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Betsey: A Memoir
A memoir by the internationally famous fashion designer and style icon
Mention the name "Betsey Johnson" and almost every woman from the age of 15 to 75 can rapturously recall a favorite dress or outfit; whether worn for a prom, a wedding, or just to stand out from the crowd in a colorful way. They may also know her as a renegade single mom who palled around with Edie Sedgwick, Twiggy, and The Velvet Underground, or even as a celebrity contestant on Dancing with the Stars. Betsey is also famous for her iconic pink stores (she had 65 shops across the US) and for her habit of doing cartwheels and splits down the runway at the close of her fashion shows. Throughout her decades-long career, she's taken pride in producing fun but rule-breaking clothing at an accessible price point. What they might not know is that she built an empire from scratch, and brought stretch clothing to the masses in the 80s and 90s.
Betsey will take the reader behind the tutu and delve deeply into what it took to go from a white picket fence childhood in Connecticut to becoming an internationally known force in a tough, competitive business. The book will feature Betsey's candid memories of the fashion and downtown scene in the 60s and how she started her own business from the ground up after designing successfully for multiple other companies. She will discuss that business's ups and downs and reinventions (including bankruptcy), and her thoughts on body image, love, divorce, men, motherhood, and her bout with breast cancer. Betsey will be richly illustrated with many of her landmark clothes, fashion sketches, and personal photos--making the book the perfect memento and gift for every girl (of any age) for whom Betsey is, as a recent New York Times profile noted, "a role model still."
Mention the name "Betsey Johnson" and almost every woman from the age of 15 to 75 can rapturously recall a favorite dress or outfit; whether worn for a prom, a wedding, or just to stand out from the crowd in a colorful way. They may also know her as a renegade single mom who palled around with Edie Sedgwick, Twiggy, and The Velvet Underground, or even as a celebrity contestant on Dancing with the Stars. Betsey is also famous for her iconic pink stores (she had 65 shops across the US) and for her habit of doing cartwheels and splits down the runway at the close of her fashion shows. Throughout her decades-long career, she's taken pride in producing fun but rule-breaking clothing at an accessible price point. What they might not know is that she built an empire from scratch, and brought stretch clothing to the masses in the 80s and 90s.
Betsey will take the reader behind the tutu and delve deeply into what it took to go from a white picket fence childhood in Connecticut to becoming an internationally known force in a tough, competitive business. The book will feature Betsey's candid memories of the fashion and downtown scene in the 60s and how she started her own business from the ground up after designing successfully for multiple other companies. She will discuss that business's ups and downs and reinventions (including bankruptcy), and her thoughts on body image, love, divorce, men, motherhood, and her bout with breast cancer. Betsey will be richly illustrated with many of her landmark clothes, fashion sketches, and personal photos--making the book the perfect memento and gift for every girl (of any age) for whom Betsey is, as a recent New York Times profile noted, "a role model still."
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First published April 7, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
April 11, 2020
Betsey Johnson's reality.
Don't get me wrong, I love Betsey Johnson designs. I own jewelry, shoes, sunglasses and my particular passion these days, watches. I loved her zany mixture of fabrics.
So who was this woman with such ingenious designs! I did watch a TV series about her that I enjoyed, but for some reason I didn't connect as I thought I would with this title.
Some of her reasons for doing things seemed unconventional, even when wrapped up in conventionality. Like marriage. Her reason for marrying burger flipper Jeff? Well it's ... really, I have no words. Possibly it was the times, the 60's. Still Betsey's reasoning maybe says it all. As she tells it, it was 'because that’s what I was designing at the time—a collection for an entire wedding party: the bride, bridesmaids, the hot ex-girlfriend, and of course, the flower girls.' The thought of capping off a new collection with a high profile occasion seemed liked a good idea. Maybe it was just part of going with the flow, seeking new experiences, the fantasy of it all. Who knows? Betsey doesn't seem to either. The marriage lasted three months.
This look into Betsey's colorful life is inviting, where she came from, her various struggles including health issues, her rise in and the challenges she faced over years in the fashion/design industry, her relationship with her beloved daughter Lulu, and her many friendships. Always ready to look in new directions!
BTW you just have to love her book cover.
Betsey the design icon! As I said' I love her work, and I do admire her ability to tell it how she saw it--Betsey being ... well, Just Betsey!
