I love Betsey Johnson and consider myself one of, Betsey’s girls. Betsey Johnson was one of the first American Fashion Designers that I connected with as I developed my style. She was a wild child to me who danced to her own drum and was a leader, not a follower when it came to fashion. She came into the fashion world with a roar.
With her mixture of colors, layers of jewelry, and funky hair color. Her style made her the talk of the fashion industry. If I remember correctly, she was the first designer who sold a lifestyle that included sheets, household items, and even kid’s stuff.
New York’s fashion style was edgy, colorful, mixing patterns and shoes, shoes, and more shoes.
When I think about Madison Avenue shopping in New York back in the day I think of Paraphernalia Boutique and Betsey Johnson. All the who’s who were considered the cool folks shopped there because it was all about Betsey Johnson. You haven’t seen a fashion show until you’ve seen one of Betsey Johnson’s. Colorful dresses and shoes with color out the yang. Black and white designs like you have never seen before. And let’s not forget about the cartwheel and split at the end of her fashion shows. You Go, Ms. Betsey Johnson!
New York’s Fashion Style
Growing up in Pittsburgh, PA we had a lot of folks who could dress their asses off, but it wasn’t a lot who went for that Funky Punk Rock style in the black community at that time. I had an aunt who lived in New York so every summer I would go and visit her. Those summers are where my exposure to Funky Punk Rock originated. Betsey Johnson was hot and New York’s fashion style was edgy, colorful, mixing patterns and shoes, shoes, and more shoes. Everyone who was anyone wore Betsey Johnson. I fell in line just like the rest of her fans.
Betsey Johnson’s shoes are such a hodgepodge of designs and colors. The shoe design goes like this, the top of the shoe will be one color/design, heel another color/design and if there is an ankle strap it is different than either of them. Her shoes are not just a pretty face they are always comfortable for me. An uneventful black dress that just needed a little something, something would send me to my shoe collections for a pair of Betsey Johnson. Most times the shoes would be the talk of the party with women asking, where did you get those or who is the designer. The response would depend on if I was home or in New York. Home, they are BJ, who is BJ? In New York, aren’t those BJ?
Some may think that Betsey Johnson’s shoes are trendy. Not hardly! They will live on forever and will be a conversation piece every time you wear them and cause women to turn and stare or give a second glance. You want to have one or two pairs in your collections because they are badass.
Are you a Betsey’s girl?
When I got the gist of this Influencer game, I thought oh hell no! I just found my second act in life. Hosting a blog will allow me to bring you all the goodies that I know about shoes. Giving you style tips, educating you on how to have an eye for shoes, and be a positive critic of the fashion trends.
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