Betsey Johnson

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  Betsey Johnson The Long Crochet Pearl Necklace
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  Betsey Johnson The Be Mine Spinner Necklace
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  Betsey Johnson The Lightly Lined Molded Balconette
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  Betsey Johnson The Let's Polka Slip in Layla Rose
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  Betsey Johnson The Sm Flap Purse in Black Chain Reaction
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  Betsey Johnson The Linear Hem Pave Skull with Rhinestone Chain Earring
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  Betsey Johnson Rhinestone Skull with Bow Ring
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  Betsey Johnson The Clutch in Gold Lucky Stripes
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  Betsey Johnson The Slinky Knit Slip in Lite Bright Raven
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  Betsey Johnson The Barrel Tote in Black Blingin' Lips

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  Women Betsey Johnson Accessories
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  Women Betsey Johnson Dresses
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  Women Betsey Johnson Handbags
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  Women Betsey Johnson Jackets & Coats
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  Women Betsey Johnson Jumpsuits
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  Women Betsey Johnson Shoes
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  Women Betsey Johnson Skirts
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  Women Betsey Johnson Tops

Singer Rihanna looks beaming in Betsey Johnson's black Trapeze Dress.

The Betsey Johnson line started in 1978, as a result of the partnership between the famous eclectic designer and Chantal Bacon. After designing for a number of labels, designing for her own line gave Betsey the creative freedom which she maximized to its fullest potential.

As she puts it,  “Making clothes involves what I like…color, pattern, shape and movement…I like the everyday process…the people, the pressure, the surprise of seeing the work come alive walking and dancing around on strangers. Like red lipstick on the mouth, my products wake up and brighten and bring the wearer to life…drawing attention to her beauty and specialness…her moods and movements…her dreams and fantasies.”

True enough, her interesting and fabulous pieces – including Lolita dresses, girlish party frocks, fluffs, frills, leopard prints, captivating florals, vintage apparel, and eye-popping polka dots – gave her the opportunity to launch her first store in New York’s trendy Soho the same year.

Now, Betsey Johnson is famous for a number of things, including sweaters, vests, shrugs, wraps, jackets, coats, tees, tops, bottoms, baby dolls, slips, camis, bras, panties, pjs, robes, fragrances, watches, readers, sunglasses, legwear, shoes, hair accessories, hats, gloves, scarves, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, rings, pins, and handbags.

But before Betsey Johnson became the Betsey Johnson, she started her career in fashion in 1964, when she was handpicked by Madamoiselle Magazine as the winner of its “Guest editor contest”. A year later, she booked a designing job at Paraphernalia, which then housed London’s hottest designers Paco Rabanne and Mary Quant. Betsey Johnson’s trademark looks – flowing fabrics, sexy silhouettes, magical detailings and perfect fits – were perfected during her stay in Paraphernalia.

In 1969, Betsey opened Betsey Bunki Nini and was offered with opportunities to work with the houses of Alvin Duskin and Alley Cat, which then set the trend in 70’s bohemian and rock and roll fashion. For her efforts she was awarded the prestigious Coty Award in 1972, making her the youngest designer to win the coveted award. This confidence booster pushed her to open her own line six years later.

Besides giving birth to pioneering eclectic apparel, Betsey Johnson also became one of the first to open a store on Los Angeles’ famed Melrose Avenue. With this, Betsey helped give the avenue the worldwide acclaim of being “one of the best shopping districts in the 1980’s”. Post-Soho and Melrose Avenue, Betsey Johnson now has over fifty stores worldwide. The label’s international grasp became possible in 1998 as the label opened its London boutique. The following year, Betsey Johnson opened its doors in Vancouver, and in Toronto in September 2003.

Model and Trendsetter Kate Moss in Betsey Johnson's Sequin Strip Dress in Pewter.

Besides its Toronto opening, 2003 became a golden year for Betsey Johnson with the advent of licensing endeavors for the label. Betsey’s signature designs and whimsical ideas gave its patrons new merchandise such as lingerie and shoes. With this in the bag, Betsey decided to venture further by adding handbags, watches, jewelry, legwear, swimwear, fragrances, belts, cold weather accessories, and eyewear to the line – making Betsey Johnson not only a world-class fashion designer but also a well-loved American lifestyle label.

In fact, Betsey Johnson has quite a number of celebrity clients under her name, including grunge rocker Courtney Love, actress Heather Graham, OC star Mischa Barton, Legally Blonde’s Reese Witherspoon, singer Rihanna, actress Salma Hayek, actress Minnie Driver, actress Helena Bonham-Carter, musician Sarah McLachlan, model Kate Moss, popstar Britney Spears, model-turned-actress Cameron Diaz, Gossip Girl’s Blake Lively and The Hills star Lauren Conrad.

After all Betsey Johnson has done over the years, the fashion icon managed to infiltrate the east by opening a store in Japan in 2006. Now, Betsey Johnson clothing can be found in department stores across the nation and in select boutiques in Europe and Asia.

With her countless contributions to the world of fashion, Betsey Johnson was given the 1999 CFDA Timeless Talent Award, the 2002 induction to the Fashion walk of Fame, the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award from three reputable instutions: the Accessories Council, Signature Awards and the NAWBO-NYC. In 2007, she was named the Fashion Designer of the Year at the Fashion Accessories Benefit Ball.

Even after 40 years in the fashion business, Betsey Johnson continues to move forward by coming up with fantastic clothes and merchandise – there’s just no slowing Betsey down. Her design aesthetics, keen attention to detail, enthusiasm, creativity and vision continue to put Betsey at the top of her game.