A Penguin Viking ARC via NetGalley
Don't get me wrong, I love Betsey Johnson designs. I own jewelry, shoes, sunglasses and my particular passion these days, watches. I loved her zany mixture of fabrics.
So who was this woman with such ingenious designs! I did watch a TV series about her that I enjoyed, but for some reason I didn't connect as I thought I would with this title.
Some of her reasons for doing things seemed unconventional, even when wrapped up in conventionality. Like marriage. Her reason for marrying burger flipper Jeff? Well it's ... really, I have no words. Possibly it was the times, the 60's. Still Betsey's reasoning maybe says it all. As she tells it, it was 'because that’s what I was designing at the time—a collection for an entire wedding party: the bride, bridesmaids, the hot ex-girlfriend, and of course, the flower girls.' The thought of capping off a new collection with a high profile occasion seemed liked a good idea. Maybe it was just part of going with the flow, seeking new experiences, the fantasy of it all. Who knows? Betsey doesn't seem to either. The marriage lasted three months.
This look into Betsey's colorful life is inviting, where she came from, her various struggles including health issues, her rise in and the challenges she faced over years in the fashion/design industry, her relationship with her beloved daughter Lulu, and her many friendships. Always ready to look in new directions!
BTW you just have to love her book cover.
Betsey the design icon! As I said' I love her work, and I do admire her ability to tell it how she saw it--Betsey being ... well, Just Betsey!
A Penguin Viking ARC via NetGalley
December 12, 2019
Disclaimer: I generally don't care for memoir, and when i do read a famous person's memoir, i also read a lot of other books/articles about them, because I don't believe you can know your own life's truth and tell it without personal bias and aggrandizement.
I've long been a fan of Betsey Johnson's fashion designs and have owned several of her dresses, boots, and bags. Her aesthetic tends to jive with my own personal style, or has at various times in the past. So, it was as a wearer of her designs that i came to this memoir.
Johnson is not a writer. I mean, yes, she has written this memoir which reads like it was dictated to her phone; it actually might have been since she claims she was briefly married to the original inventor of voice-to-text. She's led a wild and interesting life, but she doesn't tell her own story in an engaging way. I was carried along by the events and circumstances of her story, but it feels like when a small child tells you about a dream they had in exhaustive, circuitous detail. Very much a feeling of, "and then this happened and this happened and digression and wacky wacky and cool cool."
She's remarkably devoid of introspection when it comes to the lives of anyone around her. For example, she gushes about how hot Edie Sedgwick looked wearing her clothes, but doesn't even make note of the fact that Edie was an anorexic junkie about to die at the time. She's fairly clueless about her abusive exes and her own battles with health challenges like breast cancer are recounted with a similar shallow perspective.
The last section of the book is a defense of her decision to enter into a corporate partnership in which she tried to absolve herself of any responsibility for why the brand/chain then imploded and failed. It was interesting to see all the photos, and particularly to see one of her and Bill Cunningham, whose recent posthumous memoir was similarly vapid.
I don't know, i didn't hate it. I don't wish I had the hours of my life back i spent reading it. But, don't go into it thinking it's anything beyond an admittedly talented designer bragging about her mostly-awesome life.
I received a copy of this book from #netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've long been a fan of Betsey Johnson's fashion designs and have owned several of her dresses, boots, and bags. Her aesthetic tends to jive with my own personal style, or has at various times in the past. So, it was as a wearer of her designs that i came to this memoir.
Johnson is not a writer. I mean, yes, she has written this memoir which reads like it was dictated to her phone; it actually might have been since she claims she was briefly married to the original inventor of voice-to-text. She's led a wild and interesting life, but she doesn't tell her own story in an engaging way. I was carried along by the events and circumstances of her story, but it feels like when a small child tells you about a dream they had in exhaustive, circuitous detail. Very much a feeling of, "and then this happened and this happened and digression and wacky wacky and cool cool."
She's remarkably devoid of introspection when it comes to the lives of anyone around her. For example, she gushes about how hot Edie Sedgwick looked wearing her clothes, but doesn't even make note of the fact that Edie was an anorexic junkie about to die at the time. She's fairly clueless about her abusive exes and her own battles with health challenges like breast cancer are recounted with a similar shallow perspective.
