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Johnson, Betsey

Betsey Johnson (b. 1942) was guest editor at Mademoiselle magazine in 1965 when she was given a design job at the new Paraphernalia boutique. There she was an important part of the “Youthquake” movement in fashion. In 1969 she, along with two friends, started their own boutique – Betsey, Bunky and Nini.

From there Johnson wore a variety of design hats: Alley Cat from 1970 to 1974, Butterick patterns from 1971 to the late 1970s, Tric-Trac by Betsey Johnson from 1974 to 1976, and Star Ferry by Betsey Johnson from 1975 to 1977. Finally, in 1978, she formed her own company, Betsey Johnson, Inc., which she operated until 2010, when Steve Madden Inc. took over her company after she defaulted on a loan. Johnson stayed on as creative director of the brand, but was furloughed in 2020.

One word that has always been used to describe the Betsey Johnson brand is “young.” Her clothes are fun and flirty, colorful and alive.

Written by fuzzylizzie

See vintage Betsey Johnson from VFG members on Etsy (paid link)

from the mid 1960s - Courtesy of bartondoll

from the mid 1960s

Courtesy of bartondoll

from an early 1970s dress - Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from an early 1970s dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from an early 1970s dress - Courtesy of atticville.com

from an early 1970s dress

Courtesy of atticville.com

from a 1970s dress and jacket - Courtesy of highly atomic

from a 1970s dress and jacket

Courtesy of highly atomic

from a 1970s skirt - Courtesy of listitcafe

from a 1970s skirt

Courtesy of listitcafe

from a 1980s Punk label - Courtesy of mags_rags

from a 1980s “Punk” label

Courtesy of MagsRags

from a 1980s Punk label - Courtesy of coutureallure.com

from a 1980s “Punk” label

Courtesy of coutureallure.com

from a 1980s dress - Courtesy of penelopewolf

from a 1980s dress

Courtesy of penelopewolf

from a late 1980s dress - Courtesy of daisyfairbanks

from a late 1980s dress

Courtesy of daisyfairbanks

from a 2000s dress - Courtesy of mags_rags

from a 2000s dress

Courtesy of MagsRags

from a mid 2000s dress - Courtesy of coutureallurevintage.com

from a mid 2000s dress

Courtesy of coutureallurevintage.com

from a 2000s reissued punk label sweater - Courtesy of elsewherevintage

from a 2000s “reissued” punk label sweater

Courtesy of elsewherevintage

from a 2000s reissued punk label dress - Courtesy of southwedge

from a 2000s “reissued” punk label dress

Courtesy of southwedge

from the mid 1960s

Courtesy of bartondoll

from an early 1970s dress

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from an early 1970s dress

Courtesy of atticville.com

from a 1970s dress and jacket

Courtesy of highly atomic

from a 1970s skirt

Courtesy of listitcafe

from a 1980s "Punk" label

Courtesy of mags_rags

from a 1980s "Punk" label

Courtesy of coutureallure.com

Hang tag from a 1980s crinoline

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1980s crinoline

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 1980s dress

Courtesy of penelopewolf

from a late 1980s dress

Courtesy of daisyfairbanks

from a 1990s velvet maxi dress

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a 2000s dress

Courtesy of mags_rags

from a mid 2000s dress

Courtesy of coutureallurevintage.com

from a 2000s "reissued" punk label sweater

Courtesy of elsewherevintage

from a 2000s "reissued" punk label dress

Courtesy of southwedge