Betsey’s Back at Opening Ceremony

By Kendra Gilbert on August 3rd, 2009

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It’s not like she ever left, but there is a Betsey Johnson revival going on.

While the eighties resurgence has worn out it’s welcome, when it comes to Betsey Johnson’s fashions from that decade they will never be unwelcome. Quite the opposite. To find one of her original designs from the decade of excess would be the vintage holy grail. But thanks to Opening Ceremony, they are reissuing some of her most popular designs so they will be easy to find and buy (if you can afford them). It takes all the hard work out of it and allows for instant gratification.

Betsey Johnson is truly one of the most independent-thinking designers there is, or has been. Never playing to convention, she opts for glitz, whit and whimsy. While I may not have the nostalgic connection to Betsey’s designs from the eighties that others have, I’ve certainly come to appreciate her clothing over the past few years. But, now I’m wishing I was in high school around 1985 so I could fully experience the Betsey craze.

Even if you can’t afford to purchase, I’d suggest at least heading down to Opening Ceremony and marveling at the clothes. To be that close to greatness is the next best thing to owning one of Betsey’s corseted tees or zipper dresses.