Betsey Johnson at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

[ 11 September 2008 ]

Betsey Johnson

“Making clothes involves what I like… Colour, pattern, shape & movement… I like the everyday process… The people, the pressure, the surprise of seeing the work come alive walking & dancing around on strangers. Like red lipstick on the mouth, my products wake up & brighten & bring the wearer to life… Drawing attention to her beauty & specialness… Her moods & movements… Her dreams & fantasies.” — Betsey Johnson

The Betsey Johnson show on the 9th of September was every girl’s dream. It was so theatrical & over-the-top — totally brilliant. I kept turning to my friend Yuli & making gaping, flabbergasted faces!

A fashion veteran at 66 years old, Betsey is well-known for her extravagant shows, for her wicked design aesthetic & for cartwheeling down the catwalk! With 45 boutiques across the world, Betsey shows no sign of slowing down, & in fact, her creations seem to be getting even more fabulous.

I adored my very first Betsey Johnson show, & hope to attend many more in the future!

Betsey Johnson
Yuli & I in the front row.

Betsey Johnson
Celebrity seating: Kelly Osbourne was at one of these tables.
Note the ‘B’ cupcakes & little golden books.

Betsey wore green throughout the show. She came out in a gingham, off-the-shoulder frock. She was holding her newest granddaughter, Ella, & holding the hand of other granddaughter Layla, as she handed out balloons.

Betsey Johnson

Betsey Johnson

The show had an amazing atmosphere & energy. The music was loud & fabulous, with bass that vibrated throughout the entire tent & up through the seats. The models wore bobbed wigs of blue, pink, black & purple, & walked with sass & attitude. They skipped & twirled & blew kisses at the cameras.

So, how was the collection? It ran an incredible gamut, veering from Little House On The Prairie gone awry to a procession of virginal brides in white with their hands chained behind their backs.

Every outfit was accessorised with a small bowler hat. As one tends to expect from Betsey, there were plenty of ruffles & prints. Polka-dots, pinstripes & a skull & crossbones motif all made their presence felt. There were also plenty of hoop skirts, what looked like floral hospital gowns, ruffled bloomers, striped stockings, colourful fingerless gloves, pinstriped rompers in pastel hues, tattered ribbon skirts in candy colours & tropicana sun-dresses.

Betsey Johnson
Photos courtesy of Style.com.

The stand-out looks for me were a Victorian hospital chic outfit complete with lace-up bloomers & corset, all in white, & an incredible strapless tie-dyed ruffled maxi-dress.

Betsey Johnson
Photo courtesy of Style.com.

Pirate chic was big, & introduced by a staggering Jack Sparrow-esque character, who leered at the girls as they strutted past & laughed to himself.

You can see plenty of fabulous runway shots here at Style.com!

Betsey closed the show by running out in a huge, sparkly dress in emerald green — very Wizard of Oz — & cartwheeling down the runway before taking theatrical bows. She was followed by a parade of models, all holding vibrantly-coloured helium balloons. They danced & sashayed down the runway & back, to huge applause.

I took some video, too. Unfortunately, the lights were so insanely bright that it made filming difficult, but it does give you an idea of the music, the energy & the atmosphere! Watch until the end — the balloons are amazing!


Love letters & feather headdresses,

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Comment

  1. HA! I thought of you as soon as I saw that tie-dyed ruffled dress! I knew you’d love it!

    <3 spygrl1 · Sep 11, 12:49 PM · #

  2. Ah, loving the last pic – it gives me ideas for next friday.

    I’m sure that it wouldn’t have escapd all of your notice that it’s international speak like a pirate day next next friday and I’m having a charity dress up day at my college to celebrate.

    Any ideas for a killer outfit?

    Stripey socks are on the agenda already.

    ^^

    <3 Tomi · Sep 11, 01:08 PM · #

  3. I hope I have at least a fraction of Betsey’s coolness when I’m 66

    <3 bree · Sep 11, 01:13 PM · #

  4. um…SQUEAL! you lucky, lucky lady! what a grand looking experience.

    adoration x

    www.studentcharade.blogspot.co…

    <3 Voila Megan · Sep 11, 01:13 PM · #

  5. Betsey’s hair is exceptionally cool.

    <3 Katie · Sep 11, 01:14 PM · #

  6. Cartwheels? At 66?! I’m astonished. I’m 22 and I can’t cartwheel!

    Are we having TiLT today? Or have I got the wrong day. It happens….

