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NY Fashion Week – Behind the scenes with Betsey Johnson

By Lesley Kennedy
Photos by Joe Mahoney

Since the 1960s, Betsey Johnson has been rockin’ the fashion world. And her boundless energy and flirty styles have kept customers, celebs, fans and press coming back season after season to watch her paint the runway pink.

Here’s an inside look at her spring 2010 collection: rock stars, models, glitter, candy, champagne, tutus and cartwheels. What could be better?

The setting: “One Night Stand” read the invitation, which pictured a keyhole and the words “Here’s the key to my room. Meet me at the Plaza.” More interested in hosting an event, rather than a standard runway show, Johnson held this year’s fete at the famous Plaza Hotel. The beautiful ballroom was swathed in the designer’s signature pink – individual bottles of pink champagne, pink petite fours and pink flowers graced the room, while Betsey employees donned matching tutus to help play host.

Backstage scene: If you were behind-the-scenes and heard a lot of “Woo!”s even above the music turned up to 11, that was just Johnson joyously celebrating her upcoming collection.

Pre-show, she skipped – practically ran – around the large open area in bare feet, a Cheshire grin on her pretty face, chatting up models, laughing with gusto, talking to the DJ (yes, there’s a DJ backstage at Betsey shows), even tossing flower petals in the air.

Backstage Photo Gallery

Oh, and this is all with a giant boom mike and TV crew frantically trying to keep up with and follow the 67-year-old dynamo.

While tulle, glitter and music from the White Stripes, Blondie and The Cars filled the room, so did Johnson’s non-stop energy. We especially appreciated the hand-drawn posters she had made that hung around the room: “Thanks to all my hot models!” “Don’t worry, be happy!”

The hair: Redken artist Peter Gray told us Betsey hair is all about the fun.

“It’s meant to be silly,” he says. ”I love headpieces. It’s almost like a hair hat and every model is individual. All I’m after, really, is a post-Apoctolyptic craziness. I want texture. I want straight and curly together. I want volume and no volume together. Everything’s elongated so you get a long neck, and a taller girl.”

The makeup: Stila makeup artist Sarah Lucero says the cosmetic theme for the show is good girl gone bad.

“She met a guy from the East Village and she’s at the Plaza and had a one night stand,” she says. “And so the makeup’s pretty – like glossy skin and minimal foundation, but her eyes are messed up and there’s a little bit of red glitter, so it’s almost like a little bit of walk of shame thing going on. And the red glitter gives a splash of color, and almost a graffiti effect.”

The show: At one end of the room: a narrow stage on which a slew of models lined up, posing, dancing and trying to keep up with Johnson, who, at one point, leapt off the stage to turn a few of her infamous cartwheels.

At another end: three, three song sets by Norwegian singer Ida Maria, who performed her hit I Like You So Much Better When You’re Naked. Read our interview with her here.

The clothes: Johnson knows her customer and what she wants, and, so, the styles don’t really change from season to season. Everything is all about being girlie, being a rocker, being cute and having fun. Really, how could life not be more fun when lived wearing a flouncy tutu?

The goodie bag: And, while most designers nixed the must-coveted gift bag this season, the crowd clamored to collect a limited supply from Johnson during the party. Inside? A curious collection of items: Pop chips, pirate’s booty, a mini chocolate cake, a BJ thong, panty liners, Vitamin Water, a BJ key chain, a Stila eye shadow palette, a Sharpie pen, a book on shaping up your butt. A little wacky, a little off-kilter – but fun – just like Johnson.

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