The last section of the book is a defense of her decision to enter into a corporate partnership in which she tried to absolve herself of any responsibility for why the brand/chain then imploded and failed. It was interesting to see all the photos, and particularly to see one of her and Bill Cunningham, whose recent posthumous memoir was similarly vapid.
I don't know, i didn't hate it. I don't wish I had the hours of my life back i spent reading it. But, don't go into it thinking it's anything beyond an admittedly talented designer bragging about her mostly-awesome life.
I received a copy of this book from #netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
March 2, 2021
Betsey Johnson’s career spans 50+ years of highly creative fashion design. This is a breezy memoir of her eventful life.
While her style is unique and breakthrough, Johnson writes of it as merely adding color, using new fabrics and changing hemlines. She writes of (her months long) marriage to John Cale of the Velvet Underground and of hiring neighborhood prostitutes as models (she says this is all she can afford), but does not note that these - the Warhol Factory and seedy street culture - as major influences on her style. If you didn't know her clothes and just read the text, you wouldn't understand the niche her clothing line dominated for years.
There is no introspection in this book. There is no discussion of the growth of her “brand” from a commercial version of the underground (drug) style to that of a whimsy and fun nor is there any reflection on her choice of not just men, but husbands. Why Betsey and Chantel (presumably Betsey’s father had been bought out by this time) decided to not just sell the company, but to surrender full control is not at all clear.
The most interesting sections, for me, were
• the “Mademoiselle” Guest Editorship
• how, after buying her company, the new MBA types hired by the owners tried to determine the direction of the company through charts and analysis
• the chapter on breast cancer
The career part of the memoir essentially ends with a bankruptcy in 2012, leaving unexplained her active web site, and Betsey Johnson stores that were still in business (as far as I know) in 2018.
You can read it in hours. As with any summary, a lot (besides introspection) is missing.
While her style is unique and breakthrough, Johnson writes of it as merely adding color, using new fabrics and changing hemlines. She writes of (her months long) marriage to John Cale of the Velvet Underground and of hiring neighborhood prostitutes as models (she says this is all she can afford), but does not note that these - the Warhol Factory and seedy street culture - as major influences on her style. If you didn't know her clothes and just read the text, you wouldn't understand the niche her clothing line dominated for years.
There is no introspection in this book. There is no discussion of the growth of her “brand” from a commercial version of the underground (drug) style to that of a whimsy and fun nor is there any reflection on her choice of not just men, but husbands. Why Betsey and Chantel (presumably Betsey’s father had been bought out by this time) decided to not just sell the company, but to surrender full control is not at all clear.
The most interesting sections, for me, were
• the “Mademoiselle” Guest Editorship
• how, after buying her company, the new MBA types hired by the owners tried to determine the direction of the company through charts and analysis
• the chapter on breast cancer
The career part of the memoir essentially ends with a bankruptcy in 2012, leaving unexplained her active web site, and Betsey Johnson stores that were still in business (as far as I know) in 2018.
You can read it in hours. As with any summary, a lot (besides introspection) is missing.
May 27, 2020
Fun read! Betsey does a great job with the audio too. Aside from picking all the wrong men, Betsey’s life has been pretty charmed and it made for a light and delightful listen. She’s a trailblazer with a positive attitude that can’t be squashed.
June 12, 2025
I fucking love Betsey. That’s all that needs to be said for this book.
February 12, 2021
“I wore a Betsey dress to ...( fill in the blank) ‘Did you have a great time?’ The answer is always ‘YES?’”
My love for Betsey Johnson started in my early 20s because not only is she fun, fearless and has the most whimsical designs around, she has good construction and design concept. Betsey broke the way in the 70s from stepping away from polyester garments and introduced us to lycra! That is huge. This memoir is a god mix of her personal life & creative journey.
I loved finding out that she started in Fine Art School in Surface Design and Textiles and garment making came later. She’s had ups and downs with men, being a single mother, health and her business and is a power house to come out on top.
Also a shout out to Betsey because she was my FIRST designer purse I ever bought on my own. Even if I left the house in a total mess, I’d toss my Betsey Gold chain and black quilted leather purse on and I felt like a million dollars. Thank you Betsey! XOXO
My love for Betsey Johnson started in my early 20s because not only is she fun, fearless and has the most whimsical designs around, she has good construction and design concept. Betsey broke the way in the 70s from stepping away from polyester garments and introduced us to lycra! That is huge. This memoir is a god mix of her personal life & creative journey.
