Ageless and Baring Tit

You think colorful to the point of madness, cute to total distraction, flouncy, bare, inappropriate at the suggestion of Betsey Johnson’s clothes. Adolescent fare, nothing more. Think again.

Yesterday’s show of her Fall line had more panache and wearability than much I’ve seen all week from far more conservative designers.

My table mate, the fabulous London Times reporter, Sarah Nir, (we won’t go into the age gap) and I were gasping with desire for the baby doll dresses; at knee length, they can be a grown up look after all, can’t they? Opening with two models in maid outfits reminiscent of Jennifer Aniston’s kinky bedroom getup in the film Friends with Money, the collection was represented by 59 looks paraded through crisp white curtains.

I for one was most pleased to see the return of navy blue, in satin evening looks as well as wool knit dresses and skirts—with wide brim hats, starched blouses and white anklets. Lacy dresses were tiered like wedding cakes. I guess I should have realized the theme for afternoon tea would be formal, lady-like, and oh so British when white gloves accompanied the invite. Seated ringside, New York Times photographer Bill Cunningham garnered a kiss from baby Layla who accompanied Johnson ageless--in blond hair extensions--grandmother down the runway, before she handed her over to mom and took her traditional cartwheel. Joan Jett was there in her signature punk leathers. Was she as entranced as we were?

Is baring tit decadent or defiant? When the first model at Douglas Hannant’s elegant and otherwise uneventful show at Gotham Hall emerged with her top exposed on one side, I thought it was a mistake, then the next model had the same mishap suggesting that playing peek-a-boo was part of the plan. Then it happened again at Jackie Rogers’s show at Scores West, “A Gentleman’s Club,” where you might expect such acts of audacity.

Think twice before you take on this trend. The trick is, you’ve got to be flat-chested and cheeky.

Regina Weinreich

Betsey Johnson, Fashion, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, New York Fashion Week, Fall 2007 Collections, Mao Mag, Fashion Designers

Comments

[karine belleville]

>To whom it may concern,
>
>
>
>I was recently invited to celebrity wedding (September 2006). His
>fans know him as Corneil. The wedding pictures were exclusively
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>
>
>
>Please contact me if this proposition is of interest to you in any
>way,
>
>
>
>Sincerely,
>
>From: A very close friend of the couple and an honourable guest.
>
>P.S I will be sending this message to other public relations…first
>comes first serve.
>
>
>
>Photos exclusives du mariage de Corneil,
>à qui de droit,
>nous avons des photos exculsives du mariage de CORNEIL qui n'ont
>jamais été publié auparavant et nous serions intéresser à vous les
>vendre....
>CC à autre magazine alors premier arriver premier servis.
>