Betsey Johnson
Born in Weathersfield, Connecticut in1942, Johnson spent a year at the Patt Institute in New York before graduating from Syracuse University in 1964. In that year, she was a guest editor in the summer college issue of Mademoiselle and was hired by the magazine for one year after graduating. She became a freelance designer during her spare time retailing at Paraphernalia, a New York boutique.
In the 1960′s Betsey Johnson gained a reputation as a radical young designer. In 1969, she opened a New York boutique called “Betsey, Bunky, and Nini”. In the 60′s, her radical designs consisted of chalk-striped trouser suits, clinging t-shirt dresses, and a wrapped cowhide mini dress that is worn with thigh high leather boots. In the 70′s, Johnson turned to disco wear and showed extravagant body-conscious clothes.
Johnson’s approach to clothing is influenced by her early days as a dancer. She enphasises on tight and stretch fabrics. She continued to have her own label with a variety of manufacturers, but it was not until the end of the 80′s that Johnson’s signature designs resonated with the birth of her self own company.
