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Betsey Johnson: Going Back to Her Roots
By: Boyd Davis
Photos by: Visko Hatfield
It would be hard to top last season's flirtations with the Playboy bunnies. So,
Betsey Johnson did not even try.
She decided to go back to her roots and forget any marketing gimmicks. She dressed up the
models like herself. And she succeeded!
Literally raiding her closet for ideas, the designer came up with a kookie collection that
was both fun and contemporary. Trust Betsey to come up with ideas like this.
As the crowned Queen of the American Youthquake generation, Betsey Johnson knows about
the hip, young fashions of the mid-1960s and early 1970s.
Drawing inspiration from these decades and updating the look for Gen Y, the collection was
fun, individualistic and very body conscious.
Starting with the micro-minis of the 1960s, Betsey Johnson updated it with a sheer panel
on the side keeping up with the transparent trend of this season. For the legs, the
gospel according to Betsey, fishnet is back! All the models wearing skirts or dresses wore
them.
For the hemline, although the designer presented a lot of mini-skirts, she also showed
body-hugging knit dresses that are just above the knee.
The 1960s influence also showed on the hot pants and sheer empire waist tops. Ruffles and
puff sleeves, big lapel jackets updated with big buttons also came from that decade. And
as expected, the collection showed all shades of pink.
Betsey has not lost her touch when it comes to the youth. Over 30 years in the business and
she can still feel the pulse of the youth market.
With these collection, Betsey might also be tapping in to the current club scene. For although
a lot of the clothes are wearable, a good number of them can easily be worn for a night out in
town.
And if you remember Betsey during the 1960s and 1970s heydays, her clothes are the "in" thing
to go to the clubs and dare I say, "disco>"
It was a very strong collection all in all, although the models could have lost the synthetic
flowers.
Whether it was part to build up the 1960s ambiance of the flower children or sold
separately from the clothes, I would advise to drop the flowers when wearing anything from the
collection. It looked good on the runway, but would be very distracting when worn for
everyday life.
The collection was created for the young and with a very fit physique. Anyone who is over
20 pounds overweight might find the clothes too constricting.
If you want to wear any of these
clothes for Fall, it's time to start on your diet and exercise plan today.
Betsey Johnson Fashion
Betsey Johnson Fashion
Betsey Johnson Fashion
Betsey Johnson Fashion
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