Red Carpet Recessionistas

Remember when gawking at stars on the red carpet was about drooling over unattainable couture gowns?  I don’t know if it is the recession, the Obama effect, or the general democratization of style, but celebrities are flaunting bargain finds in front of paparazzi.

The early pioneer of the high-low red carpet look was Sharon Stone.  In 1996, she was the star to dress for the Academy Awards.  She made the best fashion press of the night when she declared she grabbed a Gap turtleneck from her closet for the evening.  (She failed to mention the Valentino skirt it was paired with).  As a result Gap was elevated to a serious fashion brand and even sponsored this year’s Met Costume Gala.

FLOTUS Michelle Obama is often seen mixing young designers with mass apparel brands like Talbot’s and J. Crew.  Elisabeth Moss of Mad Men struck a glamorous pose in a very attainable Topshop dress.  

One answer to this phenomenon would be the high end designer collaborations with mass market brands.  Edgy label Rodarte and Zac Posen recently created fabulous dresses for mega-retailer Target.  Natalie Portman was seen in a $40 Rodarte, Claire Danes sported the Zac Posen on the red carpet.  Gap has hired many a young designer like Prabal Garung and Thakoon for special projects.  Isaac Mizrahi has a special collection for Liz Claiborne, sold at J.C. Penney.

With funds no longer a problem, the rest of us plebeians have no excuse not to be red carpet ready.

Photos by Jason Kempin/Filmmagic,Steve Eichner,Marc Stamas/Getty Images

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Betsey Johnson's Birthday Party - Great at 68

Last night, fashion icon Betsey Johnson celebrated her Sweet 68 at her birthday party in Soho. She arrived in a pink limo. She looked fabulous in her signature blonde locks and red lipstick; she showed fans and colleagues that she has all the moxie she has always had since the 1960’s.

Staff and fashion groupies were dressed in girly Betsey Johnson frocks. Many wore wigs or styled their hair like their heroine. Some even paid homage through make-up.

Chambord provided raspberry flavored vodka cocktails. The Cupcake Café decked out the boutique in rich buttercream topped flower desserts.

The clothing had bright novelty prints that Betsey Johnson is known for. Dresses were girly, embellished with lace, ruffles, ready for dancing. Bows and roses decked handbags and shoes.

Betsey’s signature pink color has taken on a more significant meaning in recent years. She is a breast cancer survivor who has become a warrior against the disease. She was a chairperson for the CFDA’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign and co-authored the book “Why I Wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy” with Geralyn Lucas. She hosted charity events and raised money designing a t-shirt. She was presented with an award for her work by the National Breast Cancer Coalition in 2004.

Happy Birthday Betsey, and may you have many more to come!

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