Betsey Johnson Spring 2009

This post is slacking as far as time is concerned. Busiest human this semester. But, it's ok. While I intern on Mondays Wednesdays and Thursdays, a hellish commute to the city from Marist, I sometimes get graced with the presence of Emily or Dave for lunch hours. Helps me get through the week while staying sane. This past Tuesday - however - I volunteered for the Betsey Johnson show in Bryant Park.

I've been trying to be assigned the Betsey shift since freshman year. And now, my time has finally come. Where can I even begin?

I walked into The Tent around 12 on Tuesday the 9th, to be hit in the face with bright blues, deep reds, clown prints, star prints, cafe tables. Every color-combo and design feature that you would not find at any other designer's show was right there spilling all over the Betsey Johnson runway. The backdrop was a collage of all different types of clowns complete with a pink neon lit Betsey Johnson signature sign.

Through red paned doors the models were lead to the runway, which looked like a pair of childhood pajamas, bright blue with bright, big yellow stars. The front row was not really the front row because in front of it were lined, red cafe tables with table cloths matching the runway. Four seats per table, and on each table were 2 cupcakes (B and J), 4 lollipops, Betsey-themed plates and napkins and blue gift bags galore. I was beyond excited.

And then there she was. As I was placing my last gift bag on a guest's chair, I turned around to find this itty bitty woman dressed in all black with killer heels and the blondest of blonde hair you ever did see. Betsey is just so lively. So full of emotions and expressions. She doesn't see herself as higher or better than anyone, as she was doing her part in the show just as everyone else was. She was up in the DJ booth prior to the show reviewing the music with the DJ, which ranged from crazy techno to songs from Sesame Street, as she dance and clapped and smiled to big with that bright red mouth of hers. It was basically a cracked-out childhood themed show. And I loved it.

As we continued to set up for what was to be an amazing show, in walks Kelly Osbourne. Looking good I might add. With the lead singer of Evanesence (which I would later find out). Also present were Run's kids, one of whom is def dating Lil Bow Wow (who ain't lying about being LIL). And then, the show began. Betsey opened by carrying out her 2 granddaughters and balloons to her daugher Lulu and the rest of the Johnson clan sitting at one of the cafe tables.

Then, bursting through the red doors came victorian silhouettes complete with hoopskirts, ruffles, pastels, paisley prints, top hats, layers, petti-coat looking with accentuated shoulders. The BJ Spring '09 look was starting to seem like a crazy twist on some very basic silhouettes. Not to mention the models purple, blue and pink wigs.

Then the show transitioned into all whites. See-through floor-length dresses, ruffles galore, itty-bitty sunglasses, causal silks and modern lace. It was rock star meets prarie virgin. It was awesome.

Then Betsey showed yet again how her show is not like any other. A man dressed as a pirate came out and messed with the models as well as threw out fake gold coins as the garments transitioned right from white to black. In between the fake pirate nearly tripping the models to death with the runway full of gold coins, there were silhouettes similar to the white section, but black, and feel was totally different, dark, mysterious, and fun. The garments slowly became more and more full of life as traditional and classic Betsey prints, flowers, and loudness came about and the music went from slow to very fast paced. There were dresses with her famous rose print, bright leggings, flowing dresses. Everything gave the feel of vibrancy and lightness.

The show's end was amazing. A showcase of 7 different Betsey Johnson-styled wedding gowns. The "brides" came down the runway with their hands handcuffed behind their backs as a wedding song played. So clever and artistic.
Then Betsey came out. Dressed in an serious Emerald tutu dress and doing her infamous, perfect cartwheel into a split. The show ended with the models dancing up and down the runway holding balloons of ducks, sheep, cows, etc. That's Betsey, love her!

Some runway shots:

Peep some pics taken by a fellow volunteer:

bow wow.