For the Love of Betsy
Most collectors realize that dolls and high fashion go hand
in hand. Remember, before there was “Godey’s” or “Vogue” or “W” there were
dolls sent around to illustrate current fashions. These Pandoras often were the equivalent of
front page news to women keenly interested in viewing the latest fashion.
I could wax poetic on the history of antique fashion dolls,
French and otherwise, but we don’t have enough space in this post to cover all
of them.
When, however, a designer melds her ideas with doll making,
I have to comment. Especially when that
designer is one of my all time favorites, Betsy Johnson.
Betsey Johnson is a native of Connecticut
Johnson has been a successful and influential designer for
over 40 years. In 1964, she won a guest
editor prize for “Mademoiselle”, which helped to launch her career. She
attended Syracuse
University
Her love of the whimsical and of costumes influence her
work. Many of her designs incorporate
charms, dolls, and miniatures. I have
jointed skeleton and flapper-type dolls made into necklaces that she has
designed including some black cats and teddy bears that are jointed. Her themed necklaces are works of art for
those who love miniatures. My Day of the
Dead set includes earrings, a ring, bracelet, and necklace of the famed sugar
skulls and Calavera Catrina figures that are icons of the holiday.
One set of my earrings is made up of tiny, very detailed
mermaids embellished with rhinestones. A
ballerina necklace features a tiny, jointed doll with gold tone metal with a
blue silk tutu.
Several other dolls appear in Betsey Johnson jewelry lines,
and the word “doll” is used in some her clothing and shoe designs, like the
5.25 inch embellished heels called “Doll” Pumps.
Kahri by Karhianne Kerr has even created a portrait of
Betsey herself, with her long, bright blonde hair, red lips, and hot pinked
striped dress. (http://www.kahri.com/products/betsey-johnson-doll).
Betsey’s Adventure Book Shoulder Bag includes a cloth Betsey
doll for around $60.00. (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/507851295459893394/)
Dolls continued to play a role in Johnson’s designs when, in
2014, the “New York Daily News” reported that she was among several other
designers who designed OOAK doll costumes based on “The Wizard of Oz.”
According to her site, Betsey Johnson “celebrates the
exuberant.” I have to agree. She has been quoted as saying, “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"
Photos forthcoming; This past holiday season, I noticed 7 inch dolls made of
metal selling at Dillard’s for about $25.00.
These included many designs, as well as the princess, robot, and frog
shown on BetseyJohnson.com. The doll ornaments are described below:
From the official Betsey Johnson Site: http://www.betseyjohnson.com/product/PRINCESS-ORNAMENT/236408.uts?locale=en-US&selectedColor=MULTI&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=pla&gclid=CPulrPeK4ssCFYk9gQodWxsGvw
You'll love to trim the tree with this princess ornament from Betsey Johnson. It also comes with crystal stud earrings that would be a perfect stocking gift.
- Includes Princess ornament and crystal stud earring set
- Gold plating
- Material: metal/resin/fabric
- Ornament: 7"L x 2.75"W
- Stud: 0.25"L x 0.25"W
 |
| Betsy Johnson Public Domain Image |
There are also a frog and a robot, and all are currently
discounted from $25.00 to $9.99. Before
the holidays, these were available at Dillard’s Department Stores.
Recently, Johnson announced she would be moving permanently
to her home in Malibu
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