Betsey Johnson Womenswear S/S11

You never know what to expect from a Betsey Johnson show, except for that obligatory cartwheel, of course. But the acrobatic exercise wasn’t the only time Johnson featured in her show, though. A film, played as a backdrop to the catwalk, showed the designer cruising Manhattan on a bike, hanging out with staff from her SoHo shop. The bike presence was no coincidence; parts of the collection focused on the wardrobe of a bike courier. Yellow bike caps, tight exercise-friendly tops in elastic fabrics and bike chains were all part of the uniform.

Then Johnson changed direction but not in a specific one, mind you. The extensive show covered much ground, but playful humour always played a vital role. A distinct 50’s dolly rocker feeling persisted throughout the collection. Cocktail dresses, some in a check board or floral prints, frequented the show. Over sized jewellery, intricate lace details, a section of sailor inspired clothes and hats also helped create one of the more spectacular shows in New York so far. Colour wise Johnson focused on yellow. And orange. And blue. And red. And…