SCAD Style: Betsey Johnson and Fern Mallis conversation
Wednesday proved to be another successful day at the university’s week-long appreciation of fashion, interior design, and art. World-acclaimed fashion designer, Betsey Johnson along with industry leader and fashion design consultant, Fern Mallis came together to talk about Johnson’s life and career in front of a room filled with an eager audience.
Johnson’s appearance was one event that many students were excited to see during SCAD Style. Many audience members were heard saying that they had been waiting in line for a couple of hours and that the line had extended all the way to the Ex Libris bookstore.
Michael Fink, the dean of the School of Fashion, started the evening off with a brief introduction to one of the night’s guests, elaborating on the accolades and achievements of Fern Mallis. Aside from being credited as the creator of New York Fashion Week, Mallis’ resume is a long one ranging from various awards and philanthropic fundraising to her own jewelry collection, FERN FINDS, and a conversation series, “Fashion Icons with Fern Mallis.”
“This is a great turnout, and it’s great to be back in Savannah,” said Mallis. “Betsey and I had so much fun in New York, when I interviewed her for my Fashion Icons series, that we thought to take the show on the road! … I tried very hard to keep Betsey in her seat that night, so maybe we’ll have better luck tonight.”
Before the guest of honor came out, a video montage of Betsey and her past runway shows was shown, reminding the crowd of her zany and fun persona and sense of style. And it didn’t stop there. For her stage entrance, the designer did her infamous runway cartwheel much to the delight of everyone.
Upon sitting down, one of the first things Johnson said was, “When can I move here?”
From there, Betsey and Fern began their conversation. They talked about Betsey’s family, her time growing up in high school, and her early college experiences at Pratt Institute and then her eventual graduation from Syracuse University. Her fashion career then began as the winner of the “Guest Editor Contest” for Mademoiselle magazine followed by her stint as an in-house designer for Paraphernalia boutique. After several years in the industry, Johnson eventually launched her own line in 1978.
“I had to work my a– off,” said Johnson. “You have to work hard, no one is just going to give you what you want.”
Her achievements are very substantial, winning numerous awards for her work and designs. She and Mallis discussed her receiving the Coty American Fashion Critics award and Medal of Honor for Lifetime Achievement in Fashion from the National Arts Club.
Throughout their conversation, Johnson and Mallis kept the audience entertained with off-topic ramblings and witty banter. The fashion designer’s fan based grew throughout the conversation. Her older fans fell in love with her even more while her new fans fell in love with her humility and dedication.
Hitting on serious points like her breast cancer diagnosis and eventual full recovery and her company’s recent bankruptcy, Johnson still showed that her attitude constantly remains positive. She now has a commercial line of clothing being sold in nationwide retailers and a reality television series coming out this May with her daughter, Lulu, on the Style network called “XOX Betsey.”
Towards the end of the talk, Mallis asked Johnson what was left on her bucket list. Her response: “Live!”
With everything that she has accomplished and everything else that is on her plate now, we’re sure to still see things from this icon for years to come.