Betsey Johnson Mismatch Earrings

Betsey Johnson, the renowned New York fashion designer, has built her long-standing career by following her own unique set of rules. Known for her celebration of the exuberant, the embellished, and the over-the-top, Betsey has been rocking the fashion industry with her distinct and original designs since the 1960s. Her commitment to remaining true to her one-of-a-kind vision has afforded her continued success in an industry known for its fickleness.

Betsey's aspirations to be a dancer and her love for costumes laid the foundation for her creativity and inspiration, which is still evident in her designs today. In 1964, she officially entered the New York fashion scene by winning Mademoiselle magazine's "Guest Editor Contest." One year later, she landed the top designer position for Paraphernalia, a clothing boutique that housed the hottest young London designers, including Mary Quant and Paco Rabanne. Betsey's trademark look began its formulations here: sexy silhouettes, hippie-inspired flowing fabrics, whimsical detailing, and a fabulous fit.

In 1969, Betsey began her foray into retail by opening a new boutique called Betsey Bunki Nini. In the early 1970s, she came into creative control of the label Alley Cat, a label which set the trends for 70s rock 'n' roll clothing, with bohemian and ethnic styles. In 1972, along with Halston, Betsey won the coveted Coty Award, becoming the youngest designer to ever receive the honor.

In 1978, Betsey decided to make a dramatic change in her life and formed a partnership with Chantal Bacon, starting the Betsey Johnson label as it is known today. Designing for herself allowed Betsey the creative freedom to execute her vision to its fullest potential. The same year, Betsey and Chantal launched their first retail store in the heart of Soho.

Today, there are over sixty-five Betsey Johnson stores worldwide, with international expansion in 1998 with the opening of the wildly popular London store, and in 1999 with the opening of the Vancouver store, marking the company's first move into Canada. In September 2006, the first Betsey Johnson store opened in Japan.

Betsey Johnson's commitment to the fight against breast cancer is also noteworthy. As a survivor, she continues to be a strong advocate, making public appearances, participating in numerous fundraising events, and creating one-of-a-kind items that have been auctioned off to raise funds for many charities.

Betsey Johnson, both the woman and the label, is constantly moving forward and continues to keep a strong foothold in the fashion industry with no signs of letting up anytime soon. Her love of detail and design is evident in everything she does in life and in business, and her enthusiasm, creativity, and boundless talent have kept her at the forefront of fashion for the past 45 years.

product information: