Me and Betsey Johnson, BFFs Part 2

That's right. Me and Betsey. We're Besties. Honest! I started writing about how I got my internship with Betsey Johnson and even gave you a sneak peek of not only my little NY apartment, but Betsey's as well! Didn't see that post? Don't fret. I have it right here! I wrote the last post before she filed chapter 11 bankruptcy. I couldn't believe when I heard!

This is me in front of the Seattle, Betsey store. Sadly since the bankruptcy it was put out of business.

Anywhoodle, today I am going to talk about her office and what it was that I did for her. 

Betsey Johnson Corporate is located in the fashion district of New York on 36th and 7th. I was so excited to start my first day and at first look of the office, I was not disappointed! Here's a little tour.

This is what the elevators opened up to. Thinking back on it now I can remember how that whole floor smelled. It was like eucalyptus and menthol. Probably because Betsey doused herself in eucalyptus and was always sucking on menthol throat drops. True story.

That little window was for the receptionist. And behind that silver door was the mail room and the break room. The pics on the wall are of her and her granddaughter, Layla.

 Waiting area.

 Coming through the waiting area, you entered her showroom. Also the Intern's hang out.

 These are racks of a few season's collections. They were what magazine editors and celebrities, or their stylists would flip through when they wanted to borrow clothes for fashion shoots or events. I got to meet Lily Allen. See Exhibit A for what she picked out.

Exhibit A

Left: Silk Bow Dress. Right: Sequined black party dress

I love Lily Allen! This song was even my Myspace page song for a while. Way back when!

Alright. Back on track.

This was the left side of the show room

Betsey had painted girl murals on the wall. 

 This is the conference room. Also, The intern's sewing room. I sewed a few things in here for fashion shows.

This is Betsey's office. Small, but she was never really in it anyways.

So what did I do there? 

Everything.

I sewed buttons on sweaters

Dyed fabrics experimentally

Put glitter on sun glasses

Went to Macy's to buy Betsey's make-up. She favors Chanel's red lipstick.

Picked up coffee from the coffee shop around the corner. What was her order? I still remember it. Nonfat chai tea latte with two equals.

I made dinner reservations 

Called private schools for 5 hours straight to get her granddaughter in to kindergarten 2 years in advance.

picked up lunch

searched her apartment for lost medications

made fabric and trim runs

delivered dresses to photo shoots. I've seen the inside of COSMO'S office! 

packaged 500 invitations for the fashion show

shmoozed made a ninny of myself with Tori Spelling and LL Cool J

Helped with model fittings

Came up with dress line names. Jesus Jugs actually helped me out with that too (over the phone that is)

Photoshopped

Worked sample sales

And I decorated!

Like really decorated. Give me $500.00 to Party City and this is what I can do.

Me and Betsey's dog Lucy pre- Halloween party. I carved that pumpkin. It was supposed to be Marilyn Monroe's Face. You can see it right? Kind of?

The party theme was Rock Star. Me and another Intern, Sara were Salt and Peppa. But literally we were Salt and Peppa. Haha!

 

 This is Betsey's Daughter Lulu with her daughter, Layla and Betsey's Dog, Lucy.

 This is me and Betsey. She was Amy Winehouse. Freaking awesome.

I also decorated for Christmas, but This is the only photo I have to show for it. 

Me and Lucy in her winter suit.

I interned for Betsey from August until December. I was the longest running intern so I made sure to take seniority over the others. I mean, it was my right to do so. They loved me.  

Me and Betsey on my last day.

It was tradition for an intern's last day to throw a little party for them after work. The office puts together a little goody bag full of Betsey stuff and they give you flowers. It's nice.

 This was me and Brandon, He was the main evening wear designer and head of all the interns. Under me of course.

Here I am saying "Peace Out Betsey Johnson!"

My last day also happened to be Betsey Johnson's Holiday Party. 

Here we are again saying a final Good bye.

Living in New York was one of the funnest times of my short lived life. Now that you've seen what I did with Betsey. Stay tuned for next time when I show you more fun times I had with some of my still very good friends, The Webster Girls!

Me & Betsey Johnson, BFF's -Part 1

After I graduated from FIDM (The Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising) I went through sort of a funk. I was living in California still and working as a waitress for Ruby's Diner. My parents were supporting me, and my mom told me I needed to figure something out or *gasp!* move back to Seattle.

That night I got online and applied for every internship I could find. I must have sent out 50 resumes and out of all of them, Betsey Johnson was the only one that got back to me. 3 months after I applied I found myself on a plane headed to New York!

