NicoleB posted about Betsey Johnson filing for bankruptcy, so I took a stroll through ebay for her stuff and was abruptly plunged into memory lane.

I COVETED Betsey in my 20's! I was in NYC and I used to make pilgrimages to her three stores - one on the upper E side, one allllllll the way by the east river in Midtown, and the one in Soho. I stalked her items at resale and vintage stores and on ebay. I still remember the giddy rush when I found something of hers that I could afford! The smell and feel of her fabrics, of her store, the distinctive look and feel of her patterns - how so many of them were slick on the inside and glided right on.

You know, back then I was very ill and very, very skinny (digestive disorder) - I had concave stomach, that tells you how very skinny I was! I also was in a lot of pain and in constant anxiety because let me tell you, digestive disorders can wreck your regular life. But the one bright spot was these lovely, lovely clothes with their over-the-top feminine swish. I couldn't wear all of the styles, but man, when I found the right ones, I rocked those babies!

It's funny, I also truly enjoyed the strict designs of the late 90s designers, and am still influenced by them today. But I have left Betsey behind. And scoring a vintage Helmut Lang or Jil Sander doesn't bring the same feeling as looking at these old Betseys. I still have a few packed away for DD. Maybe I'll take them out and look at them again.