I loved finding out that she started in Fine Art School in Surface Design and Textiles and garment making came later. She’s had ups and downs with men, being a single mother, health and her business and is a power house to come out on top.
Also a shout out to Betsey because she was my FIRST designer purse I ever bought on my own. Even if I left the house in a total mess, I’d toss my Betsey Gold chain and black quilted leather purse on and I felt like a million dollars. Thank you Betsey! XOXO
April 20, 2020
Zoomed through this in one day. LOVE IT. Maybe it's because I love her.
Betsey is telling about all the pains and perks of being the phenomenon that she is. I truly love this woman. I'm a huge fan, so it will be hard for me to criticize anything here. Also, I've met this woman many times, and though we've had personal conversations, it was wonderful to read stories I already knew and finally hear some more background details. This is an authentic peek into the fashion world, and then a little snippet on the art world, the music world, the NYC scene in the 70s, 80s, and more. This does not examine or dive into the recognizable names and events in her orbit. This is her story about herself and her decisions and what she is choosing to tell. Because she certainly lived a serendipitous life, her story is one of inspiration and hope and possibility. You don't have to be into fashion to appreciate Betsey's story.
Knowing Betsey, though, she is even more spunky than this reads. I wish a little more of her personality came through. I never heard of this author nor do I know his credentials, so I'm not sure if he owns the lack of spark on the pages that does not do justice to Betsey. The tone is a bit flat for a woman who is anything but.
There is NO other designer that even comes close to Betsey's creativity, boldness, effusiveness, unabashed expression. Betsey is truly incomparable. No one has her guts, her spunk, her exuberant expression. If you don't know this woman, get to know her, and this book is a good place to start. She is a treasure and an inspiration. Betsey is truly a fabulous, fun, frenetic force. Betsey is human glitter.
When and if Betsey does a book signing or a store appearance, do yourself a favor and go. Meet her. Discover what spirit is.
I recommend this even though I gave more a review on the woman than I did on the book. Oh, and I so totally love the cover. Xox
Betsey is telling about all the pains and perks of being the phenomenon that she is. I truly love this woman. I'm a huge fan, so it will be hard for me to criticize anything here. Also, I've met this woman many times, and though we've had personal conversations, it was wonderful to read stories I already knew and finally hear some more background details. This is an authentic peek into the fashion world, and then a little snippet on the art world, the music world, the NYC scene in the 70s, 80s, and more. This does not examine or dive into the recognizable names and events in her orbit. This is her story about herself and her decisions and what she is choosing to tell. Because she certainly lived a serendipitous life, her story is one of inspiration and hope and possibility. You don't have to be into fashion to appreciate Betsey's story.
Knowing Betsey, though, she is even more spunky than this reads. I wish a little more of her personality came through. I never heard of this author nor do I know his credentials, so I'm not sure if he owns the lack of spark on the pages that does not do justice to Betsey. The tone is a bit flat for a woman who is anything but.
There is NO other designer that even comes close to Betsey's creativity, boldness, effusiveness, unabashed expression. Betsey is truly incomparable. No one has her guts, her spunk, her exuberant expression. If you don't know this woman, get to know her, and this book is a good place to start. She is a treasure and an inspiration. Betsey is truly a fabulous, fun, frenetic force. Betsey is human glitter.
When and if Betsey does a book signing or a store appearance, do yourself a favor and go. Meet her. Discover what spirit is.
I recommend this even though I gave more a review on the woman than I did on the book. Oh, and I so totally love the cover. Xox
May 21, 2020
I enjoyed this because she doesn't divulge everything. It was a "simple" memoir, and there weren't pages upon pages of deep thoughts. She wrote about her life and the ups and downs but didn't dwell. It sounds like she doesn't dwell on the past, so why should she in the book.
I didn't know anything about her than her brand. So I was coming to this memoir pretty blind about the person, and I didn't mind that lack of details, it was more than I had to begin. I enjoyed the photos of the book.
It was short, under 300 pages and I found it a fast read, I read it in a few hours total.
I received an arc from Edelweiss and Viking for an honest review.
I didn't know anything about her than her brand. So I was coming to this memoir pretty blind about the person, and I didn't mind that lack of details, it was more than I had to begin. I enjoyed the photos of the book.
It was short, under 300 pages and I found it a fast read, I read it in a few hours total.
