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Betsey Johnson

Legendary designer utilizes the youthquaker look from the ‘60s

By Stephanie Trembath, Life and
Style Editor

ot just anyone can pull off a
Ne skirt at noon; with her

adorable designs and ultra
feminine detailing, Betsey Johnson’s
iconic style of “taking a leotard and
adding a skirt” has hit the runway
with her latest collection of brilliant
colours and flirty floral prints for
spring. Her dramatic influence in
combining sweet and retro styles
allows for her dresses to be playful
and whimsical, with just enough edge
to keep modern appeal.

Betsey’s adventure in fashion
began when she became the in-house
designer for the Manhattan boutique
Paraphernalia in the 1960s and

involved in the youthquake fashion” sei

movement seen in Andy Warhol’s
underground. The youthquakers
were the: dominant youth of the ‘60s

fashion scene; spirited, reckless,

and colourful in washed denim

and leopard print. Betsey’s designs
embodied the cultural aspects of

the youthquake movement and she
became one of the leading designers
fashioning miniskirts, jumpsuits, and
embellished jewellery for poster girls
Edie Sedgwick and Twiggy. In 1969
Betsey opened up her own shop in

Her dramatic influence in combining sweet and retro styles pair of
allows for her dresses to be playful and whimsical, with just zebra
enough edge to keep modern appeal.

New York’s Upper East Side called
Betsey Bunki Nini, and soon inspired
the fashion label “Alley Cat” which
became an aspired-to look in rock and
roll scene.

Her experiences led Betsey to
create unique designs blending hipster
rock with girly glam, making Betsey

 

earn a spot in the Fashion Walk of
Fame. Today her latest pieces include
a feisty hot pink romper, delicate
teal and soft yellow tee, and full
skirted dresses reminiscent of 1960s
housewives in polka dots and juicy
lipstick. All of Betsey’s current pieces
echo themes of free spirited hipsters,
and elegant romance; just when you
think she’s gone too girly she’ll toss
ina

 

striped
heels
and
skull shaped ring.

Over the top, slightly obscure,
and completely ridiculous, Betsey
Johnson’s designs have inspired
fashion movements and designers for
decades; it’s no wonder she finishes
her runway shows with a cartwheel at
the end!

 

 

 

Portobello West: a platform for Vancouver’s talent

By Tanya Colledge, Staff
Reporter

or ten months of the year, from
December to March, locals
flock to the Rocky Mountaineer
Station in Vancouver for an afternoon
of beautiful one-of-a-kind garments,
eye-catching works of art and
inventive accessories —just to name
a few.

Portobello West is a market held
on the last Sunday of every month
from 12-6 p.m. and showcases the
amazing gifts of Vancouver’s local
artists and designers. The market
seeks to encourage artists to be
creative, giving them a venue at
which they can display their art and a
crowd eager to stumble upon the next
“it” thing.

Inspired by the hundreds
of artisan markets that line the
cobble-stoned streets of Europe, the
Portobello Market was established
in 2006 and has grown exponentially
ever since. Bringing together a unique
mix of talent, visitors are given a
chance to speak to the designers about

10

  
   

their products, hear stories about
inspires them and take home some
truly exceptional pieces of art.

From sustainable clothing to
jewelry, handbags to special designs
for your pooch, Portobello Market
is a great place to spend a Sunday
afternoon browsing or treating
yourself to a special gift. Bring the
whole family along for cultural
experience —admission is $2 for the
general public and children 12 years
and under get in free.

what

 

 

big smiles and comfy clothes despite the dreary weather we’ve been
having so far this summer. Both girls are finishing up their final year
in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program this fall.

De= College students Pamela Lindsay and Maggie Smolski wore