Johnson

Betsey (1942). American designer of clothing for disco music. Born in Connecticut, she studied at Pratt Institute of Brooklyn and in 1964 she graduated with the best grades from Syracuse University. Her creativity earned her a collaboration as guest editor with the magazine Mademoiselle, where she was contacted by Paul Young, in search of new talent to launch his boutique chain Paraphernalia. In 1969 she opened her own showroom in the Upper East Side in Manhattan. She called it Betsey Bunki and Nini. During the 1970s-80s she collaborated with various American ready-to-wear brand, including Alley Cat. It was through these experiences that she developed an eccentric, young, humorous, and sexy style, mixing vinyl and sequins. It was essentially a disco fashion, influenced, according to Johnson herself, by her dancing studies. In 1979 she finally made her debut with her own label.
&Quad;After the launch of the Betsey Johnson Label, the designer opened a series of stores in the USA, including one in New York in Soho. Anticipating the trend that would transform the street in the core of shopping, a store was opened in Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles. In 1998 a store was opened in London. The following year, another store opened in Vancouver, Canada.
&Quad;2002. On the occasion of her 60th birthday, the designer presented the models of her Spring Collections in her house in East Hampton.
&Quad;2003. The designer joined the Fashion Walk of Fame in New York. She was honored for her contribution to American fashion. An original sketch of hers and a short biography are placed in the pavement of Seventh Avenue, covered by a bronze and granite plate with her name.
&Quad;2003. There are more than 40 stores in the world and more than 1,000 specialty stores in the USA and in Europe.