Gain

Tori Spelling is the latest star to come out in defense of Jessica Simpson's pregnancy weight gain.

The 38-year-old actress, who is currently pregnant with her fourth child, said people should 'lay off' Jessica, and let her enjoy this 'special time'.

She told Celebuzz.com: 'When women are pregnant, people need to lay off.

'It's a really special time and you should be able to deal with it in your own terms.'

Tori's comments came after The View's Joy Behar caused a stir with her comments about Jessica's weight, saying the star has gained a lot more than is usual during her pregnancy.

She said: 'Remember the the time that Jessica Simpson was criticised because she didn't know the difference between chicken and tuna? That kind of thing is more fun to criticise than the fact that the girl is fat. 

'Most women who are pregnant are not supposed to gain more than 25 pounds. She looks like she gained a lot more than that.'

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Following Behar's comments, Sarah Palin was quick to defend Jessica, saying: 'I would have wanted to punch Jessica's critics in the neck. It's none of anybody else's business how much weight I would gain.'

And body image expert Dr. Robyn Silverman told Fox News of Jessica's weight: 'I find it appalling that people believe it is their place to criticize a woman for gaining weight during pregnancy. Jessica Simpson’s body health and the health of her developing baby are the business of her doctor, her fiancé, and most of all, herself. 

'Jessica Simpson is a great demonstration of a woman who is enjoying her pregnancy and is not hyper focused on how she looks while pregnant.'

Jessica, whose first child with fiancé Eric Johnson is due on April 20th, previously explained her weight gain as having too much 'amniotic fluid'.

She said: 'Apparently I have a lot of amniotic fluid, so whenever my water breaks it will be like a fire hydrant!'

Ashlee Simpson Says Jessica Has Plenty of Time Before Giving Birth

Ashlee Simpson poses on the red carpet during the opening of Marquee Nightclub at The Star on March 30, 2012 in Sydney, AustraliaCredit: Don Arnold/WireImage.com

Despite Jessica Simpson's super-pregnant state, sister Ashlee Simpson isn't worried about missing the birth of her first niece.

On Thursday, the star, 27, jetted to Australia to celebrate the opening of Marquee, The Star, Sydney in Sydney Australia. At the event, she was overheard responding to a reporter's question about Jessica giving birth while she is down under.

"I have plenty of time," Ashlee answered. "And I'm going home [today] so it will be fine." (At the event Nick and Vanessa Lachey, Joe Jonas, Kellan Lutz, Wilmer Valderrama and Minka Kellywere also in attendance.)

Last week, Jessica was overheard telling a shopper at Fred Segal that her first child with fiance Eric Johnson still has a few weeks left in the oven.

"Only one month to go!" the Fashion Star mentor, 31, said. "I can't wear heels anymore. I tried, but it was too hard. Wearing heels is like a religion to me, so it's tough!"

Your Daily Jessica Simpson Sighting: This Time in a Black Maxi Dress & Red YSL Bag

At less than a few weeks away from her due date pregnant singer Jessica Simpson is refusing to put her feet up. 

The 31-year-old negotiated her enormous bump on a shopping trip with a friend in Los Angeles yesterday. 

Jessica stepped out in a clinging black maxi dress which showed off her curved stomach. 

The singer and Fashion Star mentor appears to have finally given in to wearing flat footwear and was seen in a pair of comfortable and sensible flip flops. 

The blonde mother-to-be and her friend headed to Fred Segal and if Jessica had picked up anything her friend was carrying it as the brunette left with a series of bags. 

Jessica was seen cradling her bump with her hands and held a bright YSL handbag in the crook of her arm. 

The mother-to-be recently spoke out about her pregnancy to Hello! magazine. 

She said: 'I had a great pregnancy. Eating and not having to worry too much about it has been fun.'

'Taking a break from working out has definitely been fun. But I’m ready for it to be over. I’m ready to have my body back!'

Jessica, who appears to have been pregnant for much longer than her three trimesters, told the magazine that she can't wait to deliver her unborn son or daughter. 

'I feel like I could pop at any second,' she said.

Jessica Simpson plays Bridesmaid

With her first baby due to be born any day now, Jessica Simpson hasn't had much time to plan for her wedding.

But yesterday she finally managed to walk down the aisle with her man by her side.

However, she wasn't about to tie the knot to Eric Johnson but play bridesmaid to one of her closest friends.

