Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week NYS/S2011
Feminine Meets Fun with Betsey Johnson – by Hope Wilkos, South Florida Blogger
Even though the curtain has gone down on Spring/Summer 2011 Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York, there are those special fashion shows that live on in our minds as large as life itself. Betsey Johnson is that unique New York designer who consistently puts on a superb theatrical presentation. Her widespread appeal began with the creation of her own clothing line in 1978 and has gained popularity ever since which has culminated in the opening of 45 stores worldwide.
As proof of her talent, Johnson was inducted into the Fashion Walk of Fame in 2002 and was the proud recipient of the Timeless Talent Award at the 1999 CFDA Award ceremonies.
This past September at Fashion Week, against the backdrop of a screen of silhouettes of city streets, the Betsey Johnson show opened with wide-eyed models in bright green eye shadow and provocative body suits with coordinating caps. From solid blacks and greens to wild designs, the look certainly seemed to sweep us back to past eras of the 50’s and 60’s.
The sailor theme took off on long haired beauties with the traditional white and blue outfits. This was followed up by the not so traditional red ruffled blouses sporting gold anchor insignias paired with gold biker shorts, gold shoes and white sailor caps. A navy blue and red skort outfit became patriotic with red, white and blue platforms resembling the American flag.
Nymph-like models sauntered down the runway in long black sheer lace gowns with suggestive hints of black undergarments peeking through.
Low cut feminine organza floor length dresses in flower prints were elegantly donned by tall lovely goddesses.
Strapless fire coral orange, sea blue and dusty pink and orange ballerina tutu dresses looked fabulous on the runway. You could almost imagine seeing this look on Carrie Bradshaw in a ‘Sex and the City’ episode.
One of the prettiest was a simple white knee- length strapless dress bound on the skirt by black bows.
The show would not have been complete without the fairy princess images complete with diamond crowns. Crinolines were back in style worn under the dresses helping to give fullness and a refined grace to the look. Colors were magnificent in pastel purples, limes and rainbow mixtures. A soft glittering full length petticoat skirt was paired with a matching tube top and diamond band headpiece. Even the diamond shoes were right out of a scene from the Wizard of Oz.
A common theme for each look was the large diamond choker necklace that each model wore with the words “Ride Me”. There is no doubt that the models definitely had fun with the clothes and the upbeat music. It was a show well worth attending. As is customary at the end of each of her showings, Betsey Johnson took her bow with a cartwheel.
There is no doubt about it, she is still going strong after all these years and we look forward to what she has in store for Fall/Winter 2011 Fashion Week in February 2011.
Video By Maxine Nolan
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