Betsey Johnson was born in Connecticut and spent her childhood in dance classes. Her aspirations to be a dancer and her love for costumes laid the foundation for Betsey’s creativity and inspiration, which is still evident in her designs today. In 1964, Betsey officially entered the New York fashion scene by winning Mademoiselle magazine’s Guest Editor Contest. One year later, she landed the top designer position for Paraphernalia, a clothing boutique that housed the hottest young designers.

In 1978, after a decade of designing for other labels, Betsey decided to launch the Betsey Johnson label as it is known today. Today, there are over 41 Betsey Johnson stores worldwide.

Betsey has built her long-standing career in fashion by following her own set of rules. Her ability to change with the times while keeping her designs pure has not gone unnoticed. In 1972, along with Halston, Betsey won the coveted Coty Winnie Award. At the 1999 CFDA Awards, Betsey was presented The Timeless Talent Award, created especially for her, which recognized her influence on fashion throughout her career. In late 2002, Betsey was inducted into the Fashion Walk of Fame, honoring her contribution to American fashion.

A survivor of breast cancer, Betsey continues to be a strong advocate in the fight against the disease, making public appearances, participating in numerous fundraising events and creating one-of-a-kind items that have been auctioned off to raise funds for various charities.