Betsey Johnson
New York City Fashion Week Spring 2009: Betsey Johnson
“THESE PRODUCTS ARE NO LONGER BEING SOLD”
What: Betsey Johnson Runway Show, Tent at Bryant Park, New York City Fashion Week Spring 09.
The Lowdown: You don’t go to a Betsey Johnson show expecting to see something you could wear to the grocery store—it’s kind of as fantasy/costume/dress up as ready-to-wear gets. Part pirate, part punk princess, part little girl playing dress up, it’s all about taking traditional feminine sensibility and turning it on it’s wild-haired blond head. This year didn’t disappoint; Betsey’s signature bright colors and floral prints made their appearance, put together in tiered, full skirted dresses, but we also saw the black, white and red that seem to keep recurring across the Spring runways this year—along with ruffles, horizontal stripes, and corset/lingerie detailing. Unlike many of the other collections we’ve seen, belts were non-existent, as were other accessories on the whole (but with Betsey Johnson’s ensembles, who needs accessories anyway?). Every look, however, came with a hat—mostly in the form of straw bowler styles, with wide grosgrain bands . . .
Budget Solution: Full-on florals are always very Betsey, and this Spring is no different—check out Forever21, Target, Victoria’s Secret for full-skirted, small-print florals—or take a look at this floral strapless dress on sale now at Newport News (layer it with a short floral jacket in complementary colors for a real BJ look). And the great thing about Betsey Johnson is you can actually buy a real live Betsey Johnson dress without spending a fortune. This striped number, for example, at Label Spree is on sale now for $102, and with its black and white stripes will be totally on-trend in the Spring.
Fall Fashion Week 2006: Nothing Like a Good BJ
There are very few people in the fashion world that I would be willing to drag myself out of my 500 thread ct. sheet-covered sick bed to go see during the circus called Fashion Week. Isaac Mizrahi at Target show—oh yes. Marc Jacobs—I would be there as fast as you could say “Mary Kate Olsen”, and Betsey Johnson—you betcha your crazy blond dreadlocked self.
However, Isaac isn’t showing this FW and my Marc Jacobs invite got lost in the mail. But good ole’ Betsey came through as always, so I found myself trekking past the wall of security guards stationed outside of Bryant Square park, to attend the Betsey Johnson Fall 2006 Fashion Show. And Betsey didn’t disappoint.
The Clothes. Betsy was one of the few designers to show any colors—although this collection was much more conservative than her past collections. Like every other designer, dresses dominated the collection. Unlike every other designer, her dresses were shorter in length (about mid-thigh).
The Show. Betsy always has BANGING music. The type of music that gets everyone on the floor at a club. I’m talking Prince, Neptunes, etc. It was kinda of funny watching the stiff fashion editors and ultra fashionistas try not to tap their feet (apparently, fun isn’t very fashionable). I was a little surprised at the lack of models of color. However, there were plenty of celebs and pseudo celebs in the audience (I was right next to lesbian girl from American’s Top Model). The best part (besides her signature cartwheel) was her tribute to her very pregnant daughter—with banner and pink balloons.
For more on Fall Fashion Week 2006, visit New York Magazine
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