I received an arc from Edelweiss and Viking for an honest review.
June 21, 2022
Very readable. Not much depth but still delightful. As always, interesting to see a boomer parent justify her actions.
August 11, 2024
Ooh, this was a strange one. ‘90s Betsey is probably the only designer I get excited about so I picked this as the fluffy book I desperately needed for an escape, and man, it felt ghostwritten, or at least pieced together from her oral stories. I don’t know whether to be disappointed at how much she glossed over or impressed by how much she’s keeping for herself, because between all the stuff about building her business, there are relatively brief stories about abusive/controlling/addicted husbands, breast cancer, heart surgery she was sure would end her life, the threat of bankruptcy after giving up control of her business, and her dad being in charge of the neighborhood blackout curtains during WWII. I lost a bit of respect when she admitted she married a couple of her husbands because she was hooked on their good looks or the lifestyle they enabled. At least she’s aware of as much.
As the story ends you realize how many times she’s reminded you that she’s just gotta keep moving forward. That’s a hell of a superpower, I think? Or maybe she plays a terrible role in some of her own stories and isn’t aware of it? We’ll never know!
As the story ends you realize how many times she’s reminded you that she’s just gotta keep moving forward. That’s a hell of a superpower, I think? Or maybe she plays a terrible role in some of her own stories and isn’t aware of it? We’ll never know!
April 11, 2021
An interesting look at the life of one of my favorite designers!
May 11, 2022
Very surface level, failed to get deep into much of anything. Well I guess she kind of did?? Idk she would touch on some things but just when we were starting to hear her really open up about something she would rush off to the next subject. She also at times assumed we knew about her life (example: right at the beginning she said that her mom was the school counselor and said something like “the kids had to go see MY mom as the school counselor! Can you even imagine my mom, a school counselor?!” And I’m like girly…. I know NOTHING about your mom so I have no clue? Maybe? This book had potential to be really good, I mean it’s Betsey Johnson and she is quite an interesting person but it just never took me there.
May 12, 2020
This was fabulous! I will own a copy. Her story is not perfect but she didn't hesitate to share her struggles. 💝
March 27, 2021
I was thrilled to see this book on the “New Books” shelf at the library. I have a large interest in fashion (despite being completely unfashionable myself) and am a fan of Betsey’s work. I settled in with it, expecting insights into her life and creative process, as well as learning more about how the fashion world worked during her heyday. I read the book over one night.
At the end, I was kind of sad. The book did not live up to my expectations. I figured it would be a really exciting tale. Parts were, of course, but a lot of the story was oddly flat. I don’t know if this was a result of two people telling her story (perhaps her style and that of Vitulano didn’t mesh? I don’t know), or if Johnson was under a time crunch to get the book done, or what. But there were very few places where I felt her emotions, her creative fire.
Her early life at school and home came across well; there is a good deal of detail in that section. The part where she moves to New York and is working for Mademoiselle have a sense of exhilaration; how could it not when things move as fast as her early career did? Her professional life seems to have always been moving fast, leaving the reader to wonder if Johnson can keep up with it. Her private life also moves fast; she admits that she was in love with the idea of love and falls fast- sadly, for the wrong men. Her first three husbands are emotionally abusive (and sometimes physically so), which led me to thinking “RUN NOW” and being amazed at how long she stayed with a couple of them. Given how open she is about it being abused, I think she’s learned her lesson. She’s been with her current husband for 23 years now (she does not mention this man in the book) so things seem calm from the outside.
Her professional life was one of ups and downs; her clothes exploded on the fashion scene, different from what anyone else was doing. Trying to get out from under working for others, she had trouble borrowing money to start her own store- and paid it back in record time. At one point she had 66 retail stores. Then some bad business decisions were made, the economy went down the tubes, and she lucked out when Steve Madden bought her company. She is still creative director, so her fashions still live for yet another generation of girls. Sadly, I can only give the book 3 stars.
At the end, I was kind of sad. The book did not live up to my expectations. I figured it would be a really exciting tale. Parts were, of course, but a lot of the story was oddly flat. I don’t know if this was a result of two people telling her story (perhaps her style and that of Vitulano didn’t mesh? I don’t know), or if Johnson was under a time crunch to get the book done, or what. But there were very few places where I felt her emotions, her creative fire.
