Life in pink
Betsy johnson
Betsey Johnson was a celebrity back in the day.the times when today's fashion stars, as they say, were just penniless. Her career is considered one of the longest in the fashion industry. Imagine, Betsy received the Coty Award (the fashion world's equivalent of the Oscar) back in 1972. It's hard to believe that this spectacular blonde with provocative makeup and a dazzling smile has already celebrated her 65th birthday! By the way, her age does not prevent her from doing a cartwheel at the end of each show; Betsy started this extravagant custom back in her wild youth. As a child, Johnson studied choreography. She recalls that she was equally attracted to dancing and fluffy tutus with pink ballet shoes. The second passion turned out to be stronger. In 1964, she won the Mademoiselle magazine design competition, moved to New York and took up fashion professionally. At the same time, Betsy met Andy Warhol and found herself in the thick of the bohemian crowd. She dressed the members of the Velvet Underground (and was even married to one of its founders, John Cale, for several months). Twiggy and Veruschka walked the runway in her dresses. But the designer’s main muse was the legendary Edie Sedgwick, who became the “face” of her boutique, which opened in 1969 on the Upper East Side. It was in clothes from Johnson that Edie starred in her last film, Ciao, Manhattan! Outrageousness has always been Betsy’s signature move. In 1966, she caused a real stir by sending supermodel Penelope Tree to a reception with writer Truman Capote in an open dress consisting of four strips of fabric held together by thin straps. And today her outfits are worn by the most scandalous personalities - Courtney Love, Kate Moss, Paris Hilton. However, there are less odious characters among her admirers: Sienna Miller, Scarlett Johansson and Helena Bonham Carter. In the end, Johnson's clients have always had a choice - those who do not like revealing micro-shorts made of metallic fabric can choose a touching dress, generously decorated with lace and embroidery.
The name Johnson has long been strongly associated withgirly pink. No Betsey Johnson collection is complete without it, but oddly enough, it appeared in the designer’s New York residence not so long ago. In order for the interior to acquire its current appearance, the owner had to suffer a lot. Betsey always loved flea markets, antique shops and garage sales. She indiscriminately dragged the treasures she found there to her apartment, which was increasingly reminiscent of a junk shop every day. “I worked day and night, so I simply didn’t have time to seriously take care of the house,” says Johnson. One fine day, she discovered that her home had turned into a dump. She had to gather her will into a fist and start cleaning up. “I decided that with my lifestyle, a simple modern interior would suit me better,” the designer recalls. To begin with, she moved most of the old furniture to her home, Villa Betsey, in Mexico. Then she went on another antiques binge, buying several iconic mid-century designer pieces to take the vacant space. To top it all off, Betsy repainted the cheerful yellow walls of her apartment white: "Frankly, I did it without thinking about the consequences." However, after a couple of weeks, she felt like she was slowly going crazy: minimalism was completely at odds with her vibrant personality. Betsy was completely satisfied with the furniture, but the backdrop... The apartment clearly lacked life: "I constantly need emotional nourishment. That's why I love art, old photographs, and antiques so much." In the end, she picked up the brush again and repainted the walls - this time pink. "That's when the interior really came into its own!" the owner says, not hiding her satisfaction. Then she gave free rein to her unbridled femininity and filled the apartment with silk roses, crystal chandeliers and miles of antique lace. "Without the lace, there would have been a completely different atmosphere," says Betsy, pointing to the large windows overlooking the city. The result of Betsy's decorating efforts is paradoxical. On the one hand, there are frilly figurines, and on the other, there is furniture by great designers who extolled function and were ardent opponents of embellishment (Eero Saarinen may have turned over in his grave when Betsy reupholstered his Womb chair in crazy pink fabric!) But the owner of the apartment couldn't care less. In her interpretation, even the kitchen sink turns into a hybrid of a vanity and an altar. Because excessive decor is not a crime for Betsey Johnson, it’s a way of life.
R.S.If you like this interior, but you are not sure that you are ready to live in such a space day in and day out, do some reconnaissance in force. Betsey Johnson recently bought an old hotel in Mexico City and converted it into a boarding house for 8-10 guests. The interiors of this establishment are decorated in a similar vein.
