HOLLYWOOD: Jessica Simpson has successfully turned her fashion venture into a multi-million dollar empire - her business has bucked the trend and is continuing to thrive amid the current global economic downturn.

The singer/actress proved her entrepreneurial ability by launching a string of self-branded products including clothing, shoes, hair extensions and edible cosmetics.

Simpson also plans to expand her brand to include lingerie, sleepwear and home furnishing.

And she is delighted her hard work is paying off - as the company is continuing to expand despite the international recession.

She tells Vanity Fair magazine, "The Jessica Simpson Collection is a $400 million business. My mom and I are creative directors. We have hundreds of people working, but nothing gets by us. It’s adorable and it’s affordable. What’s amazing right now, during this recession, is that, somehow, the business keeps growing.”