Betsey Johnson Puts Her Store Employees, Not Just Models, on the Runway for NYFW Fall 2011

Pictured: Two sides of Betsey Johnson at NYFW: the Black Tag line  on left, and the Pink Patch line on right, plus Betsey’s new Steve Madden Lizzzy-L booties (photo courtesy of Steve Madden.)

Betsey Johnson’s eccentric style was in full force today at New York Fashion Week with her playful and sometimes over the top runway show. Think 1920s silent star Louise Brooks on acid, and that’s a bit how Betsey Johnson’s models looked in either their black or blonde blunt, bob styled wigs.  The styles ran the gamut from whimsical prints and flowery hippy chick dresses to loud animal prints, and poppy fabric flowers worn on one shoulder.  Betsey showed two lines today at NYFW, a higher priced line called her “Black Tag” line (worn by the models in the black wigs) and her new lower priced recessionsta style “Pink Patch ” line (worn by the models in the blonde wigs.)  I’m not sure about the looks from the “Black Tag” line.  These are for a woman who has a strong sense of individuality and who wants to be noticed.  You won’t get lost in the crowd in Betsey’s “Black Tag” Purple Rain type lacy leggings and tutu like skirts.  Of course, there were still plenty of the designer’s  Boho chic dresses in floral prints which are her trademark.  They look as great today as they did on Stevie Nicks back in the day.

Pictured: My favorite piece from Betsey Johnson’s Black Tag line at NYFW (photo: M. Hall)

But my favorite thing about Betsey’s show today was how she showed her new “Pink Patch” collection. Midway through the show, the Pink Patch models came out in blond wings.  The whole tone of the show changed. They were not professional models, clearly, as they were not 5’8 and reed thin.  There were women of every shape and size, and every ethnicity looking beautiful on the runway and looking like they were having fun. Now that’s something you don’t often see at New York Fashion Week.

Pictured: One of Betsey Johnson’s employees models a Pink Patch Ensemble. (photo credit: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz)

 Rarer than a Loch Ness Monster sighting is a collection of smiling, curvy models on the runway at New York Fashion Week. But there they were, the Pink Patch models made up of  employees from Betsey Johnson’s stores and showroom in all shapes and sizes. Bravo Betsey!  I thought it was great to see how the clothes drape and move on women with curves and even a pregnant woman. The designer’s show notes called Pink Patch “affordable, accessible and true-blue Betsey.”  I agree, I liked Pink Patch line better than Black Tag line  and not just because it is priced under $100.00.  I liked the vivid colors, the bright flowers and cute dresses.  The models were also wearing the new Steve Madden/Betsey Johnson Lizzie L-Booties (priced at approximately $250.00 US)  in prints and solids that matched their garments.  I also liked the bright Pink Patch tote bags in bright Betsey florals.

Pictured: Betsey Johnson’s unique Valentine from her Facebook page.

 Betsey to use your own show Valentines’ tag line, “I F’ing Love You”  for putting real women on the runway in affordable fashion. I may not be bold enough to wear all those colors and styles, but I think it is great and yes, innovative, that you let consumers and buyers see how the clothes might look on the average women. Seeing those women on the runway made me almost want to do a Betsey cartwheel! 🙂