Y2K fashion is no longer a trend, but rather a movement. In the past two years alone, some of the era’s most polarizing and beautiful designers have made stunning comebacks, from Ed Hardy to Von Dutch. And now, perhaps the most important designer for your inner child is back: Betsey Johnson—and she’s back with a vengeance.
This year marks the Connecticut-born designer’s 80th anniversary doing circles around the sun, and her signature brand is celebrated with a launch of a very Betsey collection that feels its growing relevance among a new generation of fashion fans. The designer’s slow-but-steady grand comeback follows the recent launch of Betsey Johnson’s beauty line, throwing OG Betsey fans into a time machine as if the designer never left.
In 2022, the list of notable It girls wearing vintage Betsey Johnson continues to grow: Addison Rae wore a 2013-era slip to the People’s Choice Awards in 2021, while Bella Hadid and Madison Beer have both been seen in it the same New. York inspired handbag. Vanessa Hudgens, Amelia Hamlin, and even Britney Spears are also on the list.
It’s clear that the designer’s edgy yet wholesome aesthetic has once again resonated with young people about Betsey’s vibrant spirit, even 44 years after founding her eponymous label in 1978. “I love that people are rediscover my brand. These are clothes that I love, live, breathe and totally wear on a daily basis, so it’s exciting to see how anyone at any age can wear the brand,” Johnson told NYLON.
The most notable of Johnson’s new wave followers is none other than NYLON cover star Olivia Rodrigo. Since hitting the scene with her single ‘Driver’s License’ in January 2021, the popular star has been rocking archival footage as well as new Betsey Johnson outfits every now and then. The pop-punk princess is currently a major influence in defining what’s hot and what’s not among her die-hard Gen-Z fans.
According to fashion resale platform Poshmark, searches for Betsey Johnson pieces increased 44% after Olivia Rodrigo wore custom Betsey Johnson x Jennifer Behr hair clips to the 2022 Met Gala compared to May 2021. She also wore archival BJ to Sour Prom premiere, on stage throughout Sour tour, in her “Brutal” music video, on the cover of crash magazine, and more. And her influence has quantifiable evidence: “The search for Betsey Johnson peaked in early July when the brand saw its most dramatic peak,” a spokesperson from Depop tells NYLON, coinciding with Rodrigo’s termination. Sour tournament on July 7. The marketplace app has also seen an 80% increase in Betsey Johnson searches from the end of 2021 through April.
While the 19-year-old pop star has graced many other archival designers, such as Vivienne Westwood, Chanel and Roberto Cavalli, Rodrigo’s constant rotation of vintage Betsey has left many fans of ’90s and early fashion of the 2000s wonder: a thrift-obsessed teenager like her counterparts born in the 2000s? Or has the Betsey Johnson brand planned its appeal to the new generation with the clever use of Rodrigo as a pawn?
“Olivia is a rebel, but there’s always a hint of glamor, which is the quintessential Betsey girl,” Johnson tells NYLON. “She’s definitely the poster child of the brand.”
of Sour The theme of the tour was eerily reminiscent of an early high school dance, as several separate concerts had a prom theme — an intricately designed stage of a junior high on prom night, corsages and all. And it’s safe to assume that aesthetic was intentional with Rodrigo’s millennial stylists Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo. Vintage Betsey Johnson dresses made up the singer’s best outfits, along with popular labels like Area and Alessandra Rich, mixed with popular internet brands like Lauren Perrin and Saint Sintra.
In the late 90s and early 2000s, just hearing the name Betsey Johnson brings a flood of memories and emotions. The designer’s pinnacle unfolded during the frightening times in the life of a young woman seeking individuality as she began to seek and express personal identity through clothing. Aspiring “It” girls of the time like Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez were wearing Betsey dresses all over the Disney Channel. After our childhood idols wore tulle layers and pleated skirts, we raved about the gorgeous brand. Johnson’s unwavering youthful flair and strong-girl spirit have been imprinted on impressionable teens for decades now and continue to this day.
For Betsey Johnson fans who grew up idolizing her stylish outfits and carefree attitude, seeing Rodrigo in what we once coveted only solidifies her status as a cool girl, not just to her peers. her, but also for the generation before her in a cerebral, psychoanalytical aspect. level. And now, millennials have the spending power to tap into their inner child and welcome Ms. Johnson back into their lives (and closets).
Currently, Johnson’s dresses are a touch more accessible in the form of backless slips and floral dresses – of course still extremely loud and colorful in true Betsey fashion. Its iconic designs can still be found on second-hand sites like Depop or Poshmark, but if you’re not looking to pay resale, the newly launched Birthday Collection refreshingly embodies the brand’s DNA.
“As I reflected on all my many years in this industry and the collections that come with it, I wanted to draw inspiration from my most favorite, classic Betsey Johnson styles, silhouettes and prints,” says Johnson. “This revived collection features my absolute favorite prints from my entire archive – the newly enlarged spider print, my tattoo print in collaboration with Marc Mahoney, and the red can, but reimagined for the modern Betsey woman.”
When asked who the new collection was intended for, OG fans or newcomers, the designer says “Betsey Johnson’s customer is from 15 to 50 at least – even up to 80 and beyond!” For Johnson, the landmark collection is a moment she’ll never forget, right up there with “hanging out with Edie Sedgwick and designing costumes for Andy Warhol movies” and “opening my 72 retail stores and being involved in the whole process from top to bottom.”
Johnson celebrated her milestone birthday and new collection last week, surrounded by die-hard fans, family, co-workers and even a new beau. “I went to the grocery store in a bright orange coat looking at grapes. This man said something very funny to me about the coat and we have been together ever since. it was like boom!“Johnson’s preparations for her date are delightful.
“I never give up on love. It was one of the biggest surprises of my life [at] almost 80 years old I would meet someone at the grocery store,” she adds. “I love him very much. It’s never too late, just keep living and try to be healthy.” Given that the legend is as bold, energetic and relevant as ever, her advice is worth taking to heart.
