Jessica Simpson returns to spotlight after baby announcement

Pregnant Jessica Simpson posed for the cameras to launch her new clothing line on Saturday (05Nov11) in her first official public appearance since announcing she's expecting a baby.

On Halloween (31Oct11), the singer/actress confirmed month-long reports she is to become a first-time parent with her fiance Eric Johnson by dressing up as a mummy to show off her growing baby bump.

And she returned to the spotlight this weekend to promote the new Jessica Simpson Girls collection at a mall in Raleigh, North Carolina, meeting fans, signing autographs and posing for photos with her sister Ashlee, who helped to design the items.

The Girls range is the latest addition to Simpson's fashion empire, which already includes womenswear, shoes, handbags and accessories.