Her early life at school and home came across well; there is a good deal of detail in that section. The part where she moves to New York and is working for Mademoiselle have a sense of exhilaration; how could it not when things move as fast as her early career did? Her professional life seems to have always been moving fast, leaving the reader to wonder if Johnson can keep up with it. Her private life also moves fast; she admits that she was in love with the idea of love and falls fast- sadly, for the wrong men. Her first three husbands are emotionally abusive (and sometimes physically so), which led me to thinking “RUN NOW” and being amazed at how long she stayed with a couple of them. Given how open she is about it being abused, I think she’s learned her lesson. She’s been with her current husband for 23 years now (she does not mention this man in the book) so things seem calm from the outside.
Her professional life was one of ups and downs; her clothes exploded on the fashion scene, different from what anyone else was doing. Trying to get out from under working for others, she had trouble borrowing money to start her own store- and paid it back in record time. At one point she had 66 retail stores. Then some bad business decisions were made, the economy went down the tubes, and she lucked out when Steve Madden bought her company. She is still creative director, so her fashions still live for yet another generation of girls. Sadly, I can only give the book 3 stars.
August 20, 2022
As a fashion lover and a fan of Betsey Johnson's bold and vivacious style, I found this book very fun. From this memoir I gather that Betsey was quite the optimist, which gives her story "feel good" vibes. Where the memoir lacks is in reflection. It would have been more interesting to hear some introspection from the author of how she feels about her actions and relationships looking back.
August 4, 2024
all hail betsey johnson! spending way too much time on ebay now bidding on pink dresses… it’s fine. i’m FINE. !!! listening to the audiobook made this for me– I love when authors narrate their own work, especially memoirs! would recommend the audio with betsey’s voice over reading the text alone 💕🌹🍒👙👄💄
September 27, 2025
I absolutely love the fashion forwardness of Betsey. She's been an inspiration for the longest time and was always afraid to fully be me. Now that I have the confidence and the IDGAF attitude, I feel I can embrace myself as is. Listening to her life story and learning that she's a Leo goddess herself, left me appreciating her work her style her way of life. Through this book I also learned I can love myself a lil bit more and Im happy to know others are just like me, famous or not.
December 19, 2021
Loved how sincere and honest Betsey talked in her book. I was surprised she went into her many unfortunate relationships but it seems like she grew from them. How fun to see how her looks changed from an innocent young girl to a dynamic way out there blonde with a Mick Jaguar haircut. Fun book! Easy read.
April 15, 2022
Not a natural writer, but still a fun read.
I appreciate her as an unsung fashion influence. It was nice to see someone so pure in her passion. She was a little naive, in her younger and early adult years, though.
I appreciate her as an unsung fashion influence. It was nice to see someone so pure in her passion. She was a little naive, in her younger and early adult years, though.
August 23, 2020
This is a fun romp through the 60s and 70s. Betsey was dedicated to her craft above all else and this memoir tells the story and how she evolved from a junior designer to an icon.
December 30, 2020
an incredibly interesting memoir of an entrepreneur living in NYC during the 50s-90s. I still have a Betsey dress that I am saving for my daughter! Fun stories about NYC during the time of Warhol. Interesting business insights as well.
October 19, 2021
Ohmygosh I love Betsey so much!
This was such an amazing read.
She's so sweet and adorable! ❤
This was such an amazing read.
She's so sweet and adorable! ❤
July 1, 2020
3.5 stars
A fresh, breezy account of a woman who knew what she wanted in life and was willing to work hard and to be persistent in achieving her goals. I liked her honesty in talking about her life, including the ups and downs of her romantic adventures, but most of all in her determination to become a successful clothes designer, and in not letting setbacks deter her from her goals.
A fresh, breezy account of a woman who knew what she wanted in life and was willing to work hard and to be persistent in achieving her goals. I liked her honesty in talking about her life, including the ups and downs of her romantic adventures, but most of all in her determination to become a successful clothes designer, and in not letting setbacks deter her from her goals.
May 1, 2024
Her writing is a bit chaotic but I thought it was very fun, colorful and rock and roll! Loved it and it will be on my bookshelf for a long time. Betsey Johnson is an icon and my heart loved going on that ride with her.
October 24, 2025
3.5 but we’re being generous
November 14, 2021
3.75.
