FASHION

Betsey Johnson Recognized for 50 Years of Creativity

Fashion week runway shows are always about the new - the latest trends, silhouettes and colors.

But at Art Hearts Fashion Week, a multi-day event being held at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, there was a nod to that wonderful designer Betsey Johnson, who still can come out on the catwalk and do cartwheels.

The fashion week organizers had a small installation of Betsey Johnson fashions in the lobby outside the main runway room. Six pieces showed the varied styles that the 73-year-old Johnson has been known for. Her designs are whimsical and fanciful, filled with bright colors and eye-popping prints.

Johnson didn't start her own label until 1978 but she was working on designs ever since she studied at the Pratt Institute and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Syracuse University. Recently she created the clothes worn by her old friend Edie Sedgwick for Edie's last movie "Ciao! Manhattan."