Bumping along: Jessica Simpson, whose baby is due any day, waddled down the aisle at a friend's wedding with fiancé Eric Johnson by her side

But she very nearly upstaged the bride as all eyes were on her massive stomach as everyone waits with baited breath for her to finally have her baby.

Jessica, 31, certainly looked radiant in her pink halterneck dress as she joined the ceremony at the Parker Palm Springs Resort in California.

I can't see my feet! Jessica's bump is so huge that she needed a hand walking down the aisle

Standing out: Jessica and her bump were hard to miss as she joined the wedding party for a group photo

Here are the real stars of the show: Reaper star Bret Harrison and his new wife Lauren Zelman 

She was joined by her younger sister Ashlee at the sunset wedding of their friend and former assistant Lauren Zelman to Reaper actor Bret Harrison.

Ashlee's three-year-old son Bronx acted as ring bearer and one eyewitness told People: 'He broke down in tears several times, but Ashlee was great and kept making him smile again.'

Big day for the little man: Jessica Simpson's sister Ashlee was also a bridesmaid but her three-year-old son Bronx was given the task of ringbearer...

... but it all became a bit overwhelming for him and he had to be comforted by his mother before his big moment

And the source added that Jessica needed a helping hand down the aisle so there was no danger of her falling over.

They said: 'It was difficult for her to get around, but she was a great sport and kept smiling. 

Come with me: Ashlee was accompanied down the aisle by one of the groomsmen, screenwriter and producer Josh Schwartz

Single and loving it: Ashlee, who has kept her blonde hair short, looked like she was having a great time at the wedding

'Everyone at the wedding was doting on Jessica and seemed very understanding. And Lauren seemed very happy that Jessica was able to be a part of her wedding.

Other wedding guests included actors Adam Brody, best known from The O.C, and screen Josh Schwartz, who were groomsmen, plus Simpson's best friend CaCee Cobb and her fiancé, Scrubs star Donald Faison.

The happy couple: Bret and Lauren were joined by a few of their celebrity friends

Enjoying yourself? The O.C star Adam Brody looked delighted to have a bridesmaid on each arm

Jessica Simpson's Baby Shower

  

Baby celebration: Jessica Simpson and her fiance Eric Johnson are pictured at the singer's Charlotte's Web themed baby shower earlier this month 

'I had a great pregnancy. Eating and not having to worry too much about it has been fun,' she said.

'Taking a break from working out has definitely been fun. But I’m ready for it to be over. I’m ready to have my body back!'

Jessica, who appears to have been pregnant for much longer than her three trimesters, told the magazine that she can't wait to deliver her unborn son or daughter. 

'I feel like I could pop at any second,' she said.

The singer recently celebrated her impending motherhood with a baby shower at her Los Angeles home.

Jessica told Hello! magazine that the bash, which was attended by the likes of Jessica Alba and her sister Ashlee Simpson, had a Charlotte's Web theme.

The E.B. White book was Jessica's favourite fictional story growing up.

During the celebrations, the woman played games and enjoyed several activities including guessing the size the size of Jessica’s bump and knitting lessons.

The get together wasn't just for adults only: the guest list also had the who's who of celebrity offsprings.

Alba brought her daughter, Haven, seven months, and Ashlee brought her son Bronx, three.

Following the party, Jessica opened her lavish gifts with fiance Eric Johnson.

'Eric is going to be an unbelievable dad,' she told Hello!. 'I can’t wait to see if he can master ponytails and braids!'

Meanwhile, despite a torrential downpour yesterday, nothing was going to come between Jessica and her pregnancy cravings.

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For more: Jessica's interview and baby show pictures are in this week's issue of Hello! magazine

The reality TV star has not been shy when it has come to discussing her pregnancy or showing off her burgeoning belly.

Recently, the she refuted claims that she was carrying twins and explained the cause of her huge belly on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show.

She told the host, 'Apparently I have a lot of amniotic fluid, so whenever my water breaks it will be like a fire hydrant!'

Jessica also appeared naked on the cover of April's ELLE magazine and said that the Demi Moore inspired photo was all her idea.

'They didn't even ask me to do that,' she said on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show.

'It was my idea. It kind of just seemed a natural thing for me to do.'

'I'm like 170 pounds and I wanted to pose nude,' she explained. 'I try to be like 110 pounds.

'It's funny to be at your heaviest and feel the most confident. I just take such pride in being a mom! I just love my body more than ever now.'