Either Betsey is mellowing in her old age or we are, because we used to think most of her output was crazy, punk-inspired, debutante-on-acid stuff, but this collection is frilly and feminine and cute. Looking back on her past couple of years' worth of collections, we can see that she's been heading down this road for a while, so we tend to think we're the ones mellowing in our dotage.
Oh sure, it's all a little costumey, and it's really only appropriate for a small slice of the female population, but overall, it's a fun little collection. We can't really point to anything that we hate. We're not crazy about some of the over-crinolined skirts and you'll never find us complimenting a grown woman with a bow in her hair, but we like this one.
Oh sure, it's all a little costumey, and it's really only appropriate for a small slice of the female population, but overall, it's a fun little collection. We can't really point to anything that we hate. We're not crazy about some of the over-crinolined skirts and you'll never find us complimenting a grown woman with a bow in her hair, but we like this one.
Watch the Elle Magazine video of Betsey Johnson's Spring 2008 collection:
55 comments:
Oh shoot! Duplicate - sorry - I kind of like the collection, and I LOVE her Prom Queen shirt. I want one!!!
Most of these would be really cute prom dresses and I believe that is the market she is aiming for.
What about Betsey though? She is unrecognizable. Are her hair and arms sticking up like that because her skin has been stretched too far?
I think her clothes are so much fun. I wish I were young enough and rich enough to wear some if it.
I love Betsey Johnson, she's so fun and free. I own many of her dresses.
I wish i could afford stuff like that :( ... I like everything. I LOVE Betsey Johnson, she is one of my favorite designers.
I love, love, LOVE these (except for the red, white & blue thing that looks like a lamp).
I used to wear Betsey Johnson a lot when I was younger, and every time I walk past one of her shops I kick myself because I don't feel I can anymore. (Even though Betsey is older than me and SHE is still wearing her clothes).
I can deal with the new need for reading glasses, and the occasional grey hair popping up, but being too old for Betsey Johnson is tough to get used too.
--Gotham Tomato
I really like this collection. It's cute, feminine, fun and funky all at the same time.
I must disagree with the crowd here. The only one I remotely like is the white dress with the red sash. The rest of it looks like an unholy cross between Japanese Lolita style, Circus style, and Crackwhore style. I appreciate the creativity, but I think that the product is kind of horrific.
I love that she had models wearing glasses on the runway. It took me a while to appreciate her work. Her style is unique and distinctive.
It reminds me of a cross between Barbies from the 50's to 80's, and cupcakes.
I mean, prescription, nerdy-like glasses.
I think it's a fabulous collection. It would be boring if everyone wore Carolina Herrera all the time.
"Anonymous said...
It reminds me of a cross between Barbies from the 50's to 80's, and cupcakes"
maybe thats why i like the collection so much :) at least betsey is fun & does what is in her heart. love her attitude!
i have mixed feelings about jeffrey, as a person and a designer. but aren't those polka-dot confections reminiscent of some of the pieces from his final collection? and as many were with that collection, a lot of people are surprised to see the softer, less funky-punky side of betsey. it's almost as if she's entered an "i feel pretty" and "i love being a girl" phase.
love her--an original to the end! :)
"It reminds me of a cross between Barbies from the 50's to 80's, and cupcakes."
Same here. I'm not a big fan of the predominant silhouette in this collection--teeny little top with over-crinolined skirt--but I can understand how it might appeal to a certain kind of young (very young) woman.
I do like the polka dots, though.
Holy Cow. I wore almost an exact copy of the red polka-dot tulle gown to my Junior Prom in '89. Except in pink.
Was the music by Cyndi Lauper?
Come to think of it, Betsey Johnson and Cyndi Lauper could be part of one of those "separated at birth?" columns.
I see this collection as being pretty in step with her aesthetic from waaay back. When I was in Jr. High and high school, (dare I say it?) 20 years ago, I used to go this store in Minneapolis called Hollywood High and try on her dresses. I could not afford a single one, but I loved them. These look pretty much like a continuation of those dresses--kinda still punky in a mid-80s Madonna/Cyndi Lauper kind of way, but also way-over-the-top feminine. Ah, nostalgia.
Alexis
pleasepleaseplease don't let the little socks in high heels come back! That's right up there with the polo shirt collar flipped up!
Marty the Wizard
LOVE it!! I wouldn't wear anything, but I still love it. It's Betsey Johnson!
Woman has a POINT OF VIEW! (yes, I'm shouting.)
I like it.
What a breath of fresh air this is! I love her!
Oh, my god, I love this site, how have I not found it earlier?
I love this, except for the yellow paisley halter. What's with the little nubbin of cloth between her legs? Penis envy?
I actually agree with you guys. Never been the biggest Westwood fan but I kinda like this collection.
