Betsey Johnson xoxo
Betsey Johnson does two cartwheels a year. She closes each fashion show with a physical display of pure fun, after her outlandishly girly designs prance down the runway. With her penchant for tulle, lace, and hot pink, and a flare for frills, Betsey Johnson has a definitive aesthetic that has evolved loudly over four decades.
Betsey spent her childhood in dance classes and fell deeply in love with the elaborate recital costumes- all things tulle, sequined, and dramatic. With this bright, exuberant inspiration, it seemed almost inevitable that she would emerge as a designer during the 1960's "Youth Quake", a time when fashion was spirited, fun, and youthful.
She was involved in the Warhol scene, dressing Edie Sedgwick and Velvet Underground's John Cale, as she worked for cult brands and ran various boutiques. She started her own label in 1978 with model Chantal Bacon, focusing on dancewear inspired punk pieces, and even today, her collections are filled with retro fills.
Every line she produces is crazy and unique, but her aesthetic has changed very little over her career. You can easily pick Betsey's clothes out of a crowd, year after year. She doesn't shy away from bright colors, fanciful proportions, and never fails to produce petticoats, sparkles, and bows. Walking into a Betsey Johnson boutique feels like stepping into a punk rock fairy tale where grown women can play dress up and simply have fun with fashion. As Betsey said, “Girls do not dress for boys. They dress for themselves and, of course, each other.” And what girl doesn't want to wear a tutu and dance around every once and a while?
The pieces above give a taste of Betsey Johnson’s looks through the years. Between the bright floral vintage 70s dress in the middle, it's almost comical and definitely ridiculous. As the punk movement of the 80s gained full force, Betsey designed a dress that could easily be in stores today. It has her iconic flare with the unexpected pops of color, a puffy fur sleeves, and an edgy yet feminine leather dress. Also, on the end, the silhouette of the strapless fitted bodice to a flared skirt became a classic element of the label. All the dresses on the reflect her themes of bright extravagance and frivolity consistent from the 90s to today.
It's easy to say Betsey Johnson marches to the beat of her own drum, but I think she would say she doesn't march, she dances. Her individuality is what makes her timeless. She advocates women being true to themselves, and encourages lightheartedness in fashion.
To get a better glimpse into the mind of Betsey check out this quick interview done by Nylon Magazine!
In 1999 CFDA honored Betsey with the Timeless Talent award. Despite occasional financial problems, her label has survived 30+ years by sticking to one very distinct style. Whether you are a fan of her clothes or not, she has brought a different voice to the fashion industry. A journalist recently described her place in the world of fashion and said, "If Betsey Johnson didn't exist, we would have to invent her, simply to remind ourselves that fashion can be fun. She's the original wild child and set to paint the town pink."
Sources:
