Jessica Simpson's Brand Owner Files Bankruptcy

New York-based Sequential Brands Group Inc., parent company of the fashion collection of pop singer Jessica Simpson, filed for Chapter 11 protection Tuesday in Delaware federal court.

In 2015, Sequential Brands bought a 62.5% stake in the Collection for $117 million from Camuto Group, which in 2005 bought the master license for $15 million. Like many retailers, Sequential saw lagging sales due to the pandemic.

In May, the New York Post reported that Simpson was seeking to raise cash to buy back the Collection amid concerns about Sequential Brands' potential bankruptcy. On Tuesday, the Post reported that Simpson "failed to raise enough to acquire her clothing line."

A report in October 2020 from GoBankingRates estimated Simpson's net worth at about $200 million.

Simpson, 41, has recorded seven studio albums. In 2012, she signed a multimillion-dollar deal with Weight Watchers and had endorsement deals with Pizza Hut and ProActiv acne products, among others.

The Collection includes footwear, apparel, fragrance, lingerie, handbags, children's apparel, and home decorating styles. The brand has been available at multiple big-brand retailers, like Dillard’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom, and Zappos.com.