However, at the same time, three words kept running through my head as I looked at them...
Giant Barbie Clothes
Sorry. Me no like Betsey at all.
I love Betsey Johnson!! She is a breath of fresh air. Possibly her aesthetics do speak to the thrift-store/make-your-own clothes under 25 set possibly more than to those who could actually afford her designs. But, for me it's nice to see someone who has their own aesthetics rather than merely producing designs that are minor tweaks on everyone else's.
^^^That said, can you imagine the looks and comments from the judges if any of this showed up on Project Runway? LMAO
"Sewhat? said...
^^^That said, can you imagine the looks and comments from the judges if any of this showed up on Project Runway? LMAO"
They did via Jeffrey Sebelia.
I always wanted a Betsy Johnson prom dress. And now I'm out of high school. Whatever, someday I'll have a Betsy Johnson dress and a reason to wear it.
Betsey Johnson creates fun clothes...which is why I love her.
I don't know, guys. It's still VERY BETSY to me. The crinolines, the polka dots, the ruffles and corsets. It's like Little Princess and prom queen on their way to a hooker convention.
Goofy, whimsical, adorable.
That's how I love my Betsy Johnson and that's what she exemplified this collection.
Emma P.
I found myself thinking that, with (sorry, Tim) leggings and without bobby sox, some of these pieces would be quite wearable in the real world. I do enjoy her. She is distinctive and consistent.
I kinda think it looks like a parade of acid tripping prom queens...
I like it!
I love the idea of Betsey Johnson; I have a friend who has a small collection of her own BJ dresses. But ..... I don't think so. They are costumey and much too "cute". So what small slice of the female population could wear these dresses and where?
The fashion world has always loved Betsey Johnson’s whimsical personality and outrageous designs. I think she's fabulous!
Oh my god…inspiration overload…that is a beautiful collection!
She's been designing since the 1960s. She's amazing. I love her shoes, I have several pairs. I get them on sale on Zappos or Smart Bargains.com.
i love this collection, but maybe it's just because i'm a sucker for a crinoline slip.
marisha
" patsijean said...
So what small slice of the female population could wear these dresses and where?"
Women who are not afraid to make a statement, have their own sense of style and love colorful clothes.
Are you kidding? Someone put some acid in your latte. This was crazy stuff.
A "little" costumey? I swear these look like they come right out of one of the catalogs that I buy the costumes for our dance performances!!
You boys were VERY kind!
Terrible.
adoooore her, looove the collection, right up my alley. thanks for posting this i just feel happier from watching that little video. and i've had a bad day :(
I have to agree with sewhat? about the Giant Barbie Clothes comment. And does it say something bad about me that I thought her shirt said 'Porn Queen' when I first saw it?
--rain brain
I love this stuff. If I had the money, I would buy these dresses and manufacture an excuse to wear them. I own one Betsey Johnson dress and have already worn it to three different events.
Love love this collection. It's girly, feminine, retro, and I love her Prom Queen shirt.
I wore a Betsey Johnson for my wedding reception! (Party was delayed due to 9/11, so breaking out the wedding dress again didn't seem appropriate.) I love her. We should all have such insouciance.
Now don't get me wrong. I lke Betsey. I even like this collection. But I can't help thinking that the models all look like escapees from Pretty Pretty Princess Island.
Betsey is the first place I would go if I intended to be the Sugarplum Fairy for Halloween.
i think of Jem when i see these clothes.
I love it, love it, love it. Very fun. :)
I see a dress very reminiscent of Maria's from West Side Story...and it just makes me love it 100x more.
I love it, love it, love it. Very fun. :)
I see a dress very reminiscent of Maria's from West Side Story...and it just makes me love it 100x more.
Pretty and girlie. Love it.
"Bia said...
"Sewhat? said...
^^^That said, can you imagine the looks and comments from the judges if any of this showed up on Project Runway? LMAO"
They did via Jeffrey Sebelia."
Ugh. Please.
That twit was nothing but a second-rate imitation of whoever he was imitating in any given week. And you cannot create the kind of whimsical clothes for women (like Betsey Johnson does) when you are a mysogynist pig (like Jeffrey).
--Gotham Tomato
UGH, sorry, I don't like the collection. I have to agree with those that said Giant Barbie Clothes...cuz that's what they look like.
Yes, the designs are fun but seriously...where can you wear them? Admit it, not too many places.
Marty..the trend is coming again! I kid you not. Last year it was Pat Benetar and next year its going to be flipped up polo collars (with the front points flipped down of course..LOL). The only thing missing are bandanas--or did those come out with skinny jeans and oversized t-shirts?
And to think that I gave all my high school clothes away! If I had only known....LMAO.
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