A Birthday Party for Betsey Johnson

You know you're going to see a great show, and have a good time, if you're fortunate enough to attend a Betsey Johnson Runway Show. She's known for her cheerful, bright and sometimes a bit over-the-top fashions, and for her "cafe" seating for VIPs in the front row, and of course, her famous cartwheel(s) that always brings her cheers from the audience. This is Betsey Johnson's 30th anniversary in the biz, so the party atmosphere began backstage, with a DJ, tons of food, and pink plates for the nibbles.

But I was backstage to check out Redken's stylist, Italo Gregoria. When I arrived, he was already hard at work on a model, crimping her hair into a style that was youthful and fun, and also channeled the designer herself. To make this "big crimped hair" he used REDKEN Guts #10 Volume Spray Foam, and then a large crimping iron. To keep the hair, airy and volumized, Italo sprayed a lot of REDKEN #23 Flexible Hold...the strongest hairspray Redken makes.

The makeup, by Make Up For Ever, was created by Fulvia Farolfi. Two major products were used: Aqua Eyes Waterproof Pencil in Black, and Aqua Lips waterproof lip stain in "8C' red. the cheeks were pink, with sculpting Blush #6. Face was matte (matte velvet plus foundation) with a sprinkling of Diamond Dust #307, a silvery glittery shimmer. Nails were coated with a bright blue metallic polish

It was absolute mayhem backstage, with so many photographers and other press trying to get interviews, the din was nearly deafening. But Betsey Johnson was cool and seemed to be loving the fact that another fashion season was beginning. Can you believe this woman is over 50? She looks so fabulous in person....an inspiration for every woman on the planet. She is the "cool girl" we all wish we we could be.


The show was set up in the Bryant Park Tent, the largest venue. VIP front row-ers got to sit at cafe tables, set with candy cigarettes, wine bottle candles, a rose in a vase, and votive candles. It was really dark --- but Tyra Banks and Nigel Barker are part of this table, way across the other side of the tent from me. At the entrance to the runway, there were two guys playing bongo drums for any Betsy's "Beat Chick" cafe!

The clothes were a mixture of 42 new ideas, and 18 oldies from Betsy's various decades of style. The sound track blared punk and rock and roll evocative of the various decades from 1978 to 2008. Photography was challenging at this show, but here's an idea of what one model looked like on the runway.

At the very end of the show, the models walked down the runway with bunches of ballons, Betsy did not one, but two of her famous cartwheels, and carried her grandchild all the way up and down the runway with her. The little girl seemed a bit bewildered by all the lights, cameras and action, but smiled when she saw all the brightly colored balloons. Ah, show biz!

copyright © 2008 all rights reserved by Alison Blackman Dunham of THE ADVICE SISTERS® The Advice Sisters is a registered United States trademark. All photos by Alison Blackman Dunham