For those of you who have never been to New York, it's unlike any place I've ever seen. I myself had never been before and here I was with no friends and no family just myself and new adventures! It was like being in a different country. I was lucky enough that my Mama, came with me to help me set up my one room apartment and take me clothes shopping to start my new job. We also did some touring!

This is my tiny NY apartment, with not even a bathroom. My Mom decorated it for me while I was at my first day of work!

It came pre-furnished. But we did change out the drab curtains for the fabulous pink ones of course!

My little sink. Check out my door lock. Yup. I had a 'skeleton' style key.

This is what I walked out to from my little building.

And Time Square...

I was lucky enough that I got to be apart of New York Spring Fashion Week and helped set up for it!

Here I am spray painting the V.I.P. table centerpieces on top of Betsey's Penthouse apartment rooftop. 

I also managed to sneak a few photos of the inside. Shhh. don't tell! 

Her 5th Ave. loft was actually for sale before I headed back to California so, I'm sure it's no longer hers- which makes these photographs even more special!

Let's talk about the fashion show! As you know, Betsey's clothes are a little funky. Definitely feminine and flirty, totally fun, but sometimes a little too crazy (for me). The fashion show that I got to work on was "Prom Queen" themed, and holy moly I would have worn everything- straight off the runway if I could have. Check it out. You'll know what I'm talking about!

How cool is it that while the show was going on, I was right backstage next to the models watching the show on a flatscreen to the side? I felt like LC, or Whitney Port. So Cool!

And then afterwards we got to get all dressed up and celebrated at the after party!

Me and some of the other interns!

But wait! There's More!

Stay tuned for next time when I share the inside of Betsey's office and other fun pictures!

What am I loving Wednesday? Betsey Johnson of Course!

I'm sure you all know that Mercedes Benz fashion week is going on right now, and as much as I love all the designers, there is one in particular that stands out the most! Betsey Johnson! I have to admit, I am a little bias. I was lucky enough to work for her as a design intern and temporary personal assistant at her New York showroom in 2007. Working there and moving to The Big Apple was one of the greatest adventures of my life and looking back on it, I didn't realize how fortunate I was to have such an amazing opportunity. That story I've been meaning to write about, but will save for another time. Lets get back on track to what's really important right now, FASHION!

New York designer Betsey Johnson has built her long-standing career in fashion by following her own set of rules. Known for her celebration of the exuberant, the embellished, and the over the top, she has been rocking the fashion industry with her unique and original designs since the 1960’s. Her commitment to remain true to her one-of-a-kind vision has afforded Betsey continued success in an industry known for its fickleness. Her ability to change with the times while keeping her designs pure has not gone unnoticed. 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.

So yesterday was Betsey's day to show off her Spring 2012 collection and after checking out all her adorable designs I was nothing short of amazed. She definitely didn't disappoint! Take a look for yourself. These are a few of my favorites.

(Side Note: How freaking fabulous are those pantyhose? LOVE!)

What did I tell you? Super cute huh? Sometimes her clothes are a little off the wall (even for me) but these garbs are pure perfection. Looking through the slides made me nostalgic for when I worked at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week for the BJ Spring 2008 "Prom Queen" themed show. SO much so I dug up some pictures from my photo library for you all to look at.

These are the other Design Interns I worked with working hard to put together the invites for the show!

This is what the back side of the Invitation looked like (The front side pic I had was very blurry. Sorry!)

Here I am spray painting the center pieces for the VIP section tables of the show on Betsey's 5th Avenue Loft Penthouse apartment roof. Yes, you read that right. I was on her roof! I have pictures of her whole house that I plan on posting soon! So stay tuned!

That headband she's wearing... I made that!

I love this polka dot number. And how cute are those little socks?

I helped sew on those booty ruffles!

It's hard to see but those sunglasses were glittered. Lovingly sprinkled by a bunch of us interns!

This was one of I really like!

But this one was by far my favorite! Wouldn't you just die to wear this dress to prom?! Shoot. I'd wear it to the grocery store! So pretty!

And of course Betsey steals her own show every time by cart wheeling at the end! Even at 69 she still did it for yesterdays show! Betsey, you're the best!

As one journalist recently put it, "if Betsey Johnson didn't exist, we would have to invent her, simply to remind ourselves that fashion can be fun. She's the original wild child and she is set to paint the town pink!" 

Happy Hump Day Senoritas!