Posts Tagged ‘Betsey Johnson’

A hay-covered runway? Kelly Osbourne in a mustache? Only one designer could present a show that quirky: the one-and-only Betsey Johnson. No matter how eccentric the presentation (Moncler had models stand out in the cold) or odd the fashions (glow-in-the-dark heels at Rodarte), no one tops Betsey’s funky, free-spirited approach to design, which has earned her the label, “Fashion’s Wild Child.”

With her Fall 2010 runway show, Betsey proved she is more than worthy of the title. Betsey Johnson took the fashion industry on a tour of the Wild, Wild West with a gang of robbers, bandits, gamblers and saloon girls. Though the runway show could have easily been a live play, the fashions were more wearable than theatrical. The Western bad boys—gamblers and robbers—embraced the menswear trend (also seen at the Rebecca Taylor show) with top hats, tuxedo shirts, suspenders, camouflage dresses and lots of stripes. The fair ladies wore fur-lined frocks, corsets, ruffled dresses, printed hot pink jumpsuits and voluminous prairie skirts.

The make-up was just as adventurous and uninhibited. Backstage, the head makeup artist, Sarah Lucero for Stila, chatted with me about the inspiration for the show. “The inspiration is Brigitte Bardot, a French Western film [Las Petroleras, 1971] that Betsey was inspired by,” Lucero said. “It’s all about that smoky, blacked out eye. Lashes are very straight and exaggerated. It’s like a doll eye.”

To create the sexy 60’s look, “the skin was kept bare with a matte foundation using Stila one step makeup and a peachy pale lip.” To get those sexy, smoky eyes, “apply eye shadow in Chinois all over your lids as a base. Use Espresso on your lids and crease and Ebony to line your upper and lower lash lines.”  Finish the look with “black cream liquid liner and loads of mascara.”

The bad-ass sign directing editors to Sarah Lucero, head Stila makeup artist. How cool is that!

No Brigitte Bardot look is complete without sexy, voluminous hair. Sebastian Professional lead stylist, Thomas Dunkin, spoke with me about the direction for the hair. Also inspired by Brigitte Bardot, the look was “60’s cowgirl with pigtails and lots of volume.” To recreate the style, “spray Sebastian Professional Volupt Spray” for volume and texture. Blow dry hair and “set it with rollers,” for height and body. Channel your inner cowgirl by separating hair into “loose, messy pigtails.” The pigtails should be “sloppy and asymmetric. Nothing too perfect,” Dunkin added.

Models hanging out backstage.

While messy pigtails are the perfect hairstyle for the saloon girls, the models dressed as banditos wore a different “hair” look: fake mustaches. The leader of the pack was a newly svelte, Kelly Osbourne, who walked with puppy in hand wearing full robber garb complete with a bandana and a pistol. The spectacle did not end there. In a beautiful tribute to Alexander McQueen, a model walked the runway holding a “Long Live McQueen” sign. And since Betsey Johnson held her runway show on Valentine’s Day, the models spelled out “LOVE” in sequins on their backsides.

And to end the show with a bang, Betsey hit the runway at the finale wearing a mustache, a striped suit and a sequined heart on her behind. She even treated the audience, which included actress Melissa Joan Hart and Fefe Dobson, to her signature final cartwheel. Her acrobatics were followed by a line of models carrying giant hearts.

With the recession looming, and the fashion industry struggling to cope with the death of Alexander McQueen, we all  needed the fun, free spirit that Betsey captures at her show every season. Here’s to love, guns and cowgirls!

xo

Jessica

Runway Photos Courtesy of New York Magazine.

As good as you thought you looked last night in your hot LBD, you are no match for what Barbie has in store.

The Barbie Basics collection has just launched, featuring 12 sensational dolls with their very own little black dress silhouette. Within the collection lies a variety of hairstyles, facial features and skin tones, which will thrill Barbie fans of all backgrounds. Fashion mavens can customize their dolls to represent their own personal style with accessory packs, which include shoes, scarves and jewels. Ladies, now’s the time to get creative. Style a Barbie to mirror your fashion sense and change her look depending on your mood. From the savvy sophisticate to the glam goddess, Barbie can be it all. She just needs your help pulling her looks together and making sure her shoes stay on.

For the Barbie Basics collection, 12 fantastic CFDA designers created one-of-a-kind dolls with their personal design aesthetic in mind. Designers like Tory Burch, Betsey Johnson, Rachel Roy, Monica Botkier, Isaac Mizrahi and more were tapped to be a part of this exciting project. From January 28^th through February 7^th, these dolls will be auctioned off on eBay, with all proceeds benefiting CFDA education initiatives and scholarship program. The opening bid is $100, but Barbie fanatics out there know that the price will surely rise quickly for these collectibles.

Follow Barbie on Twitter at @BarbieStyle for updates. There is something to love about Barbie going back to the Basics, showing everyone just how fabulous a simple LBD can be.

For more information, visit BarbieBasics.

Dubai based stylist, philanthropist and designer Buffi Simone Jashanmal is adding a whole lot of truth to the idea that fashion is a universal language. Like most fashionistas, Buffi started at a young age and worked hard to make her mark in the fashion industry. It’s no secret that she’s doing just that and then some.

Having studied in the fashion capitals of London and New York City (London College of Fashion and Parsons) and working with labels of Armani Exchange, Andrea Lieberman and J. Crew, it’s apparent Buffi comprises a surplus of experience. Although Buffi has a mere three collections under her line Quiet Riot, she’s already gained a lot of attention in United Arab Emirates, Europe and the United States. Recently she made the Ahlan Top 100 List in Dubai and did New York City’s S/S 2010 shows. Her designs are edgy and flirtatious, comparable to that of legendary Betsey Johnson. And when she’s not busy creating, Buffi spends her free time knitting, raising money through her charity club, Knit ’n’ Knatter. Creativity is without a doubt part of her name.

“I am busy inside and outside of work, constantly being a creative machine!” exclaims Buffi. Similar to her designs, this lady knows how to make a statement and is definitely a force to keep an eye on in the arena of hot and fresh fashion designers.

Images courtesy Quiet Riot,  S/S 2010, New York Fashion Week.

- Justine Campbell

Stop the presses, Betsey Johnson is not retiring, just going in less days a week. According to her rep “Betsey’s not really retiring, her definition of retiring is coming into the office less than usual. Her statement was exaggerated…. No need to worry.” So for all you Betsey luvas, no need to fret, the queen of frills is here to stay!