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Betsey Johnson is a very decorated fashion designer and her garments reflect her personality- creative, feminine, hippie inspired and very whimsical.

Her signature is a cartwheel at the end of all of her fashion shows…enough said right?

After high school, Johnson studied at the Pratt Institute and then later graduated from Syracuse University where she was a member of the Alpha Xi Delta sorority. Betsey Johnson started her fashion career in the 1960’s as a winner for Mademoiselle (Influential Womens Magazine later acquired by Conde Nast Publications) Guest Editor contest. Less than a year later Betsey landed a gig as one of the top designers for Paraphernalia, which was a clothing boutique that showcased some of London’s up and coming young designers.

Betsey played her part in what is now called the “Youth Quake” (fashion, culture, and musical movement mostly in London) which was inspired by the movement of Andy Warhol. In 1969 Betsey opened her first boutique named Betsey Bunki Nini and was simultaneously offered a job at Alvin Dunskin in San Francisco, until later becoming the Creative Director at Alley Cat in 1971 less than two years later. In 1972, along with Halston, Betsey won the coveted Coty Award becoming the youngest designer to ever receive the honor.

Betsey grew tired of working for others and finally decided to launch her own signature line she formed a partnership with Chantal Bacon and started the Betsey Johnson label, as it is known today and in 1978 launched a Soho boutique selling the ethnic, rock & roll, hippie inspired clothing. Later own Betsey launched another retail location on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles one of the top shopping spots and home to many top designer retailers. Following was the opening of many more Betsey Johnson stores in Vancouver, Toronto, Tokyo and now over 50 stores worldwide, plus the signature label is available in specialty stores throughout the country.

Awards:

• 2002 induction into the Fashion Walk of Fame
• A bronze and granite plaque containing an original sketch, signature and biography was embedded into Seventh Avenue sidewalk in early 2003
• Signature Awards and NAWBO-NYC committee honored Betsey with the 2005 Lifetime Achievement Award
• Lifetime Achievement Award from the Accessories Council in November 2005
• Betsey Johnson was recently honored with the Designer of the Year Award at the annual American Apparel and Footwear Association?s Image Awards in May 2006
• In 1972 she won the Coty Award

Quick Facts:

• Betsey owns a refurbished hotel that she dubbed Betseyville in Mexico that she rents out to interested people. It can accommodate 8-10 visitors
• Betsey also has constructed custom pieces for celebrities including: Courtney Love, Minnie Driver, Paris Hilton, and many more

For more information on Betsey Johnson visit the online store and website Betsey Johnson.

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