Betsey Johnson | Artifacts

Betsey Johnson (August 10, 1942 – ) started out young as a dancer and a college cheerleader at Syracuse, so she knew about making clothes and costumes that fit the body’s needs. Through an internship at Mademoiselle, she plummeted into Carnaby Street, the epicentre of London’s Swinging Sixties fashion. She soon began designing her own line of jazzy, flirty, bright clothes in unconventional materials. Exemplifing the Youthquaker Generation, she employed Edie Sedgwick as her fitting model. Betsey became a key designer at Paraphernalia, creating outfits for The Velvet Underground, and marrying John Cale. Betsey Johnson stores grew worldwide and she expanded beyond dresses to handbags, shoes, and accessories, incorporating punk aesthetics. Her fashion shows characteristically ended with her doing a cartwheel. Betsey now lives in Malibu. Chapters: 0:00 Early Life 1:00 Welcome to Artifacts 10:46 Paraphernalia 19:31 Andy Warhol 22:02 The Visual of the 60s 26:59 John Cale 31:47 Post-60s 34:59 Credits Watch the interview ad-free with interactive content and bonus material on the Artifacts platform: https://artifacts.movie/betsey-johnson/ Betsey’s Interview is part of Artifacts' Silver Factory series, an enthralling journey through Andy Warhol’s Factory, uncovering the mesmerising stories of its vibrant inhabitants. The Silver Factory Series also features original interviews with Mary Woronov, Brigid Berlin, John Cale, and more. Explore the Silver Factory Series: https://artifacts.movie/silver-factory/ Artifacts Socials: IG:   / artifacts_movie   TikTok:   / artifacts_movie   X: https://x.com/artifacts_movie FB:   / artifactsmoviearchive   ABOUT ARTIFACTS Artifacts is a new online video platform and 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the vibrant history of avant-garde queer and underground movements through long-form in-depth interviews with the artists, thinkers, and revolutionaries who shaped them. All films on Artifacts are made available entirely for free with no paywall. Please consider supporting our mission to preserve cultural history by making a tax-deductible donation today at https://artifacts.movie/donate/