Fashion Funhouse Emporium

Betsey Johnson and Singer Ida Maria - Spring 2010 MBFW

The only thing that would've made this party any better is if drunk people started lighting up, ashing on The Plaza's carpets and tossing flat screens out The Plaza windows.  F*ckin' Betsey! Woooooooooooo!

Betsey Johnson threw quite the party for her New York Fashion Spring 2010 Collection.  When I walked in, a dozen models with crazy colored head pieces and a wild mish-mash of dresses and separates of bright frills and sequins, all danced on stage to songs from The Clash. Part steampunk, part neon classic Betsey, the girls (and guys) broke the all the rules in once stuffy The Plaza Hotel on Fifth Avenue.

I was about to leave since I was feeling a bit like a dork with all the cool kids running around, like the little toddler wearing hot pink Doc Martens and homemade Indian headdress. Show off. Ohhh, Look at me! I made it myself!

But, anyway, I noticed a stage set up, so I stuck around.  And Im glad I did.  The 60-something rocking hot granny designer introduced Ida Maria, a Norwiegen singer with hair like Eraser Head who belted out punk-pop tunes. Ms. Maria was wearing sparkly leggings and a zip top from the new Betsey Johnson Archive by Opening Ceremony, which hit the boutique today.

Betsey is busy these days. In the week following her "unforgettable night of booze, babes and rock n' roll" as the party invite read, she will be designing an Eloise suite, based on the children's book character, in the recently refurbished Plaza Hotel. Yes, the hotel she desecrated the very week prior. She even gave the beloved character a make over.

Eloise Gets The Betsey Treatment- Spring 2010 MBFW

Runway shows offer editors and buyers an up close look at  the fabric, craftsmanship and true colors of  the designer's garments (Unless you are low on the fashion food chain like yours truly, then you are standing in the back of the venue, stuck peeping between shoulders of the others chairless attendees.)

But, part of the allure of the live shows is the energy created by the music.  So, if asked to stand, at least I look cooler than the "chair dancers."  Here are some of the most memorable tunes of Spring 2010 New York Fashion Week:

At G-Star Raw:

Word Up by Willis - Sung by a sultry female vocalist this song is a groovy guitar cover of  the 80's version by the funk group Cameo, fronted by the red acrylic cod piece-wearing Larry Blackmon.

At Geren Ford:

When Doves Cry by The Be Good Tanyas - Crooned by a chic with a voice similar to Natalie Merchant, this is a snare drum infused, folksy cover of, yes, the 80's  hit pop song by Prince-- who once rolled out on stage in a lattice-like assless yellow jumpsuit.

At Tuleh:

Poker Face by Walt Ribeiro-  An orchestral version of Lady Gaga's pop dance anthem, Poker Face.  Walt Ribeiro is on a mission to "make orchestra cool again."  A graduate of The University of the Arts in Philly, the music composition major turns popular songs into smart people music.

Enjoy this video of Cameo, live on Arsenio Hall.  The sound sync is off, but trust me, you won't be looking at Larry's lips. Now why wasn't this dude front row at the shows?