NFN - INDUSTRY (fashion)/STYLE
NFN - INDUSTRY (fashion)/STYLE
June 1, 2020
I love Betsey Johnson. I wear her clothes and feel fabulous in them, even as a middle-aged woman; but, her memoir leaves me wanting much much more. I realize Betsey is not a writer, yet she wrote her story, with the help of her co-writer, Mark Vitulano, to paint her journey of many ups and downs throughout her exciting life.
I don't know if there was a time crunch to get it to the publisher, but for every main event, only a cursory, very short chapter was given mention of what should have been flushed with detailed descriptions. There were few sensory details to bring the reader into the story. Presented in a such a literal way, from birth to present, Betsey's co-writer could have played with so many available literary tools for creating a fascinating story. I felt as though I was reading a book proposal used to sell the eventual story. Likewise, I didn't feel any emotional changes in how I reacted to many of Betsey's life events --- of which there were many. There simply was no story arc to take us in and out of important events with all the inherent feels.
What I did like about this fun little book were the colorful pictures of Betsey's fashions. Once I perused these glossy pages, I went online to buy a frock or two. This book works as a brochure for Betsey's amazing talent and vision. I also like that I know a bit about her life, which adds more interest to her clothes. I could say this was a fun read to a certain extent, but it left me flat as a literary event. However, I will always love Betsey's fashions and wish her well in life.
I don't know if there was a time crunch to get it to the publisher, but for every main event, only a cursory, very short chapter was given mention of what should have been flushed with detailed descriptions. There were few sensory details to bring the reader into the story. Presented in a such a literal way, from birth to present, Betsey's co-writer could have played with so many available literary tools for creating a fascinating story. I felt as though I was reading a book proposal used to sell the eventual story. Likewise, I didn't feel any emotional changes in how I reacted to many of Betsey's life events --- of which there were many. There simply was no story arc to take us in and out of important events with all the inherent feels.
What I did like about this fun little book were the colorful pictures of Betsey's fashions. Once I perused these glossy pages, I went online to buy a frock or two. This book works as a brochure for Betsey's amazing talent and vision. I also like that I know a bit about her life, which adds more interest to her clothes. I could say this was a fun read to a certain extent, but it left me flat as a literary event. However, I will always love Betsey's fashions and wish her well in life.
December 31, 2019
This book was received as an ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Viking in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
I am very familiar with the designs of Betsey Johnson and the unique empire she built from the ground up and everyone loved her designs because they are all about pops of color and using unique materials that no designer has ever thought to have used before such as beads, barrettes and costume-esque wear for the main materials of the design. My favorite part was the beginning when Betsey really went in depth of her upbringing and high school/college career and how she admits that looks are not everything and fade over time and that she was popular because people embraced her fun personality and it showed throughout her clothing which she believes was the rise of her clothing empire. I remember her on Dancing with the Stars and have been to a couple of her stores and remembering how fun the clothing was and having the pink mixed with the leopard as her signature look. Knowing where she came from and the work she took to build her empire will make you a fan even more and I know a lot of people will be remembering her for a long time.
We will consider adding this title to our Biography collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
I am very familiar with the designs of Betsey Johnson and the unique empire she built from the ground up and everyone loved her designs because they are all about pops of color and using unique materials that no designer has ever thought to have used before such as beads, barrettes and costume-esque wear for the main materials of the design. My favorite part was the beginning when Betsey really went in depth of her upbringing and high school/college career and how she admits that looks are not everything and fade over time and that she was popular because people embraced her fun personality and it showed throughout her clothing which she believes was the rise of her clothing empire. I remember her on Dancing with the Stars and have been to a couple of her stores and remembering how fun the clothing was and having the pink mixed with the leopard as her signature look. Knowing where she came from and the work she took to build her empire will make you a fan even more and I know a lot of people will be remembering her for a long time.
We will consider adding this title to our Biography collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
December 9, 2019
Reading this was kind of like meeting up with your contagiously enthusiastic, positive-thinking, impossibly cool aunt at her favorite old school Italian restaurant (checked tablecloths, chianti bottle candleholders with decades of melted wax attached to them) and letting her reel off her life story (the good, the bad, the ugly- no regrets) over the course of the evening. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll be surprised, and you'll lose track of how much wine you drank while you listened. And you'll root for her every step of the way.
January 25, 2020
Disappointing. Such an interesting life be she shares nothing but a few facts.
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