Ten years ago, Jessica Simpson's father, Joe, made a deal with Hollywood executive, Jeffrey Bowler. Bowler was going to get a 10% finder's fee if he can facilitate the sale of a majority stake in The Jessica Simpson Collection, a clothing and fashion line owned by the singer. Apparently, nothing about this agreement was committed to writing.
Just recently, the majority stake in the company was allegedly sold for $ 120 million, and Bowler is claiming his 10% worth $ 12 million. He says he connected them to the buyer, arranged meetings and helped seal the deal.
According to the Daily Mail, the Simpson camp is denying Bowler's role in the recent negotiations. In 2009, Bowler did refer a possible buyer, but that deal never materialized. Jessica's father, Joe, is suing Bowler back for extortion.
The New York-based Sequential is the new buyer that paid $ 117 million for a majority stake in Jessica Simpson's brand. Bowler says one of his earlier referrals has moved to the brand management and licensing company Sequential, and was the force behind the eventual purchase.
TMZ reports that 'a rep for Jessica says she has never met Mr. Bowler, nor has she ever had any dealing with him whatsoever'.
The Jessica Simpson Collection was launched in 2006 by the singer and her mother, Tina. They collaborated with Vince Camuto, co-founder of the Nine West brand. The fashion line included clothes, handbags, shoes, fragrances, jewelry and accessories.
As of 2010, the brand was in 650 department stores across the US. In the same year, it earned $ 750 million, thus earning it the title of top selling celebrity clothing empire. The singer shared in an interview for New York magazine in 2011 why her brand is successful. 'When it comes to other celebrity brands, I think a lot of people do a great job, but it can't be all about them. Everybody doesn't want to just look like the celebrity, because they can't. They just want one element of that style.'
