Betsey Johnson Crystal Cubic Zirconia Square Long Drop Earrings

Betsey Johnson, the renowned New York fashion designer, has built her long-standing career by following her own set of rules. Known for her celebration of the exuberant, the embellished, and the over the top, Betsey has been rocking the fashion industry with her unique and original designs since the 1960's. Her commitment to remain true to her one-of-a-kind vision has afforded her continued success in an industry known for its fickleness.

Born in Connecticut, Betsey's aspirations to be a dancer and her love for costumes laid the foundation for her creativity and inspiration, which is still evident in her designs today. In 1964, Betsey officially entered the New York fashion scene by winning Mademoiselle magazine's "Guest Editor Contest." One year later, she landed the top designer position for Paraphernalia, a clothing boutique that at the time housed the hottest young London designers.

What would soon become known as Betsey's trademark look began its formulations here: sexy silhouettes, hippie-inspired flowing fabrics, whimsical detailing, and, most importantly, a fabulous fit. Now firmly part of what was considered the "Youth Quake," Betsey soon found herself in the unforgettable 1960's Warhol scene, with Edie Sedgwick as her house model and the Velvet Underground's John Cale wearing her designs.

In 1969, Betsey began her foray into retail by opening a new boutique called Betsey Bunki Nini. In the early 1970's, she came into creative control of the label Alley Cat, a label which set the trends for 70's rock n' roll clothing, with bohemian and ethnic styles. In 1972, along with Halston, Betsey won the coveted Coty Award, becoming the youngest designer to ever receive the honor.

In 1978, Betsey decided to make a dramatic change in her life and formed a partnership with Chantal Bacon, starting the Betsey Johnson label as it is known today. Designing for herself allowed Betsey the creative freedom to execute her vision to its fullest potential. The same year, Betsey and Chantal launched their first retail store in the heart of Soho, and in the early 80's, they were one of the first to open a store on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles.

Today, there are over sixty-five Betsey Johnson stores worldwide, with international expansion in 1998 with the opening of the wildly popular London store, and the first Betsey Johnson store in Japan opening in 2006. Betsey Johnson clothing is also available in better department stores and specialty stores throughout the United States and numerous countries around the world.

Betsey Johnson has been honored with numerous accolades, including induction into the Fashion Walk of Fame, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Accessories Council, and the Designer of the Year Award at the annual Fashion Accessories Benefit Ball. As a survivor of breast cancer, Betsey continues to be a strong advocate in the fight against the disease, making public appearances, participating in fundraising events, and creating one-of-a-kind items to be auctioned off for charity.

Betsey Johnson, both the woman and the label, is constantly moving forward, keeping a strong foothold in the fashion industry with no signs of letting up anytime soon. Her love of detail and design, enthusiasm, creativity, and boundless talent have kept her at the forefront of fashion for the past 45 years and will continue to do so for years to come.

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