    <3 Joanne · Sep 11, 01:19 PM · #

  7. Aww the baloons <3 I think Betsey’s so cool. I love the fact that she’s 66 & she is so awesome & positive. Betsey’s is the kind of person that every girl would like to be at that age.

    xo

    <3 Lucy · Sep 11, 02:12 PM · #

  8. I am SO jealous! She’s my FAVORITE! Today I’m wearing my fav Betsy Johnson earrings and last night I rocked my all-time fav BJ belt at a party. She’s my girl!

    <3 Rachel · Sep 11, 02:39 PM · #

  9. Fantastic!
    Did you see the models wearing Wedding-esque gowns with their hands handcuffed behind them!!??

    <3 Matea · Sep 11, 02:55 PM · #

  10. Oh, that’s so fantastic! I love her stuff so much!

    <3 victoria · Sep 11, 03:17 PM · #

  11. This looks way more like a giant party sashaying through a crowd of people than a fashion show, I lurve it! Betsey Johnson has such a larger than life vibe about her. You’re a very lucky lady Gala.

    <3 Valentina · Sep 11, 03:29 PM · #

  12. Shame on me, I’d never hear about this woman! Her style is amazing, I enjoyed the runway pictures so much! Thanks a lot for the post Gala girl :D

    Btw, what about the big over-the-knee socks trend? I love it, but I’m not sure if I can do it right (ya know, lack of physical activity has great costs!). It would be so awesome if you could check it out here :)

    <3 fran · Sep 11, 03:31 PM · #

  13. Such a lucky girl you are!!

    My fave looks-

    www.style.com/slideshows/fashi…

    www.style.com/slideshows/fashi…

    www.style.com/slideshows/fashi… (ultimate fave)

    www.style.com/slideshows/fashi…

    And the dress you posted is also wonderful!

    As a whole i think the collection is pretty old school BJ with the mix/mash of florals and different dress lengths.. also can’t complain about the short length of some of the tops that are definitely coming back (in part most likely to all the high waisted skirts/pants that i also love!)

    Rawwk :O)

    <3 Sammy · Sep 11, 03:52 PM · #

  14. SQUEAL! Betsey is my favorite from this year’s NYFW!

    <3 Juls · Sep 11, 03:57 PM · #

  15. fuck YES!!!!

    <3 Natalie · Sep 11, 04:42 PM · #

  16. I love it, I saw Betsey on 7th ave a couple of months ago. I feel like a nerd being excited about this, but…she made eye contact with me!

    <3 Ipsum · Sep 11, 05:15 PM · #

  17. I can’t get over the fact her granddaughters are named Ella and Layla! How adorable!

    <3 A · Sep 11, 07:16 PM · #

  18. Thank you for letting us live vicariously through you.

    <3 Marisol · Sep 11, 09:39 PM · #

  19. oh, betsey!

    <3 nico · Sep 12, 01:10 AM · #

  20. Oh thank you for the video, the ending is just happy fabulous!! Didn’t it make you want to join her on the runway for happy dances? I could hardly stop jumping up and down heh ;) I love love love the detail of the little bow-tie around every models neck and especially because i noticed it comes in soo many colours!
    My 2 favourites are
    www.style.com/slideshows/fashi…
    www.style.com/slideshows/fashi… (love the shoes too)

    <3 Amika · Sep 12, 03:04 AM · #

  21. I think I saw you today on FTV! They had a “Front Row at Betsey Johnson” segment, and I spotted your hair =D

    <3 emma · Oct 13, 03:08 AM · #

  22. Betsey Johnson is one of my FAV designer and this may sound corny but one goals is to attend a Betsey Johnson show and i was wondering if there are tickets that i buy or something. thanks

    <3 bree · Dec 14, 06:31 AM · #