Betsey Johnson - 40 Years of Lolita Fashion

Fashion icon Betsey Johnson has been making Lolita-friendly, whimsical frocks for over 40 years.  Tuesday night at a Manhattan nightclub, there was a runway show/birthday party/concert in her honor.

I have to say it was one of my favorite fashion events that I have ever attended as my childhood pop icon, Cyndi Lauper opened the show performing Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and True Colors.  She was dressed on a Gothic/punk Lolita outfit of black tulle skirt, swiss dot bustier and studded leather jacket.

Next, the models danced down the runway in outfits that spanned from Betsey Johnson's 1960's looks all the way through current seasons of 2012.  Pink champagne, pink popcorn and pink cupcakes were served to guests who danced the night away until the sun came up!

Gothic Lolitas at Betsey Johnson Spring 2012

Betsey Johnson has always stood for girly flirtatiousness.  She had a darker, more rock n' roll edge for Spring with playful takes on skulls and skeletons.  A rib cage was embroidered for a trompe l'oeil effect on corset dresses, a rose adorned skeleton was used in jackets and dresses as well.  A fun skull print was used on a few separates.

Black lace, corsets and jagged embroidery were used to great effect in other Lolita-like outfits.  Flamboyant personalities like Johnny Weir, Beth Ditto and Nicki Minaj flanked the front row of this audience.

Betsey Johnson's Girly Goth Fall 2011

The clothes had a lot more color that Gothic fashionistas are used to. However, the edgy sensibility was there at the Fall 2011 Betsey Johnson fashion show in corset-styling, the jet black Louise Brooks hairstyles and blood red lipstick. Black lace trimmed dresses, shoes and neck chokers.  Draped hoods and skirts gave appropriate drama. 

It's hard to believe this once Studio54-partying designer is now a 68 year old grandmother...It is especially hard to believe when you see her still doing her signature cartwheel down the catwalk at the end of show.  Celebrity stylist Patricia Field of Sex and the City fame was dragged down the runway too...

More photos, larger photos at sister site MsFABulous...

Photos by Ritika Wahal