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Random Questions For...Betsey Johnson

Betsey Johnson has been a regular on the fashion scene since 1965, when she began designing clothes for the groovy Paraphernalia boutique, where Edie Sedgwick was her house model and rockers like the Velvet Underground were regular clients (Johnson was married to musician John Cale at the time).

Johnson opened her own boutique, Betsey Bunki Nini, in 1969, and launched her namesake label in 1978 with business partner, Chantal Bacon.  Since then, Betsey Johnson has become synonymous with colorful, feminine, girls-just-wanna-have-fun clothing, and the line is as popular in 2008 as it was during the ‘70s and ‘80s, when every punk rock princess worth her bleach blonde faux hawk had at least one striped velvet Betsey Johnson dress in her closet.

Today, the indefatigable 66-year-old breast cancer survivor continues to expand her brand (she currently has 75 freestanding boutiques worldwide and is carried by more than 500 department and specialty stores across the globe), and she still does cartwheels at the end of every runway show.

The Fashion Informer’s Lauren David Peden caught up with the effervescent grandmother of two on the eve of her New York Fashion Week Spring 2009 show to dish on her childhood dreams, favorite movies and vegetable-induced crying jags.

So, Betsey…

What is your favorite time of day (and why)?

7:30 in the morning when I run downstairs to visit my two granddaughters. 

What's in current rotation on your iPod?

I don’t use an iPod.  I threw three of them out the window and don’t have one now.  It’s a shame.  Maybe in my next life I’ll use one. 



You consistently play some the best fashion show music I've ever heard; how do you choose which songs to include in a show?

We work with a great DJ, Rene Goulet, and it’s a fun collaboration that revolves around the theme of each show.  He leads the way and I throw some favorites and oldies in there.

When you were 9 years old, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A Rockette.

What's your favorite movie of all time?

“The Women” for the fashion, “Blade Runner” for the early futurist, “Easy Rider” because the girls wore my clothes in it.  Anything with Cary Grant and Brigitte Bardot.

What is your idea of a perfect meal?

Fresh fish.

You celebrated your 40th anniversary in the business last month (August); what one piece of advice would you impart to your younger self if you had the chance?

Always stick to your guns no matter what. 


Tell me about your pet(s).

Lucy’s like my little girlfriend.  She’s the friendliest, sweetest Maltese you’ll ever meet.

What's the best thing about being a grandma?

Seeing the grandkids every day.



What would you like to be doing if you weren't a designer?

A Rockette, an interior decorator or a florist.

Beverage of choice?

Champagne.



Brunch:  pro or con?


I never eat brunch.

If you found $15,000 cash in a brown paper bag, how would you spend it?

I’d give it to my favorite breast cancer charity, the NBCFF. 



What never fails to make you cry?

When I cut onions. 



When are you happiest?

When I’m with my lover, and when I’m with my family.

 

Calvin Klein Turns 40

No, not the designer, silly goose, the company!  Read our coverage of the stylish CK shindig, which took place last week on New York's High Line in a custom built John Pawson gallery space, over at Vogue.com.  

A Picture Being Worth a Thousand Words and All...

And, lastly, a shot I took on my way home from the shows late Wednesday night (the eve of 9/11), to help put all this fashion stuff in perspective. 

Photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden

Final Spring 2009 New York Fashion Week Reviews

Drumroll, please... Presenting my final Spring '09 Fashion Week Reports from VOGUE.COM for Staerk, Vera Wang, Julian Louie, Juan Carlos Obando, Calvin Klein, Zac Posen, Ralph Lauren and Donna Karan, along with a few photos.

Photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden

New York Spring 2009 Fashion Week Reviews III

Here, my VOGUE.COM New York Spring reviews of Halston, Thom Browne, Narcisco Rodriguez, Michael Kors, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Marchesa, Doo.Ri and Anna Sui.  Get 'em while they're hot!

Photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden

A Few More Fashion Week Shots

Here are a few random snaps from the Thakoon, Yeohlee, Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs, Derek Lam, Halston and Gemma Kahng shows.  Enjoy!

Photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden

New York Spring 2009 Fashion Week Reviews, Part Deux

I've been a bit crazed both attending and reporting on the shows, so sorry for the delay in getting these links up.  But here are my VOGUE.COM reports from Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday shows I attended, including Vena Cava, Catherine Holstein, Alexander Wang, Band of Outsiders/Boy, ThreeasFour, Lela Rose, DKNY, Costello Tagliapietra, Gap, Preen, Derek Lam, Diane von Furstenberg, Carolina Herrera, Y-3, Rodarte, Marc by Marc, Yeohlee, Thakoon, Proenza Schouler and, of course, Marc Jacobs.  And that's just for starters...

Photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden

First Fashion Week Reviews

I'll be posting more about Fashion Week happenings later, but for now, you can find my reviews of John Bartlett, Rachel Roy, Trovata, Sue Stemp, TSE, Yigal Azrouel, Duckie Brown, Jenni Kayne, Rag & Bone and Shipley & Halmos over at VOGUE.COM, with more reviews added each day.  

Thanks for reading, and I'd love to hear what you think of the various collections!

Photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden

Isabel Toledo's FIT Fete

The Fashion Informer is back from vaca and will hit the ground running with Fashion Week coverage starting tomorrow.  But today, let's take a moment to celebrate one of the most beloved designers in New York:  Isabel Toledo.  

A true iconoclast, Toledo has always marched to the beat of her own drummer, designing sculptural-yet-practical clothing since 1985 and eschewing the frenzied runway show scene since 1998 (the year of her last formal show).  

Much like Azzedine Alaia, Madeleine Vionnet and Clair McCardell - all of to whom she's been favorably compared - the Cuban born couturier revels in the craft and artistry of fashion design. Hence the Couture Council's Artistry of Fashion Award bestowed by the Museum at FIT, which was presented to Toledo Wednesday at a glittering luncheon at New York's Rainbow Room, emceed by Simon Doonan, in front of an audience that included designers Narciso Rodriguez, Philip Crangi, Lela Rose and Justin Giunta, retailers Julie Gilhart, Michael Fink and Linda Fargo, and editors from every major fashion mag.  

"She's a self-described perfectionist, purist and modern-day romantic," said presenter Andre Leon Talley from the podium.  "I always tell Ruben and Isabel, with no irony:  I want to be like you when I grow up."

You can read more of our coverage of the event at Vogue.co.uk.

Til tomorrow!

Photos © The Fashion Informer/Lauren David Peden