If you’re part of the underground artistic scene, you’ve likely felt the influence of Betsy Johnson in the world of fashion for quite some time. Hailing from Grimsby, this multidisciplinary artist and director, now based in London, is known for her work in creative direction, photography, casting, and styling. For her latest work, she’s unveiled an exciting project called “PRODUCTS 01“.
“PRODUCTS 01” isn’t your typical venture. It’s Betsy’s way of sparking socio-political dialogues within the fashion realm. Her past work has been groundbreaking, creating iconic and culturally resonant editorial images. “PRODUCTS 01” is the next step in her mission to push the boundaries.
“PRODUCTS 01,” is a collaboration with Friends UY Studio and Giaborghini. Betsy’s inspiration for this project comes from a shift in fashion dynamics over the last eight years. It’s become commonplace to see the affluent adopting the style of the working class without understanding their struggles…. (something Burberry was called out for recently). Now, Betsy is taking action with “PRODUCTS.”
“Fashion for the last eight years: the rich wanting to look poor, adopting all the tropes of working-class life but never knowing the true extent of how it feels to really stress about your bills. To be judged socio-economically by how you dress was the norm until eight years ago, now everyone is in disguise. Your rich DJ friend who’s ‘broke’ dresses the same as if you hustled your way from a council estate to manage to even get into the same room.
What if fashion became a place where the rich really looked rich? It was this frustration that became the starting point for this project its more of a curated visual essay through products. How every working-class artist must commercialize themselves to survive and make ends meet. How class is one great illusion and disguise. How recession and the changing face of the royal family all roll into one big conversation in the heat of a Thatcher Part 2 post-Brexit recession wealth gap without a bridge in sight,” says Betsy Johnson to HYPEBEAST.
Expect exaggerated shoulder silhouettes, conservative headpieces, micro mini skirts, and sporty glasses. This collection is a fusion of Northern British workwear, Royal Family elegance, and underground rave culture during a recession. The collection is a visual discourse on commodity culture, commercialism, class, and recession. It presents stark contradictions brought to life through production in Europe with eco-leather and ethically sourced materials.
She says, “PRODUCTS 01 is just the beginning. We plan to explore and collaborate with various companies and independent projects, not just limited to clothing. This is a universal platform to reshape the way we do things in the fashion and art world.”
Betsy Johnson is reshaping norms, challenging our views on class and fashion, and creating a space where art and design converge to redefine the fashion landscape. Expect PRODUCTS 01 By Betsy Johnson to be available sometime in February 2024.
