Sunday, August 5, 2012

Memory Lane!

Here's a blog post from when I first started sewing and designing I thought I should share. I'll be updating more soon, so sit tight and enjoy this little wide-eyed gem! :)

Friday, January 18, 2008

At this very moment in time, I should be in the shower and getting ready for work, but I feel the need to comment on someone I've adored for quite some time.

Betsey Johnson is a designer I have respected and admired since I can remember. A very long time ago, I was watching tv and I discovered her on one of the programs talking about interior design (though I can't remember exactly, it sounds about right).

I remember so vividly the beginning of the program and how she was sitting in a large yellow room with high vaulted ceilings. There were lights all around the room that made the yellow seem like it faded into a darker, marigold-type color. She was in the middle of a fabulous couch, which I think was Victorian-style and kind of a fuschia color that was trimmed in gold, but it was so elegant and plush. They were talking about the space, how it was open and somewhat simple yet whimsical. Ms. Johnson told the interviewer to look up because that was her favorite part of the entire room.

Picture a large, curvy, almost kidney bean-shaped platform that had been painted the same color of the couch but it had roses attached to the bottom. It didn't look tacky at all. It looked perfect and wonderful. I've always wanted to do that in my house ever since I saw that, but I'm not sure if I could execute it as tastefully as she did. It was lovely.

That room and her long, crazy, outrageous (in color and texture) hair took my heart away. After that conversation, they talked to her about her designs and I was floored completely. I remember walking into her stores anywhere I saw them and just being amazed at how fun and bright and flowy her designs were. They made me happy just to see them and touch them. I could imagine the little ladies who would wear her dresses feeling alive and flirtatious, but I did note that they would be paying a large price to feel that way. . . but that's beside the point.

Betsey Johnson inspires my own designs, my vision, and my mark I want to make on the fashion world. There are so many others I can also learn from, but this one in particular is one worth noting.

“Making clothes involves what I like…color, pattern, shape and movement…I like the everyday process…the people, the pressure, the surprise of seeing the work come alive walking and dancing around on strangers.  Like red lipstick on the mouth, my products  wake up and brighten and bring the wearer to life…drawing attention to her beauty and specialness…her moods and movements…her dreams and fantasies.” – Betsey JohnsonBravo, lady.