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Saturday, February 11, 2012

FASHION

Designer Download: Betsey Johnson

 

Every girl has a Betsey Johnson story. Whether she created your prom dress or you wish she did, the legendary New York-based designer is a favorite of women young and old. That's mostly due to her irreverent take on trends, from transforming the popular Breton stripe shirt into a jail-stripe romper to using calico floral prints in flirty cocktail dress silhouettes. She recently chatted with The Inside Source about her must-haves for summer, as well as her fall collection, some of which is already available in Betsey Johnson boutiques!

The Inside Source: Your fall collection made me think of Gunne Sax from the 1970s [a formal/semi-formal line featuring clothing with a "prairie revival" look featuring gingham, calico, empire waists and other elements popular in the 1920s]. Do you own a lot of it?

Betsey Johnson: You guessed it! Gunne Sax looks good again to me and I have four or five classic pieces. Did you get the Gunne Sax from the guns?

TIS: Heehee, no! It was the florals! What were some of your other inspirations for the collection?

BJ: An old western '70's movie that was very punk, kick ass, as well as very Victorian. It's called Las Petroleras, starring Brigitte Bardot and Claudia Cardinale. The look of the clothes, the look of the girls, turned out to be the show!  

TIS: You're a pretty avid vintage shopper, right? How has the market changed from when you first started collecting to now, when it's all just a click away?

BJ: Good stuff is really hard to find and when you find it, it's expensive! We're running out of it and dealers rarely sell, only rent.

TIS: That's interesting. So do you shop online at all, or on eBay? If so, what's your strategy?

BJ: I get my daughter, friends, and the kids at work to [shop online].  I'm computer illiterate!

TIS: It's warming up outside. What's your favorite look for summer 2010?

BJ: Bikinis on the beach. Comfortable, sloppy, careless, cool...with house slippers.
 


Five Fantastic Items Betsey Johnson is on the Hunt For....

Roll over items for details
New Pink Feather Eyelashes
"I want fabulous, out of the box, great, eyelashes," says Johnson. This hot pink feather version fits the bill.
(buy it now price, $6.28)
New Hazel Bishop Red Lipstick
The designer's still searching for "the perfect red lipstick." This true red tube—literally from the 1950s or '60s!—has never been used.
(current bid, $8)
New Chiffon Sarong
A "sexy beach wrap" is requisite as well. This grey and teal version doubles as a dress.
(starting bid, $4.99)
Edward Fields Rug Runner
"I need the right modern art for my new modern apartment," she says. This mid-century pop piece is the perfect addition.
(buy it now price, $750)
Designer Download: Betsey Johnson

**Images of Betsey Johnson and her Fall 2010 Collection provided by Betsey Johnson**

 

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